New Book Explores Masculinities and Sexual Health Among Young Men

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UKZN, in collaboration with the South African Research Chair (SARChI) in Gender and Childhood Sexuality, the University of Copenhagen, and the Health Economics and HIV and AIDS Research Division (HEARD), hosted a virtual launch of Young Masculinities and Sexual Health in Southern Africa - a new book exploring masculinities and sexual health in the region.

The book features contributions from both emerging and established scholars. It was edited by Professor Deevia Bhana, the South African Research Chair in Gender and Childhood Sexuality at UKZN; Professor Morten Skovdal, a community health psychologist and professor of participatory health research at the University of Copenhagen; and Professor Kaymarlin Govender, Director of Research at HEARD and a research professor in the College of Law and Management Studies at UKZN.

The book brings together research on how young men in Southern Africa navigate issues of sexuality, gender, power, and health. Through chapters covering love, pleasure, social norms, risk, and HIV, the collection highlights the global importance of engaging young men in promoting gender equality and healthier sexual practices.

Presentations and discussions at the launch focused on the book’s thematic chapters, which included: Young Masculinities and Sexual Health in Southern Africa; Love, Pleasure and Romance; Social Norms, Masculinity and Health; Masculinity and Sexual Risk; and Masculinity and HIV. Contributors provided insights into the research underpinning each theme.

Bhana expressed gratitude to the authors and scholars involved in the global collaboration. She noted that the idea for the book emerged from long-standing partnerships, which also led to her collaboration with Skovdal and Govender.

One of the challenges, Bhana explained, was defining the term ‘young’. The editors left this interpretation to the authors, recognising that masculinity in Southern Africa is shaped by intersecting issues of violence, poverty, race, class, and structural inequality. “To promote sexual health and gender equality, we must address these harsh realities of masculinity,” she said. “This book explores not only these challenges but also themes of love, romance, social norms, and health - without ignoring the risks around sexuality and HIV.”

Book discussant and social psychologist, Dr Andrew Gibbs from the University of Exeter congratulated the editors and authors. He highlighted Southern Africa’s significance in generating knowledge on men and masculinity, particularly in the context of sexual health.

“This edited collection is really important and timely as it reasserts the importance of southern Africa not only for the protection of knowledge and ideas but also for thinking theoretically about this topic. It is good to see that this collection is not only seasoned academics but also some of the newer, emerging academics working in the field of men and masculinities, not only in South Africa but across southern Africa,” said Gibbs.

The book focuses on young men in countries such as Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho, eSwatini, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe. It offers valuable insights for developing sexual health interventions that acknowledge and embrace alternative forms of masculinity. It is aimed at researchers in critical masculinity studies, sexual and reproductive health, gender studies, and African studies, as well as policymakers, development practitioners, and activists.

To watch the virtual book launch and access more information about the book, you can click on this link.

The book was published by Routledge and can be purchased via their website.

Words: Sithembile Shabangu

Photographs: Supplied