In 2008, the Capacity Project developed gender-equitable couples counseling materials and introduced them to service providers in selected health centers in Rwanda.

The materials support the National Reproductive Health Policy and the National Policy on Violence against Women and Children. The Project recently finished a follow-up study, which showed an increase in men’s participation in family planning (FP). Focus group participants and 11 of 14 providers interviewed described men’s role in decision-making for FP as having improved since the introduction of the materials.

Service statistics during the intervention period indicate an increased use of male FP methods, including a 19% increase in condom use, 11 vasectomy procedures in participating sites and a 20% increase in the Standard Days Method. These results are particularly encouraging since FP use was cited as a primary cause of violence between spouses during baseline data collection. Clients who participated in focus groups and 79% of providers believed that conflict resolution within participating couples has increased.

April 2009