A Policy Framework for Engaging Men and Boys in Family Planning Programs and Services

Agency for International Development (USAID), to strengthen policy approaches to engage men and boys in family planning. The framework is organized around men's and boys' three overlapping roles: family planning clients, supportive partners, and agents of change. Policies that engage men and boys as family planning clients focus on meeting men's and boys' unique needs as family planning users. These policies seek to create an environment that provides men with accessible and affordable male-friendly services and information, including for vasectomy. Examples of qualities of male-friendly services include nonjudgmental attitudes from providers, confidentiality, inclusion of community-led services, flexible operating hours, affordability, and informed consent. Policies that engage men and boys as supportive partners recognize the importance of a couple's shared responsibility for contraception and of relationships built on respect and mutual trust. They use strategies to include men and boys in family planning programs in a way that supports, rather than compromises, women's autonomy and decision making. These policies also use strategies to educate men and boys on women's reproductive health rights and direct programs to provide opportunities for men and boys to build empathy for women's and girls' concerns regarding family planning. Policies that engage men and boys as agents of change use strategies to engage men and boys as advocates and influencers to challenge unequal gender and power dynamics. Such policies direct programs to engage male role models and advocates to clarify misconceptions associated with male-specific reproductive healthcare and to encourage other men to take responsibility for developing healthy families. The male engagement policy framework is guided by seven underlying principles. These principles aim to ensure that policies address men's family planning needs while protecting women's decision making and autonomy. The principles also include evidence-based programmatic approaches, such as using multisectoral and integrated approaches, that lead to improved family planning and gender outcomes. The framework can be used as a resource for policymakers to design policies that support male engagement in family planning. It can also be used as a policy analysis tool to identify strengths and gaps in the policy environment for male engagement. HP+ has used the framework to conduct policy analyses in various countries, including a global policy analysis of national health and gender policies from 26 USAID family planning priority countries. The male engagement policy framework is a critical tool for policymakers seeking to strengthen the enabling environment for family planning. By engaging men and boys in family planning, policymakers can improve family planning outcomes, promote gender equality, and support the health and well-being of men, women, and children. The framework provides a comprehensive approach to male engagement, addressing men's and boys' roles as family planning clients, supportive partners, and agents of change. The framework's seven principles provide a foundation for policymakers to develop effective policies that engage men and boys in family planning. These principles include ensuring that policies address men's family planning needs while protecting women's decision making and autonomy, using evidence-based programmatic approaches, and promoting multisectoral and integrated approaches to family planning. The male engagement policy framework has been used in various countries to inform policy development and support policy assessment and monitoring. HP+ has conducted policy analyses using the framework, identifying strengths and gaps in the policy environment for male engagement. The framework's application has shown that it can be a valuable tool for policymakers seeking to strengthen the enabling environment for family planning.