Complexities of men’s engagement in early childhood care and development in Africa

Abstract

ABSTRACT Men as equitable non-violent caregivers in early childhood care and development (ECCD) are important for the well-being of children and women. Africa, with its strong traditional and cultural practices, forms an ideal context to explore men’s engagement in ECCD. This article illuminates the entanglements of men’s engagement through a focus on barriers and attempts to effect change. The framing of caring masculinities is used to identify the fault lines and possibilities for men to rework their identities in more affirming ways for ECCD. The data for the study was produced through a literature review and two online workshops with participants from Anglophone and Francophone Africa. The findings show that barriers to men’s engagement include restrictive cultural practices, gatekeeping, and limited state action. Attempts to effect change are influenced by the overall under-development of ECCD as public service and resistant traditional cultures that naturally gravitate towards care as women’s work. Both these dimensions have implications for policy and practice.