Yesterday, I sat on a panel I won't forget anytime soon. 🎙️ The BeBrave Forum, hosted by @TranscendAfric Foundation and partners, brought together voices to talk about something simple but urgent: the role of men and boys in ending childhood sexual violence. Fitting, considering we're in the month dedicated to men's mental health — because honestly, the two conversations are deeply linked. Here's what I shared, and what I keep coming back to: 🌱 Engagement isn't a one-time talk. It's a culture. When we work with young males aged 15-24 at CMI, we don't treat "protect children" as a separate module from "build healthy masculinity" or "manage your mental health." They're the same conversation. A boy who learns to name his emotions, set boundaries, and respect others' boundaries is already halfway to becoming a protector, not a perpetrator or a bystander. 🌱 Silence is the real enabler. SSP Mucunguzi Jackson said something that landed hard: "When you engage a boy, you have helped a girl." I'd add — when you engage a boy, you've also helped that boy. Many young men carry their own unresolved experiences of harm. Engaging them isn't just about prevention out there; it's about healing in here. 🌱 Ordinary people, extraordinary shift. Real change doesn't wait for policy. It starts with a coach correcting a "boys will be boys" comment. A father modeling respect at home. A peer mentor in a #GROW-style program creating space for honest dialogue. These are the moments harmful norms actually get challenged — not in boardrooms, but in everyday relationships. 🌱 From bystander to brave. The #PathToJustice isn't walked by perfect people. It's walked by people who choose to speak up even when it's uncomfortable — and we have to make that choice feel possible, not punishing, for young men. Grateful to Trascend Africa Foundation, Brave Movement, and fellow panelists for a conversation that didn't just talk about young men, but to them and with them. This is exactly the work CMI is committed to — holistic wellbeing for young males, because a healthy boy today is tomorrow's protector, partner, and leader. #EndChildhoodSexualViolence #PathToJustice #MaleEngagement #CommunityMindsInitiative

All men play a crucial role in preventing #GBV by challenging harmful norms, attitudes, & practices that hinder women's progress, toward ending violence & safeguarding their rights & opportunities to thrive without leaving anyone behind. #MaleEngagement #ForAllWomenAndGirls

Do men have a role in contraception? If yes, what are the roles and what barriers are there hampering them to effectively perform their roles? #TAYO2026 #Amplifying4Change #MaleEngagement #FunFriday

💙 June is Men's Health Month 💙 Mental health is part of men's health. Too often, men are expected to carry their struggles in silence. This month, we encourage men and boys to prioritize their well-being, seek support when needed, and engage in open conversations about mental health. By creating spaces where men and boys can speak, heal, and thrive, we build stronger families, healthier relationships, and more resilient communities. Healthy minds. Healthy men. Stronger communities. #MensHealthMonth #MensMentalHealth #MaleEngagement #MentalHealthMatters #HealthyCommunities #Hurukuro

Men in Korogocho came together to experience and reflect on unpaid care and domestic work through budgeting, market shopping, and cooking activities. The experience sparked important conversations around rising food prices, time spent in the market, transport challenges, and the heavy burden of unpaid care work often carried by women. Many participants shared how the activity changed their perspective, helping them better understand the daily realities women face at home. The discussions also highlighted how unpaid care work contributes to time poverty and the need for cooperation, proper planning, and sharing responsibilities within households. Men reflected on practical ways to reduce this burden, including redistributing household roles, investing in time-saving tools like gas cookers and washing machines, and advocating for supportive services such as accessible daycare centers. Most importantly, the engagement encouraged men to actively participate in unpaid care work, appreciate its value, and promote shared responsibility at home. Together, we continue to push for conversations and actions that strengthen gender equality, partnership, and balanced caregiving in our communities. @oxfamkenya #MakeCareCount #MaleEngagement #UnpaidCareWork #GenderEquality #Korogocho

😍 Students practiced the character trait patience for the opening activity at the @AllProDad's meeting with @NewCastleElem families! It was exciting to see dads and their kiddos working together to learn about patience! #MaleEngagement #familyengagement

