(April 2005) The following diary is by Dr. Benno de Keijzer, a physician and founder of the Mexico-based organization, Salud y Género, which specializes in gender-related educational activities in the areas of mental, sexual, and reproductive health. In the diary, Dr. de Keijzer explores connections between reproductive health and issues related to gender—the economic, social, political, and cultural attributes and opportunities associated with being male or female. The diary also explores the importance of using participatory approaches for organizations working at the community level and the importance of allowing women, men, and young people to define their own needs.

Men and Change—Socialization Can Be Stronger Than a Desire to Change

Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004

Just back from Peru where I conducted a workshop for 20 health professionals from several NGOs dealing with sexual and reproductive programs directed to youths in urban areas. This workshop is part of the dissemination in Latin America of our Program H: Working with Young Men, which focuses on helping young men question traditional ideas of what it means to be a man. Read on

A Magician-Comic-Ventriloquist Addresses Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Prevention

Sunday, Oct. 10

Before night falls, I am asked to attend an activity on Monday to be held in conjunction with the “Health Xiqueñada.” The Xiqueñada is a popular religious and secular feast celebrated in the nearby town of Xico. This activity is a follow up to a process promoted by the National Safe Motherhood Committee and carried out by Salud y Género in various states. Read on

We Already Know, Please Tell Our Husbands!

Monday, Oct. 11

I go to the office early and prepare for the 45-minute car drive to Xico for the health Xiqueñada. Today, my colleagues and I have the first meeting with community groups whose mini-projects were selected as part of educational and promotional processes to prevent maternal mortality and promote women’s health and rights. Read on

Seeing Health Problems Through the Lens of Women’s and Men’s Social Contexts

Tuesday, Oct. 12

Back in Xalapa, Mexico, I am negotiating the last details of my participation in the second National Workshop on Gender and Education, promoted by the National Institute for Women (NIW). It all began when I was asked to send the NIW 120 copies of “Once Upon a Boy,” an animated video with no words that follows the life of Juan from the time he is a baby (almost exclusively with his mother) to when he is a father involved in an unexpected and unwanted pregnancy with his girlfriend, Valeria. Read on

Questioning the Adult-Centered Approach Where Youths Are Seen As Problems

Wednesday, Oct. 13

Today we launch our Diploma courses in gender and health, which are directed to professionals of different areas with an educational and preventive perspective. With support from the MacArthur Foundation, we began these Diploma courses four years ago to try to offer our theoretical and methodological experience to professionals mainly in the health and education sectors. We have developed what we call a relational perspective that seeks to stress gender as a relational category that includes both women and men. Read on

I Ask Myself: ‘Where Are the Men?’

Thursday, Oct. 14

I conduct an afternoon session for therapists who work with couples and families, with a special focus on adolescents. My task, coming from a health and social science background, is to give the wide picture, the sociocultural context that surrounds the specific problems they find in therapy. Read on

Looking at Health From a Population’s Point of View

Friday, Oct. 15

A tiresome trip to Mexico City. I have tried to avoid traveling by night bus, but had to do it this time. It takes six hours to arrive in Mexico City plus an extra hour of heavy traffic to my family’s home. I get a little rest before preparing the last lessons for the week: a 30-hour course over three weekends in Health Promotion at the Autonomous Metropolitan University in Mexico City. Read on

Questioning Stereotypes, Attitudes, and Solutions in Traditional Health Education

Saturday, Oct. 16

After an hour-long drive, I arrive at the University for the second session. With some resistance, I accept Connie’s proposal for some “invisible theater.” The objective of this “invisible theater” is to allow people to believe it is not a representation and to react freely to material presented as “excellent” in a way that encourages participation by the professor. Read on

Handing out information on sexual and reproductive health and rights to young men at a youth festival in Xalapa´s central park.

“What is necessary for change to come about? What is the specific importance of socialization, especially a rigid socialization? These questions have everything to do with whether or not men’s behaviors will change with respect to issues such as sexuality, violence, and fathering.”

Scene from an interstate youth forum held by Salud y Genero on sexual and reproductive health and rights.

“We have developed what we call a relational perspective that seeks to stress gender as a relational category that includes both women and men.”

Carmen Flores from Salud y Genero explains to students how to use the female condom.

“We question the adult-centered approach where youths are seen as problems themselves, as objects of educational processes where imposition is common.”