Men Teaching Men To Be Better Husbands And Dads
An experimental program in Rwanda tried to teach men to do more chores, listen to their wife instead of bossing her around and get involved in raising the kids. Did it work?
Jean Marie Rukundo did not accompany his wife to the clinic the first two times she gave birth. Here in rural Rwanda, that was considered the duty of another woman, like her sister. His main job was farming — though his wife farmed too. After work, Rukondo used to leave his hoe with her and then go play cards with men in the village. Meanwhile, his wife went home from the fields, gathered firewood and water, prepared dinner, cleaned dishes and cared for their children.
But these days Rukondo helps his wife. He cooks, washes clothes and dishes and looks after their toddler. He considers her opinions on financial decisions like selling a goat; he never
