📢 Call for Participation: “SWANA MenEngage Network”
ABOUT ABAAD
ABAAD – Resource Centre for Gender Equality is a UN ECOSOC-accredited organization that aims to achieve gender equality as an essential condition to sustainable social and economic development in the SWANA region.
Deadline to Apply: end of December 2025
Location: Lebanon and SWANA region
Who We Are?
The SWANA MenEngage Network will be part of the Global MenEngage Alliance, which is a community of organizations and individuals working together to promote gender equality, human rights, and social justice. The focus of the network is to engage men and boys as allies in the claiming rights for gender justice.
In the region, the MenEngage Network brings together civil society organizations, activists, and youth leaders from different countries. The goal is to create a safe and inclusive space where people can connect, share experiences, and take joint action.
This regional network will work on important topics such as gender-based violence, positive masculinities, and the role of men and boys in creating safe, equal, and caring communities. By working together, we aim to challenge harmful norms, support women’s rights, and build a future where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
Men Engage Alliance
MenEngage Alliance is a space for members to come together in solidarity with those most targeted by gender injustices and patriarchal systems to collectively dismantle structural barriers to women’s rights and gender equality. As a global network, we bring together people and organizations with a shared vision of a world in which gender justice and human rights are recognized, promoted and protected, where all people are equal and free from discrimination and oppression.
Voice
By coming together in country and regional networks, we are more able to express a shared, collective voice in solidarity with those most marginalized by gender injustice and patriarchal systems in their contexts.
Why Participate?
We are launching a regional initiative to strengthen collaboration across the region.
This initiative will bring together organizations and individuals to:
- Learn from each other through peer exchange and joint learning
- Work together on regional advocacy for gender justice and engaging men and boys
- Create a strategic planning and action plan that respond to regional needs
- Amplify youth voices and support their leadership
- Build strong allyship with men and boys to end violence against women
- Share local experiences and contribute to transformative work on masculinities and caregiving
Who Can Apply?
We welcome applications from the following:
- Civil society organizations and NGOs based in the region
- Youth activists and women allies who are part of organizations or networks working on gender equality
- Organizations actively working on gender justice, preventing gender-based violence (GBV), engaging men and boys, and transforming masculinities
- Organizations that operate across multiple countries in the region.
What to Expect?
Selected participants will:
- Take part in co-learning and capacity-building trainings, both basic and advanced. Topics will include: Gender roles and safe identification and referral of GBV cases – Gender integration and Gender-transformative approaches – Positive masculinities – TOF on basic concepts of masculinities and resources
- Help shape the MenEngage MENA regional strategy and action plan, including developing the network’s Code of Conduct and Bylaws.
- Access tools and resources that can be adapted to support national-level activities and advocacy
- Join the regional advocacy group to promote gender justice by engaging men and boys, and take part in joint campaigns across the region
- Become a member of the regional Youth Hub, which supports youth leadership and participation in gender equality work in the region.
- Participate in the regional Ethics Committee, which promotes transparency, accountability, and principles within the regional network.
How to Apply?
To express your interest in joining the regional Men Engage Network, please follow the steps below:
- Submit an Expression of Interest when you fill out the application: https://ee-eu.kobotoolbox.org/x/5eMJ20Tb
- Make sure to provide all the required information about your organization (official paper of the organization and NGO), including relevant experience in engaging men and boys, gender justice, or GBV prevention.
- Make sure to provide the CVs of the 2 focal persons that will apply instead of your organizations or NGO’S
- If you have any questions or need support with your application, feel free to email us at:
Spread the Word
- We invite you to share this call with your networks and partners who may be interested in this regional network.
- Let’s build a stronger, united front for gender justice in the region.
#MenEngageRegion #GenderJustice #EngagingMen #FeministAllies
