Exploration of Metaperceptions Held by Men Enrolled in Rwanda Men’s Resource Centre Programme, Correlates Behaviours and Coping Strategies

Abstract

Background Men participating in the Rwanda Men’s Resource Centre (RWAMREC) programme, designed to challenge negative masculinity, have exhibited positive shifts in household responsibilities and collaborative decision-making with their wives. However, little was known about how these men believe non-enrolled men perceive them. Aim The study aimed to explore the metaperceptions of enrolled men regarding how they are perceived by other men in their community and it investigated strategies employed to overcome these metaperceptions. Method Using a qualitative approach, 15 men involved in the RWAMREC programme, selected based on their completion of a couples' curriculum on domestic violence using a gender transformation approach, were interviewed. Results The findings indicated that men engaging in traditionally feminine tasks faced societal stigma, being viewed as bewitched or not real men. Despite these challenges, many expressed gratitude for the positive impact on family dynamics. The majority of enrolled males were criticized and regarded as not embodying true masculinity; nonetheless, some concealed their involvement in certain tasks, and a few discontinued providing care after the being aggressed by the men who tried to protect their threatened masculinity. Conclusion The study concludes that the metaperceptions and defensive reactions of men protecting their threatened manhood may hinder the programme's goal of fostering positive masculinity adoption. To sustain the intervention across diverse organizations, positive masculinity promotion has to be included in the package provided to friends of family volunteers. Rwanda J Med Health Sci. 2024;7(1):46-62