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Changing Damaging Behaviour

ByNetwork Learning
  1. Alcoholi and drug abuse
  2. Domestic Violence
  3. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
  4. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Most communities have at least one pattern of behaviour that damages those involved – the individual, the partner or the family unit. Changing such behaviour is not easy, but it is worth attempting if the problem is severe.

Usually the approach is to form a group of people with the problem and have regular meetings. You will need a good Group Leader and preferably a supportive Committee to help with the first groups.

With some problems, the group would continue to meet for the lifetimes of those involved: people who abuse alcohol, for example, usually do not say that they are cured – in AA they continue to call themselves ‘recovered alcoholics’ and go to meetings for the rest of their lives.

» See our article with guidelines on How to make a facilitated group effective.

1. Alcohol and drug abuse

» The best-known organisation here is Alcoholics Anonymous. They have a presence in nearly every country, but not all of them have established local services. If they do, you can start a group and get support. If not, they have a publication, the ‘Big Book‘ – look at it and think about starting with only local help. AA has a very strong philosophy that involves the idea of God but does not identify specifically with Christianity, Islam or any other faith.

» Hesperian have materials on preventing and overcoming drug and alcohol misuse. For example, in “Where Women Have No Doctor”, chapter 28 is about “Alcohol and Other Drugs“.

2. Domestic Violence

» See our manual Shedding Abuse – a course for Men who use Domestic Violence (49 pp. PDF/DOC)

 » In “Where Women Have No Doctor”, see chapter 18, Violence against Women and chapter 19, Rape & Sexual assault . 

3. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

» Facts about Female Genital Mutilation (13 pp. PDF)

» Many local organisations are now promoting ‘FGC abandonment’ and ‘alternative rites, for example safekenya.

4. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Unprotected sex with different partners is responsible for a great deal of the spread of HIV/AIDS. In addition, other STIs lead to difficulties in conceiving in later life for the women.

» Running a group: in Health Education for Behaviour Change on page 31 there is a Case Study of a facilitated group to help people treated at an STI clinic. The aim of the group is to change behaviour so that re-infection is less likely.

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