The “Dads Can Do It” approach is part of the project’s Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) strategy. It emphasizes the active and meaningful involvement of husbands or men in supporting mothers and children during the critical first 1,000 days of life.
Practical activities for fathers or men include the following:
– Sharing Household and Agricultural Workloads:
Helping with household chores and farm work (rice fields and gardens) to reduce the workload of pregnant wives or mothers with young children. This allows mothers more time to rest and take better care of their own health and their children’s nutrition.
– Sourcing and Preparing Food:
Men can help search for or purchase a variety of nutritious ingredients for the family. Additionally, fathers can participate in food preparation groups or receive training on preparing nutritious meals for young children.
– Household Food Production:
Participating in the establishment of Home Nutrition Gardens, building fences to protect gardens, or raising livestock (such as goats for milk) to ensure the family has a stable and diverse source of food.
– Participation in Community Nutrition Meetings and Learning:
Joining special meetings for husbands to learn about nutrition and gender roles. Fathers can also participate in producing Multi-Media Peer Learning (MMPL) materials, such as recording videos of food preparation demonstrations or success stories from families.
– Providing Counseling and Home Visits:
Participating in home visit activities to receive joint nutrition guidance with their wives and discuss the division of responsibilities within the household.
– Supporting Participation:
Encouraging and facilitating their wives’ full participation in the Community Nutrition Group (CNG) and Self-Help Groups (SHG).
Indicators of success for this approach include the percentage of husbands who actively participate in household chores, agricultural work, and encouraging their wives to consume more nutritious food.
