Rural man challenged to take on care work in Zimbabwe

The latest Household Care Survey done by Oxfam in Bubi, Caledonia, Gutu Masvingo and Seke Districts show that though men do take part in some aspects of care work such as fetching water, cooking and taking care of children.

Their involvement in household care tasks are small compared to the time spent by women on unpaid care work this offers greater possibilities to get men to be more involved in care work.

Social and technical feasibility studies, social norms focus group discussions, and community dialogues on social norms conducted in all five districts reviewed great fears and anxieties in men around what communities think men ought to do in terms of care work especially in the public sphere.

It became apparent however that what men believe other men do, as well as what men believe other men think around what they should do are very important factors that act as a barrier to men taking on care work.

As Oxfam highlights the need to Recognize, Reduce Redistribute care work in a community dialogue and social norms focus group discussion conducted, quite a few men have emerged as care champions who are willing to take on care work and push this work forward through encouraging other men to embrace the change.