Summary

This exploratory study on positive masculinity in a refugee context was conducted in July 2018 by CARE International in Uganda, Arua sub-office across three (3) refugee settlements of Rhino (including Omugo zone) and Imvepi in Arua district and Bidibidi in Yumbe district of West-Nile.

The objective was to understand more deeply and collect lessons learnt on how engaging men and boys works in the refugee setting, drawing from the experience of two ECHO projects and building on initial lessons documented from the UNFPA funded initiative in June 2017.

Deep cultural changes and transformation of gender norms do not happen in a short few months nor do they take place in a linear and gradual fashion. There are frequently set-backs, hardening of some position, relaxing of others, and often strident contradictions coexist in an apparent illogical way. Our aim was to uncover any first indicative signs of change taking place, beyond simply the people we involved in our activities. Realistically we did, or should have, expected that these indicative signs would include contradictions, set-backs and ambiguities. Embarking in this type of research was therefore an exercise in maturity by the team, accepting a level of complexity to come to the surface with findings that aren’t simply all positive or all negative.