Sexual and reproductive health and rights provide universal availability to quality services, which help to prevent maternal, neonatal deaths, and also help to address reproductive tract infections and other related needs, and uplift the health and human rights of all women, girls, and adolescents [1]. Men's involvement in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services is a crucial part for couples and their own SRH needs and rights. Engaging men in sexual and reproductive health helps them support family planning, share responsibility for healthy sexuality, improve maternal and child health, prevent disease transmission, and advocate for reproductive rights for all [2]. Male involvement in reproductive health also helps to reduce the adverse effects of sexual and reproductive outcomes, and increase family wellbeing and service utilization [3]. Women in developing regions, especially in most African countries, face significantly poorer reproductive health outcomes compared to those in developed countries, with higher risks of death from maternal, perinatal, and communicable diseases [4]. A scoping review in the Sub-Saharan African region found that male involvement is positively associated with improved reproductive health outcomes [5].  

A qualitative study from rural Nepal found that a potential male involvement significantly improves the reproductive, maternal, and neonatal health outcomes [6]. But a study conducted in urban areas of Lalitpur revealed that a limited male is involved in reproductive health. Sociocultural, psychological norms, lack of education, misinformation, and the dominance of females were major factors hindering male involvement [7]. The main challenges that prevent men from getting involved in maternal health are often a lack of knowledge, fear of social judgment, feelings of shyness or embarrassment, and work-related responsibilities that limit their time and participation [8]. Many clients of sexual and reproductive health services and rights still lack access to services of contraception, maternal and child health care, and HIV/AIDS care, even 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other initiatives have led to notable progress [9]. Several factors are hindering the involvement of men in SRHS in Nepal such as social stigma, cultural issues, and financial restrictions [10].   So, this short reflection tries to point out the experiences of male involvement in sexual and reproductive health right at the basics of personal, family, and broader social perspectives.  

After getting married, I chose to take responsibility for family planning by using barrier methods, natural methods, and interruption for ejaculation methods as I was concerned about the possible side effects of hormonal contraceptives on her health. For the first three years, we didn’t conceive. Instead of asking her to undergo tests, I decided to get my sperm tested. The result of no conception was due to low sperm count and infection, and thankfully, she became pregnant after proper treatment.  During the pregnancy, I supported her side, fully supported her rearing and caring, took her to antenatal check-ups, and did my best to support her emotionally, physically, and mentally. After nine months, we were blessed with a healthy baby weighing 2800 grams through a normal delivery. The postnatal period also went smoothly overall, but we did face a small challenge; our baby wasn’t able to finish all the breast milk, which caused some breast engorgement and the risk of mastitis. We used a breast pump to release the excess milk, and that helped ease her discomfort. Going through all these stages together made me realize how important a supportive partner is in every step of the reproductive journey.

Every woman expects their husband will always support them during their reproductive and sexual health journey. Man, involvement in reproductive and sexual health and rights is important for every woman and crucial for her life. I want to remember the event in my youth in late 1990 in rural Chitwan, Shivanagar Village Development Committee, Nepal.  Due to a delay in care seeking during childbearing time, the delivery happened on the road. There were no ambulances, no proper roads, no proper means of communication, and no electricity. The time was about 2:30 am, a neighbor who had completed her nine months of pregnancy, went into labor pains, and began crying out in pain. Her husband was not at home, that time, and the situation quickly became urgent. At my mother’s request, I ran nearly a kilometer in the dark to find any kind of transport. Eventually, I convinced the driver of a power trailer to help us. The ride to the hospital was rough, full of bumps and jolts, and we lost precious time. It would be easy and supportive if her husband were at home at that crucial time. It was already delayed to refer her to the hospital. She gave birth near the roadside, just before reaching the hospital.  It was a December night, cold and foggy, and we quickly wrapped the newborn baby in whatever clean clothes we had to keep the newborn baby warm. A new razor blade was used to cut the umbilical cord and finally reach the hospital, where hospital staff provided further care and safely delivered the placenta. The mother and I were discharged from the hospital after receiving all care after delivery later that morning. I feel grateful that we managed to avoid any serious complications. It also realized to me that if her husband was present and supported her at that critical time, but it also realized to me how difficult and dangerous childbirth can be without timely provision of care, and how vital it is for families and communities to manage when help is needed. Now the situation has changed, the provision of road and transportation services has been extended to reach health facility, and the birthing center is open to serve, ambulance services are there and provision of telephone and mobile communication is established. Due to those service provisions, delivery service for needy women has been easy to access, and there is no chance of delay in seeking treatment. But this situation is not all over Nepal. Among the three delays, the delay in decision and the delay in transportation are most prevalent in rural hilly areas in Nepal. President Helicopter Services (ambulance) to uplift needy women who are suffering complicated delivery, the Government of Nepal provides a hotline telephone number at the recommendation of health workers in rural areas. These services also help to save a mother's life arising from the complications of delivery.

Men can be involved in various safe motherhood components, including family planning. As for my involvement in family planning by using the barrier method, a study from Ethiopia found that men can be involved either in decision making, approving it, using it, or supporting [11]. I also decided not to use hormonal contraceptives, which can be compared with the study by Mulatu et al. Another study conducted in Kathmandu found that men from higher income, formal employment, and primarily educated, and who came from the Hindu religion had greater involvement [12], which I can compare with. But another study conducted in Bungmati, Lalitpur, Nepal shows that the involvement of males in family planning services was low [13]. It might be due to low awareness and low attainment in education regarding family planning. Furthermore, from another study, high women’s autonomy was negatively associated with male involvement in pregnancy, and also joint decision making with husband and wife is positively associated with male involvement, such as accompanying wives to antenatal care, discussing health issues, and preparing for childbirth [14]. Another study from Dhading, Nepal revealed that most of the males were helpful and supportive of their wives during pregnancy and lactation [15]. With the contrast of these findings, my neighborhood women suffer and are exposed to an unhealthy area to deliver their child due to a lack of facilities and the absence of their husbands. Another study from Lalitpur, Nepal, revealed that men’s supportive role plays an important role in women’s decision-making regarding reproductive health care [16].  Findings from a recent review article revealed that males play roles as supportive partners, as clients, and as change agents for reproductive and sexual health rights [10]. Most of the existing literature was published almost two decades ago, and, with very few studies carried out in more recent years.  This limits the ability to draw conclusions based on recent evidence, and it is difficult to reflect current social and health dynamics.

This reflection underscores the vital role of male involvement in promoting positive sexual and reproductive health outcomes. Both personal experiences and peer observations reveal that when men take active roles, whether through shared decision-making, supporting their partners during pregnancy, or seeking reproductive health services themselves, the well-being of the entire family improves. The insights drawn from the literature also affirm that male engagement leads to better maternal and child health outcomes, though it is often hindered by sociocultural norms, lack of awareness, and systemic barriers. Despite some progress, male involvement in SRH remains limited in many settings, including parts of Nepal, due to persistent challenges. Therefore, empowering men with knowledge, addressing gender norms, and promoting joint decision-making within couples are essential strategies for advancing reproductive rights and achieving equitable healthcare. Future programs and policies must adopt an inclusive approach that values men as partners in reproductive health, without compromising women's autonomy.

This commentary has been prepared after a long time to share the male involvement and experiences of sexual and reproductive health rights. We are grateful to Kamala Lamichhane and Bidhya Shrestha, Asst. Professor, Central Department of Population Studies, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, for their encouragement to prepare this manuscript. We are also thankful to Arun Bhandari for motivating us to write this manuscript. 

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The authors have no conflict of interest.