☀️Thank you @KevinRickard4 for hosting the Garden Club's Service Project Day! It is great to see the dads, granddads, and other parents come out and help tend to the garden. The weather was great inspiration as well! #MaleEngagement #FamiliesWorkingTogether @Newtown_E

@Newtown_E's Garden Club Service Project Day brought out students and dads to help tend to the garden! It was great weather to inspire families to attend this event! #MaleEngagement

Through OMMI Okoa Mama na Mtoto Initiative, @ICRHK advocates for increased budgets for maternal & newborn health. Male engagement must be funded to be effective. #EWENE @DrPatrickAmoth @MOH_Kenya @MoH_DRMH @TrevorOmbija #MaleEngagement

Male involvement is crucial in maternal and newborn health, improving care-seeking, supporting timely decision-making, and leading to better health outcomes for both mothers and babies.#Okoamamanamtoto @DrPatrickAmoth @MOH_Kenya @MoH_DRMH @TrevorOmbija #MaleEngagement

Male involvement in Maternity is often not costed. How does quantifying male involvement in maternity care look like. The need to move from conversation to action is urgent. @DrPatrickAmoth @TrevorOmbija @icrhk_official #MaternalHealth #EWENE #NewbornHealth #MaleEngagement

From markets to doorsteps, community action drives vaccination in Montserrado. More men are stepping up, leading families to get vaccinated, building trust, and protecting children from measles and mPox.Together, we’re building vaccine confidence.#ForEveryChild #MaleEngagement

Male engagement is a cornerstone of better health outcomes. Together with the National Male Engagement Technical Working Group, WHO convened a two‑day meeting to develop the budgeting and implementation plan for Uganda’s National Male Engagement Strategy. #SRHR #MaleEngagement

Men are not spectators in the SRHR conversation, they are key drivers of change. In Olerai Village, men engaged in bold discussions on challenging harmful norms and promoting healthier communities. The work continues. ✊ #MaleEngagement #SRHR #EndHarmfulNorms

It was a priviledge to host yesterday, a powerful panel discussion with Lucie Nzaramba from Rwanda Men’s Resource Centre @rwamrec, shadding lights on how engaging men and boys drives gender equality and shifts harmful norms. #GEDSI #MaleEngagement #GenderTransformative

Engaging men in SRHR conversations leads to safer health choices, stronger partner support, and healthier families. Men are willing, eager, and essential partners in driving positive change. Inclusive SRHR programming delivers sustainable impact. #SRHR #MaleEngagement #Health

@VBFACE1 and @Newtown_E hosted a Donuts with Grown-ups event to increase #MaleEngagement and volunteerism. Students enjoyed a 🍩, conversation, coloring and games with their male role model! Books and daily motivation cards were sent home to continue the momentum! @VBTitleI

December 2025 offered important spaces for learning & reflection. Thankful to @IGADgender Director @xubbifarah for her outstanding leadership in convening the WPS #WomenPeaceAndSecurity & #MaleEngagement Workshops. Critical conversations! #AlliesForGenderEquality #WPSAgenda

ANM Suman is empowering school teachers to become #NSV&FP champions. She ensures that parents, staff, and neighbors engage in informed conversations that break myths around family planning. As a mentor to fellow ANMs and ASHAs, Suman is catalyzing change in #Etawah, #UttarPradesh and earning recognition from District Health Authorities. Discover her efforts: tciurbanhealth.org/anm-suman… @nhm_up @BMGFIndia @tciurbanhealth @GatesJHU @BayerIndia @HCL_Foundation @kenvue @SBI_FOUNDATION @educate_girls @Genpact @Niva_Bupa @tatatrusts @unitedway_delhi @cii4nr @CIFFchild @EliLillyandCo #PSIIndia #HealthSystemStrengthening #FamilyPlanning #MaleEngagement

There is no #Women, #Peace and #Security without #men as allies. Another strong step forward by @IGADgender toward inclusive and lasting #peace in the #IGAD region. #WPS #HeForShe #MaleEngagement #PeaceAndSecurity @DrWorkneh @Abdirachiid