Ibrahim
When Ibrahim’s wife sought work opportunities abroad, he carried the challenges of being the primary caretaker of his two-year-old son, Datu Nursalam, alongside with doing most household chores such as doing the laundry, meal preparation, and washing the dishes.
Ibrahim, a volunteer teacher since 2003 and an MMH champion in SSB, shared his journey on the responsibilities of men in the household and the importance of men’s roles in care work.
“Meal preparation and doing the laundry are not solely women’s tasks. Men can also do these because care work does not choose any gender.”
As an MMH champion, Ibrahim gains more confidence as he speak to large crowds. He is happy to see that men in the community are also taking part in the household.
“We do not waste our time, we use it productively for our families and the community. If everyone, both men and women, values care work and cleanliness inside and outside of our homes, illnesses can be mitigated.”
Men and women in SSB work hand-in-hand to ensure that their community is safe from diseases, particularly from the COVID-19 pandemic.
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This story is written by Princess Taroza and is part of the UNILEVER/DFID Hygiene Behaviour Change Coalition (HBCC) Project implemented by Oxfam, Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM), United Youth of the Philippines – Women (UnYPhil-Women), and Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services (IDEALS, Inc.) in Maguindanao.
