Synchronizing gender strategies: A cooperative model for improving reproductive health and transforming gender relations.

Abstract

This paper explores gender integration approaches to sexual and reproductive health programs and policies to demonstrate why it is important to promote gender equality from a relational / harmonized perspective in sexual and reproductive It takes gender transformation to the next step to what we have communally termed ‘gender synchronization. By gender synchronization the authors mean working with men and women boys and girls in an intentional and mutually reinforcing way that challenges gender norms catalyzes the achievement of gender equality and improves health. The paper describes the opportunities missed by the benefits and constraints of approaches to health development that work with women or men alone in a siloed manner. Further it illustrates what separate but aligned programs and policies for both women and men and couple approaches look like; and describes the value added from addressing both men and women from a relational perspective in programs and policies that improve health by challenging gender inequalities.