Across July and August 2023, the Knowledge SUCCESS East Africa team hosted their third Learning Circles cohort with twenty-two FP/RH practitioners from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, and Ghana. During this peer-to-peer learning activity, participants explored their programmatic experiences and uncovered insights into what works and what doesn’t in gender transformative approaches in FP/RH programming, with a special emphasis on male engagement initiatives.

The Focus of the Learning Circles Cohort

Through a consultative process among the members of our East Africa FP/RH Community of Practice, TheCollaborative, Knowledge SUCCESS hosted a Learning Circles cohort focused on Gender Transformative Approaches in FP/RH programs, with a particular emphasis on male engagement in FP/RH. 

According to UNFPA, Gender Transformative Approaches “seek to challenge gender inequality by transforming harmful gender norms, roles, and relations while working towards redistributing power, resources, and services more equally” between women and men. The Gender Integration Continuum from the Interagency Gender Working Group (IGWG) is a tool to help plan for and assess the level of gender integration in a project. When using the tool, project teams first assess if the project is gender blind or gender aware, and if deemed gender aware, they then decide if the project is gender exploitative, gender accommodating, or gender transformative. The goal is for program interventions to always be gender aware and to be moving toward gender transformative programming.

Through a consultative process among the members of our East Africa FP/RH Community of Practice, TheCollaborative, Knowledge SUCCESS hosted a Learning Circles cohort focused on Gender Transformative Approaches in FP/RH programs, with a particular emphasis on male engagement in FP/RH. 

According to UNFPA, Gender Transformative Approaches “seek to challenge gender inequality by transforming harmful gender norms, roles, and relations while working towards redistributing power, resources, and services more equally” between women and men. The Gender Integration Continuum from the Interagency Gender Working Group (IGWG) is a tool to help plan for and assess the level of gender integration in a project. When using the tool, project teams first assess if the project is gender blind or gender aware, and if deemed gender aware, they then decide if the project is gender exploitative, gender accommodating, or gender transformative. The goal is for program interventions to always be gender aware and to be moving toward gender transformative programming.

“Learning how best to implement gender transformative approaches will be a great resource to the work we do in the community. The ability to get insights, ideas, and solutions from colleagues from different countries was also an added advantage. It was truly an honor to be part of this cohort and network with everyone.”  – Learning Circles participant from Uganda

Challenges and Areas for Growth

Using the Troika Consulting approach, we asked participants to analyze the challenges associated with integrating gender transformative approaches into their male engagement or other  FP/RH programs and to use their local knowledge and expertise to devise tailored, practical actions to overcome them.

Challenge

Inclusive Information Sharing and Education: Finding the right language and framing that is inclusive of various gender identities and groups can be a complex task. 

Actions to apply:

1. Inclusive Language Translation: Embracing inclusive language translation that caters to gender minority groups can bridge communication gaps and ensure that essential information reaches everyone. For instance, instead of using the term “women’s health” we can say “individuals’ health.” This translation ensures that the information is not exclusive to a particular gender identity, making it more inclusive and accessible to a broader audience, including gender minority groups.
2. Co-Creation of Language Framing: Engaging in collaborative efforts to frame language that resonates with diverse groups and is accessible to all is key to successful information sharing and education.

Challenge

Reaching Special and Marginalized Groups: Reaching special and marginalized groups demands a comprehensive understanding of the landscape, particularly the institutional, community, and structural gatekeepers who play pivotal roles.

Actions to apply:

1. Mapping Stakeholders: Conducting stakeholder mapping with a gender transformative lens can provide insights into the missing groups and key players who influence FP/SRH actions. This knowledge helps build familiarity, garner buy-in, and ensure program continuity.
2. Training and Orientation: Offering training or orientation sessions, especially to groups like teachers and heads of institutions, when introducing FP/SRH education in schools can pave the way for more effective transformative outcomes.

Challenge

Fostering Multigenerational Engagement in SRHR Programs: Programs aimed at empowering young girls, boys, men, and women with information and access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services often encounter unique challenges in promoting intergenerational dialogue and participation.

Actions to apply:

1. Prioritizing Outreach to Parents: Consider prioritizing outreach to parents and promoting engagement between parents and teens through structured sessions. This approach fosters open dialogue and supports informed decision-making while also expanding space for both parents and youth to own the conversation.
2. Engaging Men Effectively: Engaging men in FP/SRH activities is valuable. Designing approaches that align with men’s interests, such as sports, reward systems, or targeted events, can enhance participation and awareness.

The fourth and final session of the Learning Circles series focuses on having participants reflect on everything they have uncovered and learned to craft an action plan. The action plans help solidify the immediate next steps that participants can take to improve their FP/RH programs in the region. These are framed as commitment statements, which are an evidence-based behavioral science method that help one to stay on track. The commitments spanned various themes including:

• Share best practices and expertise, including sharing content, hosting webinars, and talking to others about gender transformative approaches in FP/RH.
• Networking, including staying in contact with other Learning Circles participants to exchange guidance and information.
• Documentation, including writing press statements and blog posts and incorporating gender transformative approaches in content creation plans.
• Stakeholder engagement, including engaging influential community leaders and local and national organizations about gender transformative approaches in FP/RH.
• Capacity strengthening, including training colleagues on gender transformative approaches in FP/RH.
• Advocacy and awareness, including developing a social media campaigns, exploring community radio programming, hosting dialogues and community forums, and engaging men’s networks as allies and partners

As we wrap our third Learning Circles cohort in East Africa, we’re delighted with the peer-to-peer learning and sharing that we’ve witnessed among participants on priority FP/RH topics that are important to the region. Through these cohorts, we’ve also been able to identify individuals who are passionate about facilitating regional implementation of these FP/RH conversations and have joined  the Learning Circles Alumni group. Learn about how we worked with the alumni on this most recent Learning Circles cohort. To stay up-to-date with Knowledge SUCCESS’ work in the region, visit our East Africa page and be sure to join TheCollaborative.