Breaking stereotypes: Male caregivers in the Lake region take the lead in parenting

By Basil

In the heart of North Kabuoch, Ndhiwa Constituency, a quiet yet powerful transformation is unfolding, one that is challenging stereotypes, strengthening families, and giving new meaning to fatherhood. Here, in the Lake Region of Kenya, a group of men is stepping into a space once considered off-limits: care-giving.

At the center of this movement is the Male Caregivers’ Camp, an initiative under the Lake Region Development Programme supported by ChildFund Kenya. These men are breaking generational norms, redefining what it means to be a father, and proving that care-giving is not just a woman’s job, it’s a shared responsibility that builds healthier children, happier homes, and stronger communities.

One of the pioneers of this initiative is Josephat Odhoch Otieno, a soft-spoken yet confident father whose compound has become a symbol of change. Standing outside his humble homestead, Josephat exudes a quiet pride as he reflects on the journey that brought him here.

“This is my home. I welcome you,” he says with a warm smile. But Josephat is more than a gracious host, he is a trailblazer. A founding member of the Male Caregivers’ Camp, he represents a growing number of fathers in the region who are embracing care-giving roles traditionally seen as women’s work.

“We teach ourselves how to raise children like men,” Josephat explains. “There are many men who leave parenting to their wives, but we believe in being present. That’s why we came together.”

The training offers a safe space for men to share experiences, support one another, and challenge social norms that discourage male involvement in child-rearing. With the backing of ChildFund’s Responsive Protective Parenting model, the group trains members on nurturing care, emotional support, and the importance of active fatherhood.

According to Mary Ochieng, ChildFund’s Project Coordinator overseeing the initiative in Homa Bay and Busia Counties, the program is making a significant impact.

“In Ndhiwa, we have 103 caregiver groups. Two of them are exclusively made up of male caregivers. This is something to celebrate,” she says. “For a long time, care-giving has been viewed as the responsibility of women. But these men are changing that perception by actively engaging in feeding, bathing, playing with, and emotionally supporting their children.”

Mary adds that this shift in mindset is also leading to more peaceful homes.

“When spouses understand and support each other’s roles, there is less conflict. These men are not just helping with housework, they are building unity in their families and reducing incidences of domestic violence.”

The impact is visible in Josephat’s own household. His wife, Hilda Odhoch, admits she was initially skeptical of the group her husband had joined.

“I didn’t know what this group was about at first,” she recalls. “But then he started helping me. He taught me how to raise a child, and now we do it together, like real partners.”

Together, the couple has created a model of shared responsibility. From preparing meals and washing clothes to comforting their baby and ensuring the home is filled with love and support, Josephat is fully present. And while some in the community mock him for performing "women’s duties," he remains undeterred.

“People say, ‘Your wife has bewitched you,’ just because I carry my child or change her diaper,” Josephat says with a chuckle. “But that doesn’t bother me anymore. I know I’m doing what’s right.”

Hilda adds, “Some people still talk when they see him cooking or taking care of the baby. But those who understand, they admire what we’re doing.”

The benefits go beyond domestic harmony. Fathers like Josephat are now role models in the fight against broader societal issues such as the “triple threat”, a term used to describe the rising rates of teenage pregnancy, HIV infections, and gender-based violence affecting adolescents in Homa Bay County.

“When men participate in parenting, they learn the emotional and developmental needs of children,” Mary Ochieng explains. “They are less likely to harm children, more likely to support their daughters’ rights, and better equipped to guide boys toward respectful, responsible behavior.”

Through its caregiver groups, the program also offers education on reproductive health, non-violent discipline, and the importance of safe, nurturing environments for child development.

“We believe the men trained in responsive parenting today will become the protectors of children tomorrow,” Mary says. “They will guide, not exploit young girls, and they will lead by example.”

The success of the Male Caregivers’ Camp has inspired many fathers to rethink their roles. What began as a small group of 10 men has sparked a broader conversation about masculinity, responsibility, and love.

“We are not perfect,” Josephat says. “But we are trying, one day at a time. And when you see your child smile because of something you did, that’s strength. That’s being a man.”

As more men in Ndhiwa embrace this reimagined version of fatherhood, they are not just raising children. They are raising a new standard, one that places compassion, partnership, and presence at the heart of parenting.

In a world still shaped by rigid gender roles, the fathers of the Lake Region are proving that caregiving is not a burden to be endured, but a privilege to be shared. And through their quiet revolution, they are building a future where every child grows up knowing the love, and strength of both parents.