Study on the role of men in access to reproductive healthcare and the fight against GBV

September 2025 - December 2025

As part of the PASFASS 2 project, Groupe URD is conducting operational research aimed at providing an in-depth and contextualised understanding of the endogenous factors that determine access to reproductive health services in the provinces of Mandoul and Logone Oriental in Chad. This study focuses specifically on analysing the role of men in access to reproductive health services and the fight against gender-based violence. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Funded by

French Agency of development (AFD)

This study is being conducted as part of the PASFASS 2 project. This second phase of PASFASS builds on and consolidates the results of phase 1 (2019–2024) and has the overall objective of reducing gender inequalities by improving sexual and reproductive rights and health in Chad.

Study objectives

The overall objective of the study is to analyse the role of men in access to reproductive healthcare and their involvement in combating gender-based violence (GBV).

The study is part of operational research and aims to generate new knowledge that will be useful in achieving the project’s results. It promotes the production of practical knowledge for aid actors with a view to sustainably improving reproductive health interventions.

Specific objectives

Assess the level of knowledge and involvement of men with regard to the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of their wives and daughters.
Understand the power and gender dynamics that influence the use of RH care and make operational recommendations to strengthen men’s awareness and involvement in the care pathway.
Identify the types of GBV most frequently perpetrated in public and private spaces (physical, psychological, economic violence, etc.) and analyse their impact on the health and social situation of women and adolescent girls.
Understand the social and intra-family factors that influence the persistence of domestic violence within communities, and identify opportunities for men to become involved in the fight against GBV.

Methodology

The methodology of this study will be qualitative in nature and will favour semi-structured interviews, focus groups and observation as data collection tools. The approach will be based on triangulation, i.e. comparing testimonies and data sources, in order to gather diverse opinions and data on the topic of men’s role in accessing SRH care.

It is based on an intersectional and participatory approach. It aims to create a safe and inclusive environment conducive to the free expression of the experiences and perceptions of the study participants.

The following structures and individuals will be met during the study:

Adolescents and men of reproductive age (fathers and uncles)
Adolescent girls and women of reproductive age (mothers and aunts)
Ministerial structures (Ministry of Public Health, Women and Social Action)
Village structures (traditional chiefdoms, administrative and legal structures, schools)
Religious institutions
Traditional practitioners (healers, traditional birth attendants)
Health structures (hospitals, health centres)

Photo credit: Redyn Coges.

Scope of the study

Three thematic areas will be explored in this study:

Gender-based power dynamics within households that influence access to reproductive healthcare.
The socio-economic determinants that contribute to the persistence of gender-based violence in the community and within families.
Ways to improve the level of involvement of men in the healthcare of their wives and daughters, as well as in the fight against GBV.