Abstract

Over the years, the issue of maternal health has been predominantly seen and treated as a purely feminine matter. The involvement of men in ensuring and enhancing maternal health is actually a new idea, first hatched at a conference in Cairo in 1994, but not much has been done in practical terms in the developing world. This paper is aimed at examining the underlying problem that patriarchy in the African setting has created in relation to maternal health crisis in Nigeria, with particular reference to Rivers State (which equally holds true for other parts of Africa) and the need for men to have a change of attitude and become involved in contributing towards maternal health issues. The paper highlights some forms of cultural practices exacerbated by male dominance which affect maternal health negatively in Rivers State, and the possible roles men can play as partners in maternal health. This paper is not a research work, but a theoretical write-up based on the unwholesome circumstances women are subjected to, in the authors’ environment which greatly affect their maternal health. It is hoped that an examination of such situations will enable one see the need for male involvement in maternal health, not just in Rivers State of Nigeria, but in other parts of Africa where the patriarchal system is the order of the day in family relations.

Key words: Maternal health, men’s participation, reproductive health, maternal mortality, counselling, Nigeria.