The Unspoken Truth: 8 Things Men Want Women to Know

Understanding the Unspoken Needs of Men in Relationships

Relationships are built on communication, but sometimes, despite our best efforts, a gap can form between men and women. While conversations often focus on what women want or need, men may keep their inner thoughts and vulnerabilities hidden. This isn't always due to a lack of desire to connect, but rather a result of societal expectations or different ways of expressing emotions.

Dr. Sarah Jenkins, a relationship therapist specializing in gender communication, explains that men are often socialized to be strong, self-reliant, and less overtly emotional. This conditioning can make it difficult for them to articulate their deeper needs or insecurities. What they think but don’t say can be vital pieces of information that, if understood by women, could significantly improve mutual understanding and strengthen bonds.

Bridging this gap requires empathy and a willingness to look beyond surface-level interactions. Here are eight things men often wish women knew about them:

1. Their Need for Respect Can Be as Strong as a Woman's Need for Love

The Unspoken Truth: While love is universally desired, many men feel a profound need for respect in a relationship. They want to be seen as competent, capable, and valued for their efforts and contributions, both big and small.

The Impact: When they feel disrespected or constantly criticized, it can be deeply damaging to their sense of self-worth and their desire to engage in the relationship.

2. They Process Emotion Differently (Often Internally First)

The Unspoken Truth: When stressed or upset, many men tend to retreat into themselves to process their thoughts and feelings internally before they're ready to talk about them. This isn't a sign of disinterest or coldness.

The Impact: Women might interpret this as stonewalling or a lack of care. Understanding this need for internal processing can prevent unnecessary conflict and allow space for them to open up when ready.

3. They Appreciate Praise and Affirmation Too (Even for Small Things)

The Unspoken Truth: Men, like everyone, thrive on positive reinforcement. They notice and appreciate sincere compliments, expressions of gratitude, and recognition for their efforts, whether it's fixing something around the house or achieving a goal at work.

The Impact: Regular, genuine affirmation can boost their confidence, reinforce positive behaviors, and make them feel seen and valued, fostering a stronger connection.

4. They Have Insecurities They Rarely Show

The Unspoken Truth: Beneath a confident exterior, many men harbor insecurities about their appearance, their intelligence, their financial stability, their performance, or their ability to be a good partner/provider.

The Impact: Women might assume a man is always self-assured. Recognizing that they have vulnerabilities too can foster empathy and encourage a safe space for them to share their fears.

5. Sometimes, They Just Want Solutions, Not Prolonged Discussion

The Unspoken Truth: When a problem arises, a man's default mode is often to find a practical solution. If a woman is sharing a struggle, he might immediately jump to problem-solving, even when she just wants to be heard.

The Impact: This can lead to frustration for women who feel their emotions are being dismissed. Men wish women understood that this is their way of showing care and a desire to help, not a lack of empathy.

6. They Need Space and Alone Time (It's Not a Rejection)

The Unspoken Truth: Many men require periods of solitude or dedicated time for their hobbies to recharge and maintain their sense of self. This isn't a reflection of disinterest in their partner or the relationship.

The Impact: Women might misinterpret this as pulling away or a sign that something is wrong. Understanding this need for personal space can prevent feelings of abandonment and promote healthier boundaries.

7. Loyalty and Trust Are Paramount

The Unspoken Truth: For many men, unwavering loyalty and trust are foundational. Betrayals, even small ones, can be deeply impactful and very difficult to overcome.

The Impact: They need to know their partner has their back and that they can be fully trusted. A breach of this trust can severely damage the core of the relationship.

8. Simple Gestures of Affection Go a Long Way

The Unspoken Truth: Beyond grand gestures, everyday acts of physical affection (a hand on the back, a hug, a gentle touch) and verbal affirmation ("I appreciate you," "I love you") are incredibly meaningful and reinforce their connection.

The Impact: These small, consistent expressions of love and appreciation make them feel cherished and secure in the relationship, often more so than elaborate displays.

Understanding these unspoken needs and perspectives can transform relationships, fostering a deeper level of connection and mutual respect between men and women. It's about recognizing that while we may express ourselves differently, the core desires for love, connection, and acceptance are universal.

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FirstBank Women’s Network Empowers Future Leaders at Ola Girls SHS

The FirstBank Ghana Women’s Network organized an empowering mentorship and objective-setting event at Ola Girls Senior High School in Ho, reaching more than 500 students.

