Theory of Change Report: REAL Fathers Initiative

The initiative was developed as an integrated violence prevention project in northern Uganda in response to community members raising concerns that young men lacked role models and elder mentors to guide them during a key transition period in their lives. The REAL Fathers Initiative engages young men at a critical juncture when they become parents and partners, and are considered adults in their community. The program was developed, piloted, and evaluated in northern Uganda between 2013-2015, and was adapted, scaled, and evaluated in northern Uganda and Karamoja between 2016-2018. The initiative targets young fathers aged 16-25 years, who are on average 22-23 years old, with children who are an average of 2 years old at the time of the intervention. The REAL Fathers Initiative uses a community-based mentorship approach, where young fathers select trusted and respected older men in the community to be their mentor. Mentors participate in a transformative training on gender equity, gender roles and responsibilities, family planning, power, and violence, and conduct individual and couple mentoring sessions with each father they mentor. The seven-month implementation period includes one women's session to discuss wives' experience with the project, any challenges they are facing, and how women can support men in their behavior change. A concurrent, emotion-based public poster campaign reinforces learning from the monthly mentoring sessions and messages of community support for fathers' new behaviors. After the final session, a community celebration brings together young fathers, their wives, mentors, and community members to recognize fathers' accomplishments and encourage sustained changes. The REAL Fathers Initiative has demonstrated consistent results on prevention of IPV and violent discipline, with findings sustained one-year post-intervention in both sites. Fathers in both northern Uganda and Karamoja reported an increase in their interactions with their children, use of positive parenting practices, and improved communication with their spouse, with findings sustained one-year post-intervention. In Acholi, fathers reported increased voluntary use of modern contraceptives. A participatory theory of change consultation was held in sub-counties purposively selected for feasibility in both Karamoja and the Acholi sub-region of northern Uganda where REAL Fathers was implemented between 2016-2018. Group consultations were held separately with mentors, REAL Fathers, wives of REAL fathers, and community leaders. Additional group and individual consultations were held with stakeholders that guided the adaptation and implementation of REAL Fathers, including Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) program coordinators in Karamoja, local government community development staff, and staff with Save the Children and the Institute of Reproductive Health who previously coordinated REAL Fathers in the sub-region. The consultation followed a three-step process to engage participants in reflection and dialogue: listing, pile sorting with discussion, and ordering with additional reflection questions. Consultation participants listed and the facilitator recorded all the changes that they had experienced and/or observed in REAL Fathers families. Once finished, the group undertook a pile sorting activity where each of the changes were categorized as related to REAL Fathers or due to other factors, even if they were seen as indirectly influenced by the project. During the pile sort, consultation participants discussed their categorization and came to agreement. After the pile sort, participants ordered the changes related to REAL Fathers according to when they were observed. The REAL Fathers Initiative has been successful in preventing IPV and violent discipline, and increasing the use of family planning among young fathers. The initiative has also been successful in increasing the interactions between young fathers and their children, and improving communication between young fathers and their spouses. The REAL Fathers Initiative has demonstrated consistent results on prevention of IPV and violent discipline, with findings sustained one-year post-intervention in both sites.