Global Alliance Promoting Male Involvement Gains Visibility and Expands Regional Networks

EngenderHealth is a co-founding member of MenEngage, an international alliance committed to research, interventions, and policy initiatives that engage men and boys to reduce gender inequalities and promote the health and well-being of women, men, and children. Through building global, regional, and countrywide networks for learning and leadership, MenEngage aims to increase the number of men and boys reached by programs that promote and involve them in gender equality and violence prevention.

Established in 2006, MenEngage includes several major international organizations as well as local and national groups. Other founding members of MenEngage include Instituto Promundo (Brazil), Save the Children–Sweden, Sahayog (India), the Family Violence Prevention Fund (the United States), and the International Planned Parenthood Federation.

MenEngage is currently building membership networks in five different regions: Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, South Asia, Europe, and North America. Two consultation meetings have already been held, in Dar-es-Salaam and Kathmandu, where regional and country-wide professional networks were established and continue to flourish. A meeting in Latin America is scheduled for Summer 2007.

MenEngage has already attracted considerable attention in the international community. At the regional consultation meeting in Kathmandu, MenEngage was invited to become a partner with the United Nations Development Fund for Women, the United Nations Population Fund, and the United Nations Development Programme in a five-year campaign to end gender-based violence in South Asia. Members of MenEngage will also participate in a panel at this month’s United Nations Commission on the Status of Women meeting in New York City.

Organizations interested in joining MenEngage or individuals who would like more information about the alliance may visit www.MenEngage.org or e-mail menengage@engenderhealth.org.