Evaluation of the Responsible, Engaged, and Loving (REAL) Fathers Initiative on Physical Child Punishment and Intimate Partner Violence in Northern Uganda
Outcomes: Gender‑Based Violence
View SourceKey Social Norms Take-aways The REAL Fathers Initiative demonstrates that targeting social norms around masculinity, fatherhood, and discipline through mentoring can significantly reduce intimate partner violence and physical child punishment. The intervention worked by addressing norms that justify violence in parenting and relationships, encouraging reflection on gender roles and expanding the perceived responsibilities of fathers. Over time, the program fostered a shift in attitudes and practices, indicating that well-designed, low-cost interventions can contribute to breaking intergenerational cycles of violence through norm change first.
Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the REAL Fathers Initiative in reducing physical child punishment and intimate partner violence among young fathers in post-conflict Northern Uganda by promoting positive parenting, nonviolent discipline, and healthy couple communication.
Methods The study used a cross-sectional evaluation design with baseline, endline, and long-term follow-up surveys. A total of 500 young fathers aged 16–25 with toddler-aged children participated. Measures assessed parenting practices, perpetration and justification of violence, confidence in nonviolent discipline, and gender attitudes. Logistic regression models adjusted for demographic and psychosocial factors were used to compare exposed and unexposed participants.
Intervention Details The REAL Fathers Initiative was a six-month mentoring program for young fathers combining individual and group sessions led by community volunteers, supported by a community poster campaign. Based on social cognitive theory, the program modeled nonviolent parenting and communication strategies. Topics included fatherhood, discipline, and gender roles. Mentors met with participants twice monthly and included partners in select sessions. Posters reinforced messages and public community celebrations supported norm change.
Results Exposure to the intervention was associated with significant reductions in justification and perpetration of intimate partner violence at both endline and long-term follow-up. Physical child punishment decreased significantly at long-term follow-up. Positive parenting practices, parent-child interaction, and couple communication improved among exposed men. Participants also reported increased confidence in using nonviolent discipline and greater rejection of violence-justifying norms.
Conclusions The REAL Fathers Initiative effectively shifted attitudes and behaviors related to violence in the home. By targeting young fathers during a critical life stage and promoting reflection on masculinity and parenting, the program influenced deeply held social norms around gender and violence. The findings support the scalability of integrated, low-intensity interventions to prevent violence against women and children in similar settings.
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