This document discusses the importance of including men and boys in discussions around reproductive health. It notes that addressing gender inequities requires engaging men as partners. International organizations like ICPD have recognized the need for male participation. Approaches discussed that have shown success include peer mentoring programs with young men, community theater in Benin, and the Stepping Stones program which uses mixed-sex discussion groups. Lessons from projects in Ethiopia, Uganda, Bangladesh emphasize the need for collaborative, evidence-based policies and strategies to constructively engage men.

1. MEN & BOYS
IMPORTANCE OF INCLUDING MEN AND BOYS
IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH DISCUSSIONS

2. BACKGROUND
 Recently, there has been growing recognition among the
international community that addressing gender inequities in
health, promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights, and
preventing HIV and gender based violence at all levels in society
is not possible without efforts to directly engage men and boys as
partners in these processes.
 Gender norms—the culture-specific societal messages that dictate
appropriate or expected behavior for females and males—often
limit women’s ability to negotiate contraceptive use, access
prenatal counseling and testing services, and actively participate
in efforts to improve their livelihoods.
 Work seeking to engage men and boys has increasingly been seen
as essential to not only empowering women and improving women
and children’s sexual and reproductive health, but to improving
men and boy’s own sexual and reproductive health outcomes.

3. BACKGROUND
 International attention to men’s participation emerged
from the 1994 International Conference on Population and
Development (ICPD) in Cairo.
 ICPD Program of Action emphasized “male responsibilities
and participation” as critical components…
 Peer mentoring has proven to be a particularly effective
method for working with venerable young men (BRAC)
 No “quick-fix”. Investments are resource and time
intensive
Source: Health Policy initiative

4. CASE STUDY: ETHIOPIA HEALTH
POLICY INITIATIVE
 The USAID | Health Policy Initiative, Task Order 1, in collaboration with
civil society organizations (CSOs) and the Federal Ministry of Health in
Ethiopia, implemented a model process to facilitate an enabling policy and
institutional environment for constructive men’s engagement in SRH and
HIV prevention, treatment, and care
 The project drew on a conceptual framework that encourages men to
become more involved in SRH and HIV in the context of three overlapping
roles: (1) as clients of services, (2) as supportive partners to women, and
(3) as agents of change in the family and community (Greene, 2002).
 Lessons Learned from project:
 Policies and policy environment: Link international experiences to local context
 Networking: Strengthen local capacity to develop and implement equitable heath policies
 Dialogue: Prioritize collaboration and identify common ground for action to build
consensus
 Policy Implementation: Refer to local evidence and frame the message
Source: Health Policy Initiative, Constructive Men’s Engagement in Reproductive Health in Ethiopia,
2010

5. APPROACHES
http://www.unmillenniumproject.org/documents/Greene_et_al-final.pdf

6. Stepping Stones Community of Practice (CoP)- Men
as Agents of Positive Change
Non-SFF Partner ApproachNon-SFF Partner Approach
Stepping Stones is a communication, relationships, and life skills
training package with a focus on reproductive health and HIV prevention
that has been used throughout Africa and Asia. The training package was
developed between 1993 and 1995 in Uganda
Stepping Stones process involves working with peer groups divided by age
and sex, bringing the groups together to discuss their varied perspectives.
The program provides men with opportunities to improve their knowledge,
while also enabling men to hear the perceptions of women and to consider
impact of their behaviors (see next slide for detailed methodology)
Outcome: Increased knowledge of reproductive health issues, enhanced
decision-making and communication skills, ability to discuss sexual issues,
improved gender, inter-generational and peer relationships (Population
Reference Bureau, Three Case Studies: Involving Men to Address Gender
Inequities)
http://www.prb.org/pdf/InvolvMenToAddressGendr.pdf

7. STEPPING STONE PROGRAM
METHODOLOGY
http://www.prb.org/pdf/InvolvMenToAddressGendr.pdf

8. PATH-WORKING WITH MEN AS PARTNERS
 Benin- PATH has found that theater is a highly effective way to address
health issues—and even begin to change social norms—because it reaches
whole communities at once. In villages with no access to television or
cinema, and in which many people cannot read, it’s relatively easy to
gather a large crowd—often up to 300 people—for a performance.
 The theatre troop first visits the chiefs house to obtain a blessing (and
permission) to perform. In conjunction with local organizations, used
drama to persuade men to support their wives’ desire for contraceptive
use. Performances followed with discussion amongst male and female
audience members.
 Outcome: led to significant decrease in the number of children desired by
both men and women.
Non-SFF Partner ApproachNon-SFF Partner Approach

9. BRAC
o Uganda: expanding certain programming to include men and boys
for the purpose of enhancing opportunities for women and girls via
promotion of more gender equitable attitudes
oCurrent Programs: The Gender Justice Program trains men and
women to be Gender Justice Educators, and Community Action
Groups (mixed gender) protect vulnerable community members
oBRAC is developing market-focused skills training for boys in
Bangladesh/Uganda, Men as Partners Pilot through IMAGE
Approach, as well as broad-based ‘Social Marketing’ campaigns
oOutcomes: in process
SFF-PartnerSFF-Partner

10. NAGURU TEEN CENTRE
 Kampala, Uganda- widely recognized as one of the best equipped
youth centers in Kampala. The center provides free reproductive
health services and supplies to men and women.
 Provide counseling, testing, post-abortion care, and a toll-free
phone lime where young people can receive professional
counseling on a confidential basis. The toll- free line is especially
crucial for men. Statistics show that majority of callers are male.
 Outcomes: have been main providers of reproductive health
resources in Kampala. Men and boys call the hotline to discuss
issues they would otherwise not.
SFF-PartnerSFF-Partner

11. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Engaging Men and Boys." Www.brac.net. BRAC, n.d. Web.
Greene, Margaret E., Manisha Mehta, Julie Pulerwitz, Deirdre Wulf, Akinrinola
Bankole, and Susheela Singh. Involving Men in Reproductive Health: Contributions
to Development. Http://www.unmillenniumproject.org/documents/Greene_et_al-
final.pdf. United Nations Millieillennium Project, n.d. Web.
"Three Case Studies: Involving Men to Address Gender Inequties." Population
Reference Bureau. N.p., n.d. Web.