Sonke Gender Justice and MenEngage Africa Policy Report Series and Policy Advocacy Toolkit

According to Sonke Gender Justice, evidence shows that if men are engaged in HIV and gender-based violence (GBV) prevention efforts, the promotion of sexual and reproductive health and involved parenting, there are great benefits for women, children and men themselves. Many men are already involved in these ways, but in order for widespread changes to take place, the engagement of men at policy level must be addressed. Sonke, on behalf of MenEngage Africa, have produced a set of national policy reports across the Africa region examining policies, laws and plans in the areas of: HIV and AIDS; GBV; Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR); parenting; and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and intersex (LGBTI) issues.

The reports assess the extent to which the policies contain language relating to the proactive and progressive engagement of men and boys across these critical areas for gender equality. Each report highlights findings, recommendations, and suggests policy language. The reports can be used as advocacy and programming tools, to strengthen a focus on engaging men for gender equality within national laws and policies. Their key audiences are national and regional civil society, policy makers, and decision-makers. Additionally, a Policy Advocacy Toolkit has been created and published by Sonke to support organisations wanting to conduct policy advocacy work based on the findings of the national policy reports.
Policy Toolkits are currently available for Kenya, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Uganda, and Zambia.
Click here to access all the policy reports.