DR congo: How Jérôme, a Neighbourhood Chief, Became a Model of Positive Masculinity for His Community

A Family Under Pressure

In his thirties, Jérôme is a father of seven and serves as a neighbourhood chief in Pleine B, a rural area of the LUIZA commune. Like many men of his generation, he was deeply attached to traditional customs, often saying: “A man is the head of the family.”
He left all domestic, farming and social responsibilities to his wife. Exhausted, with no rest or support, she frequently fell ill. The household income declined, and the family was on the verge of collapse.

“There came a time when I could no longer bear the burden. I told my husband that I was going to give up because my health could no longer cope,” his wife recalls.

The Turning Point, A Training That Changed Everything

As part of the programme to prevent chronic malnutrition, funded by the European Union and implemented by World Vision with support from the World Food Programme, Jérôme attended a training session on positive masculinity for neighbourhood chiefs.

“Everything that was said during the training felt like a personal message. I decided to change my family,” he recounts.

Upon returning home, Jérôme surprised everyone by putting into practice what he had learned. He began accompanying his wife to the fields, sharing household chores, and allowing her time to rest and recover.

An Inspiring Transformation

The results were immediate. In the very next farming season, the family saw a significant increase in production. With the additional income, they bought a sewing machine to support his wife’s tailoring business.

“Today, everything is going well in my home. We have regained stability and happiness,” Jérôme says proudly.

Despite initial criticism from some members of the community, who judged him as “being controlled by his wife,”Jérôme managed to convince those around him. He gathered them together to explain his approach, and gradually, several men in the neighbourhood began following his example.

“He spoke with his neighbours, and now many have changed their behaviour,” says one resident.

A Model for Community Change

Thanks to the training on positive masculinity, Jérôme has become a change agent within his community. His story illustrates how men’s involvement in family responsibilities can strengthen cohesion, improve health, and boost household income.