Highly interactive and small group-based, Learning Circles provides the needed space for program managers and technical advisors working in FP/RH to virtually meet and explore, brainstorm, build, and share experiences and practical knowledge with a small, trusted group of peers in just four live sessions.
In between live sessions, participants continued to reflect and exchange knowledge and ideas with each other through WhatsApp. In this cohort, some posted their photos on what’s going well in their programs or shared relevant materials they created (like this video from Pakistan developed under the Aawaz II program that was shown to communities through local cable channels). Others shared their current strategies in engaging men and boys and their dreams for FP/RH in their country and in the region.
The start of the learning process
Within the first session, in addition to getting to know each other and setting expectations, each participant reflected on the biggest challenges for engaging men and boys in FP/RH in the region. Some of these challenges included:
- understanding FP/RH needs of men and boys,
- engaging men and boys in rural areas,
- insufficient local or national policies and programs on male involvement in SRH,
- FP seen as solely a woman’s issue,
- disinterest of men and boys in joining FP/RH activities and discussions,
- overcoming existing and prevalent gender and socio-cultural barriers that prevent uptake of positive behaviors, and
- lack of guidelines and tools.
Breakthrough Action’s conceptual model for engaging men and boys in FP called Know, Care, Do and the Passages Project’s Life Course Approach were used as guiding frameworks throughout all sessions. These tools helped participants discuss how to support men and boys in reaching the ideal stage of being equal partners, clients of sexual and reproductive health services, and agents of social change, and how to apply a life course perspective in FP/RH programming for men and boys.