Are We Getting Any Closer to Including Men and Boys in Sexual and Reproductive Health? A Multi-Country Policy Analysis on Guidance to Action in East and Southern Africa

Int J Sex Health. 2024 Jul 8;36(4):464-483. doi: 10.1080/19317611.2024.2353624. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

There has been growing recognition of the need to address the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs of men and boys, including a need for more explicit guidance in domestic health policy and plans. This paper reports on a policy analysis, covering five East and Southern African countries, and discusses the extent and ways in which male clinical and non-clinical needs, and their roles in SRH are currently being reflected. It draws attention to the policy discourse, trends, and gaps in including men in the region as clients, partners and change agents to inform a way forward.

Keywords: HIV; Health policy; gender transformation; male involvement; masculinities; sexual and reproductive health.

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the UNFPA East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) under Grant number PSC/21/028. The funder had no role in the data analysis, the decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the funder.