This effort is a component of FirstBank's dedication to supporting young women and developing their leadership abilities to help them face upcoming challenges and seize available opportunities.

The gathering aimed not just to motivate but also to provide students with real-world strategies and knowledge they can use in both their studies and personal experiences. The environment was lively, with students participating in dynamic conversations, sessions, and connecting with successful experts.

Victor Yaw Asante, the Managing Director of FirstBank Ghana, highlighted the significance of these efforts, saying, "our dedication to supporting young people is central to our mission. Guidance and setting objectives are crucial for growth in both personal and career aspects."

By supporting their capabilities, we enhance personal lives and play a role in the overall socio-economic progress of our country. I urge young leaders to seize every chance, gain knowledge from their mentors, and stay committed to their quest for outstanding achievement.

Mr. Asante, together with other important members of the FirstBank team, such as Grace Isaac Aryee, Treasurer and Chairperson of FirstBank’s Women Network, Ida Appiah (Head of Credit Analysis & Processing), and Herbertha Quansah (Head of Financial Institutions), brought a unique element to the day.

Naa Adokailey Amofa, Head of Human Capital Management & Development at FirstBank Ghana, provided insightful perspectives on career development and the significance of establishing SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) objectives. She mentioned, "currently, we have influenced more than 500 talented young individuals, providing them with vital skills and knowledge to manage their future careers. It is essential for these students to recognize that defining clear goals is the initial step toward realizing their aspirations. I urge each of you to dream ambitiously, back those dreams with practical strategies, and maintain perseverance when facing obstacles. Keep in mind, every major accomplishment starts with one small step, and we are here to assist you along this path."

Throughout the session, participants engaged in multiple workshops centered on leadership development, financial awareness, and building personal brand. They were given a chance to listen to accomplished women from diverse fields who discussed their journeys, obstacles they faced, and how they achieved their current roles. This experience not only inspired the students but also enabled them to imagine the possibilities for their own professional futures.

Jamila Isa Munkaila, the Area Head at FirstBank for Accra West, emphasized the significance of community involvement, stating, "initiatives such as these are crucial for connecting education with practical experiences. Our goal is to motivate these young women to follow their dreams and lead with self-assurance." The gathering also included interactive discussions where students posed questions and received advice from their mentors on the spot. This immediate exchange created a feeling of inclusion and support among the participants, highlighting that they are not isolated in their paths.

As the event came to a close, Mr. Asante highlighted the significance of investing in the personal and professional growth of the youth to collectively build a better future for Ghana. He encouraged all attendees to collaborate, inspire, and empower each other, leaving behind a legacy that will motivate future generations. He also praised the Women’s Network and expressed sincere appreciation to everyone who participated in this initiative, noting that their support brought joy, encouragement, and tangible assistance to many young girls, further demonstrating the bank's dedication to creating an inclusive atmosphere where all individuals can succeed.

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A Fighter for the Forgotten - Natalia Kanem's UN Legacy

As Natalia Kanem looks back on her eight years leading the UN's reproductive health organization, she doesn't start with worldwide figures, corporate achievements, or even recollections of her trips to refugee settlements.

She keeps coming back, again and again, to one specific picture: a ten-year-old girl—on the threshold of adolescence, her future unclear, and her rights still facing serious uncertainty.

Will she manage to remain in school, graduate, and navigate life successfully?" Dr. Kanem ponders. "Or will she face obstacles such as early marriage, female genital mutilation, or extreme poverty?

That critical issue and that young girl—not a specific child, but a symbol of the millions around the globe whose future is in danger—have emerged as the central focus of Dr. Kanem's nearly eight-year leadership.Executive Directorof the UN's agency focused on sexual and reproductive health, officially named theUN Population Fund (UNFPA).

Starting from her initial work on the frontlines in East Africa, to leading a $1.7 billion organization operating in over 150 countries, Dr. Kanem has guided UNFPA through worldwide changes, political challenges, and ideological resistance.

Above all, she has ignited a powerful transformation in the lives of countless women and girls.

This month, she is resigning from her position earlier than planned. "It's time to hand over the responsibility," the 70-year-old said to her staff—a team of 5,000 employees—in a recorded message earlier this year. "I have committed to doing everything within my power to ensure UNFPA remains capable of achieving remarkable accomplishments."

Roots and ascent

A native of Panama, Dr. Kanem pursued a career as a medical doctor before joining UNFPA in 2014 following a background in philanthropy. Choosing to contribute to "the noble mission of the United Nations," she initially traveled to East Africa and Tanzania, where she was deeply moved by the quiet dedication of local workers. "It's truly at the national level that we demonstrate our value," she mentioned to UN News.

