Strengthening Civil Society Organizations and Government Partnerships to Scale Up Approaches: Engaging Men and Boys for Gender Equality and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

Today, there is a sizeable breadth of research on the role of men and boys, particularly in the arenas of violence, health, sexuality, and masculinities. This body of research and program evidence demonstrates that the meaningful participation of men and boys in support of gender equality, as well as in the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), including safe motherhood and family planning, can lead to positive changes in their attitudes, perceptions, and behavior that benefit women and girls. In recent years, there has also been increasing recognition of the need to build program approaches and strategies to support the active participation of adolescent boys and young men that recognize the context-specific needs and vulnerabilities of boys and young men themselves and supports engaging men and boys as beneficiaries of and stakeholders in gender equality.

This tool is a living document that provides guidance on good partnership practices that promote strong relationships between civil society organizations and government representatives on engaging men and boys in gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).