Yaari Dosti: A Training Manual

Abstract

Yari-Dosti: Young Men Redefine Masculinity, a training manual developed by the Population Council in collaboration with Instituto PROMUNDO, CORO for Literacy, MAMTA - Health Institute for Mother and Child and DAUD, is an important resource for government and non-government organizations (NGOs) that aim to promote gender equity and address masculinity as a strategy for the prevention of HIV infection. A significant feature of this Manual is that it has been validated through community-based research in several urban and rural areas of India where it is now being used. The Manual is adapted from a program entitled “Program H: Working with Young Men Series” that was developed in Brazil by Instituto PROMUNDO and was evaluated by the Population Council. It promotes the positive aspects of masculinity, encourages men’s participation in sexual and reproductive health, promotes respect for sexual diversity and improves the understanding of the body and sexuality. In this Manual, HIV prevention is addressed within the larger framework of gender roles and relationships.