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To Save a Girl-Child, You Must Train a Boy-Child: A Note on Situational Irony

Author

Listed:
  • Emmanuel O. Amoo

    (Demography and Social Statistics, Covenant University, Ota 112104, Nigeria)

  • Mercy E. Adebayo

    (Department of Sociology, Covenant University, Ota 112104, Nigeria)

  • Michael O. Owoeye

    (Department of Sociology, Bowen University, Iwo 232101, Nigeria)

  • Matthew E. Egharevba

    (Department of Sociology, Covenant University, Ota 112104, Nigeria)

Abstract

Despite numerous initiatives and resources to save and protect the health and sexual rights of girls and women, the persistently high rate of unwanted pregnancy, abortion, and sexual violence in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has remain a topical public health challenge. This study hypothesised that the continuous conspicuous omission of boys/men in the interventions to combat this menace could be a long-life impediment to the realisation of sustainable health for girls and women in the region. The study adopted a systematic review of extant population-based published studies from Scopus, Google Scholars, PubMed, EMBASE, and AJOL. Literature coverage included the post-United Nations’ coordinated International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), Cairo, 1994, which marked the beginning of a massive campaign for women/girls sexual rights. The obtained qualitative data were appraised and synthesised towards spurring policy recommendations for gender balanced initiatives on the sexual and reproductive health rights in SSA. The study highlighted that unwanted pregnancy occurs only when a boy/man has unprotected sex with a girl/woman without considering her choice or rights. It is considered ironic that the dominant factors are boys and men but many enlightenment initiatives/campaigns are concentrated on girls and women. The study developed a schematic save-a-girl-child framework that illustrated the possible dividends inherent in the training of a boy-child to achieve a safer world for the girls/women. It recommends increase in the exposure of boys and men to sexual education and counselling, which can motivate them to be supporters of family planning, supporters of only wanted pregnancy, wanted fatherhood, marital fidelity, intimate partners’ harmonious living rather than violence, and wife or partner empowerment.

Suggested Citation

  • Emmanuel O. Amoo & Mercy E. Adebayo & Michael O. Owoeye & Matthew E. Egharevba, 2022. "To Save a Girl-Child, You Must Train a Boy-Child: A Note on Situational Irony," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:23:p:16313-:d:994527
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Emmanuel O. Amoo & Paul O. Adekola & Evaristus Adesina & Olujide A. Adekeye & Oluwakemi O. Onayemi & Marvellous A. Gberevbie, 2022. "Young Single Widow, Dynamics of In-Laws Interference and Coping Mechanisms: Simplicity–Parsimony Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-15, August.
    2. Romana Ulbrichtova & Viera Svihrova & Jan Svihra, 2022. "Prevalence of COVID-19 Vaccination among Medical Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-9, March.
    3. David Lawson & Mhairi A. Gibson, 2018. "Polygynous marriage and child health in sub-Saharan Africa: What is the evidence for harm?," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 39(6), pages 177-208.
    4. Farmer, P., 1999. "Pathologies of power: Rethinking health and human rights," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 89(10), pages 1486-1496.
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