The Untapped Power of Fathers in Families Affected by HIV

Why Focus on Fathers?. “Fathers are one of the best yet most underutilized child development resources.” - UNICEF1Low levels of father engagement, specifically in families affected by HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, is a critical blind spot that has clinical and social implications for already marginalized communities. Father involvement is associated with significantly improved maternal and child health (MCH) outcomes and is a key World Health Organization strategic pillar for preventing vertical transmission of HIV.2 However, father engagement remains suboptimal, with men underutilized and underrepresented in research, healthcare, advocacy, and policy.3 Father engagement covers multiple dimensions of parenting, including provision of financial and emotional support, physical presence, violence prevention, and involvement in promoting early development and health. Father engagement varies substantially across sub-Saharan Africa, and in some countries, such as South Africa, less than half of children live with their fathers.4