How we improve policy on men's sexual
andreproductive healh (SRH)
Our focus
Men’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters (MSRHM) works to put men’s own sexual and reproductive health more firmly on the policy and public health agenda. We work across four interconnected areas:
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Research and evidence: Conducting and supporting research to better understand men’s SRH needs, experiences and gaps in provision.
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Policy and advocacy: Working with policymakers, practitioners and organisations to strengthen the inclusion of men’s SRH in health policy and develop practical policy solutions.
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Awareness and engagement: Building understanding of men’s unmet SRH needs, challenging stigma and increasing attention to these issues among decision-makers and wider society.
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Partnership and collaboration: Bringing together and supporting organisations and individuals working across SRH, men’s health, gender equality and related fields to strengthen collective action.
A comprehensive approach to men’s SRH
We take a life-course and comprehensive approach to men’s sexual and reproductive health, recognising that needs differ between individuals and change throughout life.
Our work encompasses issues including male contraception, male infertility, male sexual function and dysfunction, male reproductive cancers, sexually transmitted infections, HIV, sexual wellbeing and pleasure and relationships. We have a particular focus on male infertility and sexual function, given these are particular areas of policy neglect.
We recognise that men are not a homogeneous group. Our work seeks to understand and respond to different and intersecting needs, including those of boys and young men, older men, gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, heterosexual men, transgender people, men with disabilities and long-term health conditions, and men from different ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Our unique role
MSRHM was established in response to an important gap: the absence of a dedicated, comprehensive policy focus on men’s own sexual and reproductive health across the life course.
We complement the important work of organisations providing services, those addressing specific SRH issues or those serving particular populations such as GBMSM.
Our particular focus is on the wider policy ecosystem. We connect issues that are often considered separately, strengthen the evidence base, identify policy gaps and solutions - particular focus on male infertility and sexual function - and build the partnerships and political commitment needed for systemic policy change.