Boys and Men also experience violence and exploitation that can increase their risk for HIV infection. Gender expectations and norms around masculinity can discourage men and boys from admitting ill health or seeking services such as HIV testing and other critical care and support services. Socialization of boys may cast them in roles of dominance and control, creating power imbalances between boys and girls that are carried into adulthood. These patterns harm both boys and girls and can result in a range of behaviors from increased sexual risk-taking and multiple partners to gender-based violence. Gender norms around masculinity and sexuality also put men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender persons at increased risk for HIV. (1)
Boys and young men are a critical part of the solution to ending harmful gender disparities. OVC programs can work to:
- Engage boys and young men as supportive partners and role models for gender equality. (2)
- Support program models that seek to address and change male norms and negative behavior. Strengthen community-based violence prevention and response programs.
- Promote youth programs that work jointly with boys and girls to strengthen understanding and communication and to challenge gender norms such as early marriage, male-dominated decision-making and transactional sex.