MenEngage: Overview

MenEngage is an alliance of NGOs that seek to engage men and boys in effective ways to reduce gender inequalities and promote the health and wellbeing of women, men and children

Goal of MenEngage To build a global network of organizations and institutions with increased commitment and capacity to implement and document effective interventions with boys and men, and to take the issue into the public sector.... In collaboration with existing efforts to promote the rights of women and girls

Consortium of about +/- 500 organisations Regional networks in Europe, Latin America, North America, Asia, Africa … Global steering committee dimension

Original Members & Focus Areas Members EngenderHealth Instituto Promundo Save the Children-Sweden International Planned Parenthood Federation Family Violence Prevention Fund SAHOYOG White Ribbon Campaign UN: UNDP, UNFPA, WHO Men’s Resources International Int. Center for Research on Women Sonke Gender Justice Network Salud y Genero Focus areas SRH, sexual diversity and sexual rights HIV GBV/ violence against women Fatherhood Maternal Health Conflict Sexual Exploitation Engaging men as caregivers

Calls from the women’s movement for work with men Our belief that men and boys are key partner and change agents for gender equality Increasing interest and new organisations developing across the region Growing evidence-base.... but interventions still short-term, and small scale Need to promote collaborative work with men and boy on gender equality, and GBV/HIV prevention Why a MenEngage network?

Initial Objectives ADVOCACY & POLICY: To increase commitment (int orgs, government and civil society) to actively engaging men and in promoting gender equality CAPACITY BUILDING: To increase capacity, technical skills and leadership of existing and new projects RESOURCE SHARING: To share resources, tools and best practices

Some Core Principles Working as allies with existing women’s rights processes/movements Engaging men from a positive perspective Human rights and gender as relational perspective The vulnerabilities of men Building on the evidence base / existing UN mandates Collaboration and transparency

Global Symposium on engaging men and boys in gender equality, Brazil, 2009 Symposium call to action: emphasis on scaling-up, influencing policy, building evidence, collaboration with women’s organsations Men Engage Call for Action at the CSW 2013 Some highlights..MenEngage global

THE HEART OF MENENGAGE: Regional & National Networks Regional Symposiums across the globe Self-directed regional and national networks (50 at present) Affiliated with Global ME Alliance – developing criteria on what it means to be a ME member Minimum ethical standards – diverse membership Developing joint campaigns and advocacy on positive fatherhood & violence against women; research; policy dialogues

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