The Global Symposium on Engaging Men and Boys in Gender
Equality will take place in Rio de Janeiro, March 30 –
April 3, 2009. Four hundred fifty participants from around the world will share
their work in applied research, policy, and program development. Their
work challenges rigid gender norms and engages men and boys in reducing
violence against women and girls, promoting sexual and reproductive health,
HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, and fatherhood and caregiving.
The four day
Symposium will promote exchange, debate, and planning for action. The event
will include:
- Plenary
and breakout sessions on men and violence; men and health; and men,
caregiving, and fatherhood;
- Skills
building workshops, abstract presentations, and a Global Village
showcasing the work of NGOs, United Nations agencies, governments,
foundations and universities; and
- An
analysis of current advances in policy that engages men and boys in
gender equality. The Symposium will include presentations by policymakers
from countries including Brazil, Canada, Norway, South Africa, and Sweden.
The
Symposium will also develop a “Call to Action” for governments to implement
policy that engages men and boys in gender equality. The final results of the
Call to Action as well as key conclusions from the Symposium will be available
after the event on the MenEngage website
.
The Global Symposium is hosted by an alliance of non-governmental organizations including Promundo (Brazil), Instituto Papai (Brazil), White Ribbon Campaign Canada, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the MenEngage Alliance, and Save the Children Sweden. The Symposium is organized by a steering committee of 22 organizations from different countries.