Since the 1990s, gender equality advocates have increasingly urged humanitarian and development organisations to engage men and boys as a complement to empowering women and girls. This e-learning course introduces participants to principles, strategies, normative frameworks and policy approaches that have emerged from this work. Examining critical concepts such as masculinity, patriarchy and intersectionality, the course discusses why a holistic approach is central to achieving gender equality and explores the relationship between gender equality, sustainable development and human rights. Through case studies, it will also look at how practitioners can use these key concepts to transform gender relations and overcome gender inequalities faced by women and men.

Participants will think critically about how men and boys can serve both as change agents and as target groups in realising gender equality and gender justice for all. This course will focus on the lessons learned by organisations that have carried out gender equality programmes that have engaged men and boys in fields such as gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health and rights, domestic work and caregiving, education, income generation and economic empowerment of women.

Course outline

Week 1: Men, masculinities and gender – key concepts and normative/legal framework

Week 2: Opportunities and challenges of engaging men and boys in gender equality programming

Week 3: Gender-based violence

Week 4: Sexual and reproductive health and HIV/AIDS

Week 5: Domestic work and caregiving

Week 6: Lessons learned and the way ahead

For more detailed information and online registration, please see www.hrea.org/engaging-men