{"id":13257,"date":"2020-07-17T13:36:40","date_gmt":"2020-07-17T11:36:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rnw.media\/?post_type=news&p=13257"},"modified":"2020-07-17T13:36:40","modified_gmt":"2020-07-17T11:36:40","slug":"real-men-change-nappies","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.rnw.media\/index.php\/news\/real-men-change-nappies\/","title":{"rendered":"Real men change nappies"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cIt\u2019s perfectly normal. If a man can get a woman pregnant, then surely he can change a nappy.\u201d That\u2019s the belief of Lemien Saka, editor and blogger for RNW Media\u2019s Habari RDC platform. The Habari team are currently in the thick of a two-month online and offline campaign aimed at promoting positive masculinity and fighting deeply rooted sexist attitudes in the Democratic Republic of Congo.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Using the hashtag #VraiMobali (Real Man in Lingala), Habari is partnering with local organisations Si Jeunesse Savait<\/a>, Afia Mama<\/a>\u00a0 and Sofepadi<\/a> to promote the campaign which includes a series of\u00a0 offline workshops with young people in cities across DRC. RNW Media\u2019s DRC-based Love Matters platform Amour Afriqu<\/a>e is also taking part and joining Habari in publishing a range of articles videos and social media posts.<\/p>\n

Rethinking masculinity
\n<\/strong>In a blog<\/a> discussing what #VraiMobali is \u2013 and isn\u2019t \u2013 aiming to do, Lemien Saka writes:<\/p>\n

#VraiMobali has always been identified in our society as being virile, not emotional, the one who provides for the family, the one who directs and dominates society. This perception has only contributed to building an unequal society in an era in which women are empowered and equal opportunities are advocated. Shouldn’t we rethink the concept of masculinity of the Congolese man?<\/em><\/p>\n

The campaign has attracted international media attention, with broadcaster France24 featuring Saka and other members of the Habari team in a video about their work.<\/p>\n