However, the role was not simple. In 2017, when she assumed leadership of the agency, Dr. Kanem took over an organization facing declining visibility, uncertain financial support, and ongoing resistance from conservative perspectives. Despite these challenges, UNFPA expanded—not only in terms of funding but also in influence.

When I arrived, the story was, 'We're a small organization, struggling, and no one comprehends what we do,"' she mentioned. "Now, I believe it's more evident.

That lucidity emerged, in part, from what Dr. Kanem refers to as "thought leadership."

Whether addressing false beliefs about fertility or tackling technology-fueled gender-based violence, she brought UNFPA to the forefront of global conversations. "We operate in a marketplace of ideas," she said. "And we must present the truth in a manner that is persuasive enough to attract the support this movement needs."

With her guidance, the organization educated hundreds of thousands of midwives, provided billions of contraceptive supplies, and broadened aid efforts to support women and girls in the most vulnerable areas — including the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, war-affected Ukraine, and Haiti, which faced a cholera outbreak.

The involvement of UNFPA in areas affected by crises was both practical and meaningful. In regions like Sudan, Syria, and Gaza, a basic tent containing menstrual products, a blanket, and a bar of soap could offer a safe space. "It symbolizes the break that a woman requires during a crisis," she explained. "We refer to our kits as 'dignity kits' for this very reason."

Shifting the conversation

In addition to providing services, Dr. Kanem enhanced UNFPA's position as a leading voice in a divided world. She guided the organization into challenging public discussions—on teenage pregnancy, climate stress, birth rates, and cyberbullying—with a firm commitment to rights.

The 10-year-old girl is present," she said. "What her parents, religious leaders, and community believe is crucial for her to be adequately prepared, for her to understand how to respond when faced with coercive practices.

This leadership reached into data. Under Dr. Kanem, UNFPA made significant investments in supporting national efforts.censuses and building dashboardsto assist legislators in developing reproductive health policy through immediate data.

This year's State of World Populationthe report, the agency's yearly analysis of demographic patterns, challenged typical stories about "population decline" - highlighting that many women and men postpone having children not due to beliefs, but because they cannot afford to support them.

Dr. Kanem commended the selflessness of young individuals who claim they are deciding against having children due to concerns about exacerbating the climate crisis. However, this is not supported by the data.

The global replacement fertility rate is not threatening the environment," she stated. "The data clearly shows: you can have as many children as your financial situation allows.

A principle-driven guide during challenging periods

Dr. Kanem's time in office overlapped with increasing challenges to reproductive rights, rising nationalistic sentiments, and a growing distrust of global institutions. She encountered prolonged reductions in U.S. financial support—under the present administration as well—even as the need for UNFPA's assistance increased.

UNFPA has more funds than we've ever had," she remarked. "But it's never going to be sufficient to halt the rising demand.

Merely having resources will not guarantee the agency's future - credibility and perseverance are equally important. "The multilateral system has been called into question at a moment when it is more essential than ever," she cautioned. "We must constantly demonstrate our value. And when we make errors, we need to rise again, correct them, and seek out allies who will stand with us."

One such collaboration has involved the private sector. In 2023, UNFPA partnered with technology companies tolaunchA results-based financing initiative in Kenya, providing mobile-focused sexual health services to reduce teenage pregnancy and new HIV infections among young females.

Changing mindsets

The UNFPA has been actively working to put an end to harmful traditions like female genital mutilation (FGM) and early marriages. With Dr. Kanem's leadership, this effort has focused not only on altering legal frameworks but also on transforming societal attitudes.

Yes, definitely," she replied when questioned about the authenticity of progress. "It has been crucial to witness religious and traditional leaders opposing specific practices... and to collaborate with educational institutions so that the girls can recognize the dangers and make more informed choices regarding their future.

The _HREF=https://www.un.org/coronavirus">COVID-19 outbreak, she acknowledged, posed a challenge. As schools were shut down, certain communities saw a rise in the number of weddings and FGM rituals. However, in numerous nations—such as Indonesia, which has a large population—UNFPA has observed a decrease in the practice, partly due to young advocates raising their voices within their own communities.

New generation, next chapter

Looking forward, Dr. Kanem did not focus on uncertainty. Instead, she emphasized potential. "We have redefined ourselves, updated ourselves," she stated. "There is truly limitless potential for UNFPA."

