Family planning in Senegal: The ANJSD engages men for sustainable change
The challenge: A load too often invisible
In many communities, family planning is still predominantly women-led. This almost exclusive responsibility generates a considerable ‘mental load’, which can lead to forgotten appointments, abandoned methods and sometimes unwanted pregnancies. A sadly banal reality, but with a deep and collective impact.
Our solution: A bold campaign
Faced with this observation, the NJSD, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Social Action, launched the campaign “Protective Elders”. Our goal is to integrate men—especially young men — into family planning strategies. Far from being mere spectators, we train them to become conscious and committed actors.
As Fatoumata Diallo, sociologist at the ANJSD points out: “It is not a matter of adding a burden to men, but of sharing equally that which has weighed too long on women.”
Our field approach for concrete change
Between 2024 and 2025, we conducted community talks in the 14 regions of Senegal, targeting men aged 25 to 30. These sessions address without taboos contraceptive methods, communication in the couple and mental load.
Initial feedback is encouraging: The involvement of men translates into better continuity of contraceptive methods, a decrease in tensions and greater complicity within couples.
“Before, I thought that the condom was just for young people. Now I understand that he can help my wife to rest between two children,” Abdoulaye, Tambacounda.
Towards a redesign of public policies
In parallel, the NAWL is developing local indicators to measure the evolution of reproductive masculinities. Our goal is to provide monitoring tools adapted to the Senegalese context, in order to inform the next national public health strategies.
Family planning can no longer be a monologue. It is a dialogue, a two-person project, a shared responsibility.
What to remember:
- A shared burden: The involvement of men is essential to lighten the contraceptive load that weighs on women.
- Positive results: Male involvement improves the continuity of methods and dialogue in the couple.
- A targeted approach: “Protective Elders” focuses on transforming male norms at the community level.
- A Future in the Making: The NSDJA offers monitoring tools to ensure that health policies adapt to gender realities.
Source: Article from Leral.net, “Family planning: And if men finally took their share”
