MenEngage Africa: Progress Report to Sida

With the aim of effectively scaling-up work with men and boys to promote gender equality, prevent gender-based violence (GBV) and the sexual exploitation of children, and reduce the spread and impact of HIV and AIDS across Sub-Saharan Africa, Sonke on behalf of the MenEngage Africa network, coordinates this Sida-funded project in order to work towards achieving the following objectives:

1. Formalise MenEngage regional and country networks in East and Southern Africa and establish them as key networks for engaging men and boys in reducing gender-based violence and sexual exploitation.
2. Strengthen strategic alliances between MenEngage structures in SubSaharan Africa and other key partners, including especially children’s rights, women’s rights, LGBTI, PLHIV and other social justice movements, as well as key UN agencies, to carry out joint campaign and advocacy activities.
3. Develop a shared policy and advocacy agenda on work with men and boys for gender equality and the prevention of sexual violence in East and Southern Africa.
4. Implement the International Men and Gender Equality Survey (IMAGES) in two countries.
5. Support the development, launch and operation of a new ‘MenEngage Africa Training Initiative’, providing at least one hundred and five hours of training to MenEngage partners in how to enhance and scale up their work, and apply evidence-based approaches in engaging men and boys in reducing GBV and sexual violence.

This report provides an overview of the achievements and challenges faced in working towards these objectives across the period from April 2011 – July 2012.