«To achieve gender justice, men and boys must act as allies of women’s rights organizations and other social justice movements. Equality is only possible when we work together.» This is the credo of the MenEngage Alliance, a global network working against misogynistic and patriarchal power structures. MenEngage Africa is part of this alliance, and since 2019, MenEngage Togo has also joined the movement.
The MenEngage Togo network serves as a national branch of MenEngage Africa. It emerged from the efforts of our long-standing partner organization, Alliance Fraternelle Aide pour le Développement (AFAD), and has been operating independently since 2019. As an umbrella organization, MenEngage Togo now supports AFAD and seven other NGOs from two regions in southern Togo that adopt a gender-transformative approach. These NGOs work with men and young people to challenge attitudes and societal norms that justify gender inequality and perpetuate violence. Their work includes activities like organizing self-reflective discussion groups. To ensure their work remains feminist and rooted in human rights, they rely on guidance from MenEngage Togo.
As a bridge between MenEngage Africa and local Togolese NGOs engaged in gender transformation, MenEngage Togo develops training programs tailored to the specific context of Togo. Additionally, MenEngage Togo is involved in political lobbying, advocating at the national level for progressive legislation and its implementation. One example is their work on incorporating comprehensive sexuality education into teacher training curricula. In 2020, MenEngage Togo also launched its first media campaign, highlighting new male role models through a photo series featuring men and boys actively participating in reproductive work—tasks such as household chores, childcare, and caregiving. Globally, these unpaid duties are still disproportionately borne by women and girls, and they are particularly time-consuming when activities like fetching water, lighting fires, washing dishes, or cleaning are done manually.
IAMANEH Switzerland financed this successful media campaign as well as an earlier national study on masculinity, femininity, and gender relations. The organization continues to support the development of the MenEngage Togo national network.
Partner organisation
MenEngage Togo, Lomé
Project phase
1.1.2023 to 31.12.2025
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