WUNRN
REAL Fathers Initiative
REAL FATHERS INITIATIVE FACT SHEET:
http://irh.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/REAL_Fathers_FactSheet_2_pages_2014.pdf
Gender-based violence is recognized as a significant health and
human rights issue that prevents women, families, and countries around the
world from achieving their full potential. In addition to numerous physical and
mental health effects, early childhood experiences of violence are linked to
experiences of violence in adulthood. This is true for both boys and girls,
where boys who witness or experience domestic violence are more likely to
perpetuate relationship violence, and girls are more likely to be victims of
gender-based violence in adulthood. Evidence shows that programs that involve
men in violence prevention initiatives are more effective than programs that
target women and girls exclusively, and, because many of the risk factors for
future perpetration and experience of violence occur in the family unit,
involving fathers can have significant positive outcomes.
The Responsible Engaged and Loving (REAL) Fathers Initiative
aims to build positive partnerships and parenting practices among young fathers
(aged 16-25) in post-conflict Northern Uganda to reduce the incidence of
intimate partner violence and physical punishment of children. A mentoring
program and community awareness campaign have been designed to reach young men
before their expectations, attitudes and behaviors related to parenting and
relationships are well established. In order to address underlying causes of
domestic violence, the intervention is designed to challenge the gender norms
and sexual scripts that often trigger coercion and violence in relationships
and to teach effective parenting, communication, and problem-solving skills.