Millions of men a year are sexually violent towards women, girls, and other men sometimes in their own family or household. Worldwide, a recent report states that at least one woman in three has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in her lifetime. At the same time, a balance needs to be struck between recognizing how men's behaviour contributes to the epidemic and recognizing their potential to make a difference. As politicians, as front-line workers, as fathers, as sons, as brothers and friends, men have much to give. Men need to be encouraged to adopt positive behaviours, and to play a much greater part in caring for their partners and families.
Studies worldwide show that men generally participate less than women in caring for their children.
In terms of the AIDS epidemic, which has left over 13 million children orphaned , there is an urgency for both men and women to provide the love and practical needs such as food, housing, clothing and education for children who have lost their parents. At end 1999, 34.3 million men, women and children were living with HIV or AIDS, and 18.8 million had already died from the disease. The second is to encourage men and adolescent boys to make a strong commitment to preventing the spread of HIV and caring for those affected. And the third objective is to promote programmes that respond to the needs of both men and women. A ll this does not mean an end to prevention programmes for women and girls.