Brothers Respecting Others

In Nepal, gender inequality is a frustrating, even heartbreaking reality for Peace Corps Volunteers. Although many organizations are working to empower girls and women, few programs are considering the role that males play in gender and development. Many of Nepal’s greatest social issues—including child marriage, domestic violence, and reproductive health—have an effect on or are effected by male lifestyle choices.

To build the capacity of adolescent boys in becoming male allies for gender equality, we decided to develop a curriculum covering topics outside the Nepali school curriculum but essential for Nepal’s development. We dubbed the program Camp BRO (Brothers Respecting Others), after similar camps conducted in other countries.

The planning and execution of our Camp BRO was fraught with unexpected events. First, the April 2015 earthquake sent us home on a six-week administrative hold, from which one of the participating members didn't return. This hiatus also forced us to delay the camp. Having exhausted our funding bases from previous GLOW Camps and earthquake relief fundraisers, we were compelled to use the Peace Corps Nepal country fund to finance the project. The organization slotted for lead facilitation, fell through following the earthquake; thankfully, Peace Corps Nepal staff was able to connect us with our eventual facilitator. Due to heightened travel restrictions imposed by Peace Corps, the grant had to accommodate arrangement of private vehicles to transport volunteers to and from the camp. Subsequently, a month-long bandh, violent protests surrounding the promulgation of the constitution, an unofficial blockade of the Nepal-India border, and a fuel shortage forced us to change venues, seek out replacement guest facilitators, and reschedule three times. With the rescheduled dates’ proximity to our Close of Service Conference, an additional three volunteers dropped out. Due to transportation challenges, two of the volunteers who were selected to assist in a trainee capacity were unable to attend. Ultimately, the camp we conducted was very different from the one we’d initially planned.

But we pulled it off. In October 2015, five other volunteers and I conducted Nepal’s first-ever Camp BRO, a five-day program for 23 boys and 3 adult male chaperones that focused on issues of gender, sexuality, violence, reproductive health, mental wellbeing, and leadership in an inclusive, informative, and fun environment.The topics were presented by Nepali gender expert through a variety of learning formats, including group presentations on masculinity, a power walk demonstrating privilege, and role-plays on the negative effects of peer pressure. The program also featured a number of guest facilitators: two NGO workers discussed the challenges of living as third-gender women in Nepal; a family planning organization facilitated a three-part series on reproductive health, family planning, and HIV/AIDS, and a local school counselor provided training on mental health and communication skills. On the evening of the third day, participants stamped their handprints onto a Wall of Hope, pledging to alleviate rather than partake in gender-based violence. To keep the participants energized and engaged, the volunteers led games, energizers, and activities between training sessions; Frisbee, baseball, a campfire with s’mores, and a tour of the local tourist sites were all big hits with the boys. One of my boys even told me, “I never expected it would have been so great.”

Playing the roles of different members of society to see the meaning of power and privelege 

Jenisa from Blue Diamond Society shares her experience living as third-gender 

Learning about sexual health at Sangai Sangai's roundtable sessions

Teambuilding with our facilitators, Anuja and Kumar

Getting ready for a tour of Surkhet 

 34 of us pile into the minibus

 The dream team

 

My killer group of boys

Devoting our hands to combatting violence, rather than participating in it 

Our facilitator Kumar makes his mark 

Sarmila, a counselor at the local Kopila Valley School. discusses forms of communication

 Campfire and s'mores, a first for all

The boys were also active in their learning, taking on leadership positions throughout the week to manage the program, evaluate the sessions, report on events, and provide entertainment. On the final day, the participants worked in groups to plan activities that would transmit their newfound knowledge, skills, and attitudes to their communities.

From the participants’ evaluations and conduct, the change in attitudes and knowledge was clear—the boys departed Camp BRO with the tools to reconsider their definitions of masculinity, question gender norms, appreciate privilege, make healthy lifestyle choices, and think critically about Nepali society and their role in it. Through their future conversations and actions, the spirit of Camp BRO will ripple throughout the boys’ communities. Other Nepal Peace Corps Volunteers have already begun to discuss when and where they'll be holding next Camp BRO.

Thanks to everyone who supported our efforts to make Nepal a more equitable place for all!