Yaari Dosti: Young Men Redefine Masculinity: A Training Manual

This training manual is designed to promote the positive aspects of masculinity, encourage men’s participation in sexual and reproductive health, promote respect for sexual diversity, and improve the understanding of the body and sexuality. It is a resource for government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that aim to promote gender equity and address masculinity as a strategy for the prevention of HIV infection.

Developed by the Population Council in collaboration with Instituto PROMUNDO, CORO for Literacy, MAMTA - Health Institute for Mother and Child, and DAUD, this manual has been validated through community-based research in several urban and rural areas of India where it is now being used. The programme, Yari-dosti (which means friendship or bonding between men), is a behaviour change communication (BCC) intervention that worked to shift young (15-24 year olds) Indian men's attitudes about gender roles and relationships, with the ultimate goal of reducing HIV risk behaviours in low-income communities in Mumbai, India. 

The activities are organised around four key themes: (1) gender; (2) sexuality and reproductive health; (3) violence; and (4) HIV and AIDS prevention. The manual has been prepared through a three-year long participatory research process. It is published in Hindi and in English to encourage widespread use in India. It will, according to its developers, also be translated into other local languages.

Contents include:

• Section 1. Gender

1.1: Gender

1.2: Sexuality and Reproduction

1.3: Labeling

1.4: Objects and People

1.5: Domestic chores

1.6: My Emotions

1.7: Reason for taking a decision and related sentiments

1.8: Lottery of Life

• Section 2. Sexuality and Reproductive Health

2.1: Me and my body

2.2: Sexuality and Contraception

2.3: Reproductive Body 31
 2.4: Sexual Anxiety: Answer if you can...

2.5: Story of Raghu and Pinki

2.6: Erotic Body

2.7: STI, HIV & AIDS and Health

2.8: Didn’t I tell you so…

•    Section 3. Violence
3.1: Sexual Violence

3.2: Violence in Sexual Relationship

3.3: Diversity and rights: Me and others

3.4: From Violence to Respect in Intimate Relationships

3.5: From Violence to peaceful co-existence 

3.6: What do I do when I become angry?

•    Section 4. Living with HIV and AIDS and its Prevention
4.1: Story of Raju 

4.2: Signature Hunt

4.3: I am vulnerable when ...

4.4: Some people don’t want to use condom because...

4.5: Want...don’t want, want...don’t want

4.6: Testing and Counseling of HIV

4.7: I am HIV-positive: and what now?