Her future holds what she refers to as a "short break" - additional time dedicated to music, her family, and, ultimately, her own well-being. However, she won't remain quiet for long. "I am aware that my dedication to matters concerning women and girls will not fade," she stated. "It has been a labor of love."

Her last reflection? A final return to the girl at the heart of everything.

When that 10-year-old girl achieves success, everyone shares in it," she remarked. "It creates a better world.

Copyright 2025 United Nations News Service. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (Daily News).

Tagged: International Organizations and Africa, Refugees and Displacement, Africa, Women and Gender, External Relations, Conflict, Peace and Security

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East Africa: From Policies to Progress – Empowering Women Now

By Joyce Ojanji

When the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) funded- Growth and Economic Opportunities for Women (GrOW) East Africa initiative began, the challenge was clear. Across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Rwanda, millions of women faced the same barriers: unpaid care work, gender-segregated labour markets, and locked-out procurement opportunities. The initiative promised something different, evidence that could break these cycles.

For five years, fifteen research teams across the region spent years generating evidence, crafting policies, and proving what works for women’s economic empowerment. The GrOW East Africa chapter has now closed, and the evidence is overwhelming. Now comes the part that determines whether the five years of work will transform lives or gather dust.

The results speak volumes.

In Tanzania, women’s participation in public procurement jumped from 12% to 85% after targeted training. In Uganda, market-based childcare centres freed up women’s time for income-generating activities. In Kenya, the Kidogo childcare model not only empowered women entrepreneurs but also sparked the creation of Nakuru County’s first Child Care Facilities Act.

Each of the fifteen GrOW projects delivered policy wins. Some influenced national frameworks. Others shaped county-level regulations. A few triggered international conversations about unpaid care work and gender-based labour market segregation.

Patricia Wekulo from the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) smiled as she recounted Kenya’s journey. ‘’Nakuru County had no clear policy framework for childcare facilities before our study. Now they have legislation.’’

In Tanzania, Vivian Mkaazi, a senior researcher at the Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF), watched government officials participate directly in training sessions with women entrepreneurs. ‘’The Ministry of Gender embraced the project. They wanted to own it.’’

As experts rightfully noted, evidence and policies are only the beginning. During the GrOW End-of-Project Workshop held in Nairobi, Kenya, stakeholders came together not just to celebrate successes, but to interrogate what it will take to move from research to real change.

The answer, according to many, is clear: political will. Without it, all the evidence generated risks gathering dust on shelves. As Dr. Annet Mulema, senior program officer at the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), rightfully put it, without strong implementation, policies remain promises.

Gilbert Sendugwa, Executive Director of Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC)raised the question that hung over the entire workshop.

‘’What I would have loved to hear more about is how the political will was mobilized within these projects. Because that is needed everywhere. The how of mobilizing political will and maintaining it through the implementation phase—I would have loved to know more, knowing there are implementation gaps after policy creation,” he said.

According to Sendugwa, political will is not just about getting leaders to sign documents; it is about motivating them to take action, sustained commitment through budget cycles, administrative changes, and competing priorities. It is about enforcement when compliance lags. It is about fighting corruption when it undermines policy effectiveness.

The workshop revealed promising directions. In enforcement and compliance, regulators now have tools to ensure policy implementation. For scalability, innovative solutions like the Kidogo model prove that successful interventions can be replicated across contexts. Several projects identified cultural barriers as persistent challenges.

As Dr. Hellen Otieno from Strathmore University notes, changing norms requires multi-layered approaches involving communities, private sector partners, and sustained advocacy. The evidence base now exists to design more targeted norm-change interventions.

Women’s enterprises need formalization to access public procurement opportunities, requiring collaboration between government registration systems and private-sector mentorship programs. Several GrOW projects demonstrated successful models for such partnerships.

The workshop highlighted multiple collaboration opportunities. Research institutions can partner with implementing organizations to scale successful models. Government agencies can work with private sector players to formalize women’s enterprises. Regional bodies can facilitate knowledge sharing across borders.

But collaboration and research mean little without sustained political commitment. Political will grows when stakeholders see tangible benefits. The GrOW projects succeeded partly because they demonstrated clear value to multiple constituencies, not just women, but families, communities, and local economies.

Maintaining that political will requires continuous engagement, regular success stories, and visible champions at every level of government, Sendugwa noted. The evidence is there. The policies exist. The question now is whether countries will seize this moment to transform millions of women’s lives.

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