The seven countries of the EC/UNFPA Initiative for Reproductive Health in Asia (RHI) have a combined population of more than 424 million. Whilst approximately half of the population is male, their influence in families, relationships and communities is dis-proportionally high. Certain traditions dictate that women are subjected to the decisions of men, pervading almost all areas of their lives. The realisation of this dominance – followed by an appropriate translation into RH programmes – is of vital importance in view of women’s control over their sexuality and reproductive health.