On March 17, 2022, the Interagency Gender Working Group’s Male Engagement Task Force (METF) hosted the webinar “Rethinking Men’s and Boys’ Healthcare Access and Use.” In this webinar, speakers showcased insights and learnings from global research and programming that supports men and boys in help-seeking behaviors and healthcare access and use across health areas, including family planning and reproductive health; HIV/AIDS; and maternal, newborn, and child health. Speakers also highlighted how to address gender and power dynamics and other social and structural factors that influence men’s and boys’ access and use. Read More
2021 IGWG Plenary Meeting Report
On Oct. 28, 2021, more than 200 participants from 40 countries joined the 2021 IGWG Plenary: “Exploring Gender Transformative Approaches: Lessons Learned and New Opportunities in Health Programming.” The event served as a springboard for stakeholder dialogue in exploring gender experts’ and advocates’ collective understanding of gender transformative programming, with the goal of coalescing on key findings and areas for future action. Key discussion points that emerged during the event are synthesized in a meeting report. The report also provides actionable recommendations for donors, decisionmakers, researchers, and program implementers to advance the utilization and integration of gender transformative programming.Read More
March Gender Knowledge Exchange Event: Office Hours Session With the International Conference on Family Planning Scientific Subcommittee
In anticipation of the conference, the IGWG collaborated with the ICFP Scientific Subcommittee to hold a gender knowledge exchange event on March 1. The event offered an office hours session focused on the open call for abstracts. IGWG members had an opportunity to learn more about the abstract submission and scientific review process, and gain insights into how to increase their chances for abstract acceptance.Read More
Mental Health Wellness in GBV Prevention and Response: From the Individual to the Systems Level
When health providers are not well themselves, they are less likely to effectively help others. Addressing the mental health of health providers as they provide GBV services to survivors requires approaches that strengthen the mental health wellness and resiliency of both individuals and their communities. This blog provides an overview of the mental health effects of care work and GBV service provision on health providers, approaches to support self-care and improved health systems, and policy recommendations for the future.Read More
The 2021 IGWG Plenary: Exploring Gender Transformative Approaches: Lessons Learned and New Opportunities in Health Programming
The 2021 IGWG Plenary explored the current state of GTP in global health and, specifically, family planning and reproductive health. This event aimed to advance debate and consensus on definitions of and criteria for GTP, as well as highlight the potential gaps or limitations; share insights into factors for success in applying these approaches; and identify ways that gender transformative program elements can better be applied to policies and institutional practices and strengthen government health systems.Read More
2021 State of the Art in Engaging Men and Boys in Health and Development: A Technical Marketplace
In September 2021, the Interagency Gender Working Group’s Male Engagement Task Force (METF) hosted the webinar, "2021 State of the Art in Engaging Men and Boys in Health and Development: A Technical Marketplace." This webinar showcased 11 examples of cutting-edge programming and research for engaging a broader diversity of men and boys as clients, partners, and agents of change across global health initiatives and programs. Presentations focused on diverse health areas, including sexual and reproductive health; maternal, newborn, and child health; HIV/AIDS; and gender-based violence. Read More
