Masculinities and sexual and reproductive health and rights: a global research priority setting exercise

Engaging men and boys in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and doing so in a way that challenges harmful masculinities, is neglected but is vital for improving the SRHR of both women and men. To address this gap, the World Health Organization commissioned this global research priority setting exercise on ‘Masculinities and SRHR’. The exercise adapted the Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative priority setting methodology by combining it with qualitative participatory methods. Informed also by feminist and decolonial perspectives, over 200 diverse stakeholders from 60 countries across all regions participated. The exercise forges a collaborative research agenda emphasising four key areas: gender-transformative approaches to men’s/boys’ engagement in SRHR; applied research to deliver services addressing diversity in SRHR among men and women and to generate gender-equality; research designs to support participation of target audiences and reach to policymakers; and research addressing the priorities of those in lower and middle-income countries.