Out of focus: limited representation of men’s health needs in regional and global sexual and reproductive health policy

TL;DR

Men's sexual and reproductive health needs are largely ignored in global policies, which mostly focus on women's health.

Contribution

This study reveals the limited attention given to men's SRH in global and regional policies and highlights the consequences of this neglect.

Findings

Only 43% of policies mention men's SRH, and only 16% outline steps to address it.

Policies rarely include sex-disaggregated data or targets for men's SRH outcomes.

Men are often included only to improve women's SRH, not for their own health needs.

Abstract

Addressing men's own specific health concerns in the context of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) remains a largely neglected topic, despite growing levels of unmet SRH needs among men and the broader benefits of engaging men in the SRH of women and others. A comprehensive policy analysis explored how men are currently addressed and characterized within 37 key global and regional SRH-focused policies. Men's own SRH was found to be a significantly neglected policy issue. Less than half (43%) of the policies provided reference to men's SRH, and only 16% purposefully outlined steps to address men's own SRH needs. This contrasted with 78% of policies addressing women's SRH. Policies rarely provided sex disaggregated data nor targets on men's SRH outcomes. The inclusion of men was typically for solely instrumental reasons—in order to improve women's SRH. Men's SRH was best addressed within language on HIV and sexuality transmitted infections (STIs), particularly for men who have sex with men. Policy coverage was poor on men's SRH needs and roles in relation to contraception, fertility, sexual dysfunction, reproductive cancers, sexual pleasure, healthy relationships. and SRH-related discrimination. Only a quarter (24%) of the policies included a focus on one or more vulnerable male sub-group, with inadequate policy attention to the specific SRH needs of older men, disabled men, men living with serious health conditions, transgender people, and heterosexual men. An absence of focus on men's distinct SRH needs, alongside that of women, limits global understanding and visibility of SRH challenges particular to men, impeding the formulation of policies, programs, and funding priorities that sufficiently address men's needs. It also reinforces SRH as a women's sole burden and entrenches gender inequalities. Health policies should prioritize men's increased access to SRH information and care and better frame SRH as a critical part of men's lives.

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