We asked MenCare friends and partners: “How do you encourage fathers to share the care work?” Here’s what they told us:
“For fathers who are motivated to teach equality and fairness to their children, sharing the care work at home is a powerful message for them. More influential than talking about equality is practicing equality by doing the care work. Your children will get the lesson.” – Oswaldo Montoya, MenEngage Global Co-Coordinator
“Love and respect – he learns it from you.” – Chris Green, White Ribbon Campaign
“We are looking to involve fathers in the process of pre- and post-natal visits of their partners or wife, as well as in labor. We are also encouraging them to involve other fathers, sharing their experiences with them and sharing the benefits of changing attitudes.” – María Eugenia Villareal, MenCare Guatemala
“At the fatherhood classes, discussions are initiated about: (1) The share of work of a woman and a man per day (24 hours). This helps the men understand the load of women’s work without pay. (2) The family being constituted of both man and woman (father and mother), and how both should engage in household chores and care of children. (3) The children feeling loved and protected because they see both parents supporting each other with care work. These discussions have helped men realize the importance of sharing the care work.” – Ashok Kumar, MenCare Sri Lanka, Ambagamuwa Area Development Program
“I encourage fathers to share the care work by pointing out their importance as caretakers and role models for their children; by clarifying the advantages of equitable partnership; by challenging them to reconsider the pros and cons of traditional men’s roles; and by asking them what kind of father, partner, and man they want to be, they want their sons to become, and they would wish their daughters and/or grandchildren to encounter in their lives.” – Jens van Tricht, MenEngage Europe
“Governments should implement a raft of concrete measures to encourage men to share parenting and housework responsibilities with women. These should include: developing statutory paid leave entitlements and encouraging men to take them up; tackling the gender pay gap which creates disincentives for men to be more involved at home; and establishing information and awareness-raising initiatives to promote paternal engagement.” – Sandy Ruxton, MenEngage Europe