The process of giving a full dignity to the opinions of women is slowed down by the fact that societal structures that places the opinions of men higher still remains. For instance, on many occasions’ women let their men decide for them in institutions such as the Panchayati Raj. And even though their voices are slowly being raised in the public sphere, they still have little influence in the domestic sphere on issues such as sexuality and reproductive health. Only working with half of the population is not a sufficient strategy. To speed up the gender equality process we need to sensitize the men too, and make them aware of how their behavior holds the women back. They need to learn how to consider the women as their equals, both in society and in the private sphere. SARTHI tries to sensitize the men on the situation of the women under a range of programs.

Since much of the village power is centered in The Panchayati Raj, it is a very important forum for gender equality. SARTHI has initiated various workshops/awareness camps for local leaders and Panchayat members, to sensitize them on gender issues. Consequently, the local Panch has begun think in terms of gender issues, which is a start. The goal is that women will be included in the Panch Body not only on paper but in practice too. In Panchayat meetings the women and men are now discussing gender issues. HIV/AIDS should be put on the agenda.

It is unmistakably important to sensitize the adult male villagers on gender equality topics. SARTHI has created a program for adults, with about 3000 adults included. Discussion has been held through meetings and workshops on sex education, gender, family planning, contraceptives, HIV/AIDS and sexual diseases, body knowledge etc, which helps to improve the women’s reproductive health as well as general health. Still they are sharing and having discussion on above topics with other adults. About 50% of the men stated that they could understand the situation for women in society and they have started to help the women for reducing their workload.

Usually women are the target group for trainings on reproductive health, as they in many ways are the victims of low levels of awareness on sexually transmitted deceases (STDs) and other reproductive issues. If a man gets a STD it is the woman’s fault, and if a woman gets a STD it is still her fault. In all reproductive matters women are the ones held responsible, but that does not necessarily mean that they have any influence over contraceptives. Men are not used to take any consideration of the outcome of their sexuality, but to really get any change in patterns this needs to change. SARTHI aims to shift the focus of responsibility for reproductive health from women to men. After receiving training by SARTHI, the men take sexual diseases seriously. Many of the men are using condoms, and before the intervention of the program nobody were using condoms. Some of the men state they are using it regularly because they think condom is a good device for controlling sexually transmitted diseases.

The practice of safe sex is of outmost importance for an improvement in women’s health, but it is not sufficient. Women do not have any control over their own bodies. The women need to become sexual subjects that are allowed say no to sex when unwanted, and have sexual needs and desires of their own. They need to be able to think of their bodies not as a tool for male pleasure, but as a tool for their own pleasure. All these things are discussed in the SHGs, but without changing the way men regard women and sexuality, it is hard for the women to do so. Therefore sexuality and relations is one of the most important fields of the sensitization of men.

As soon as the men begin to help women in the empowerment process and in their daily chores it will have a tremendous impact on the lives of the women. The aim is that men will start asking the advice of women on all issues, listening to their opinions, giving them economic responsibilities, helping out with the housework, sharing care-taking responsibilities of children and elders and taking their health status seriously. It is also important to open up a dialogue between men and women on feelings, their relationship and sexuality.