Important information about the updated Core Principles and Code of Conduct

All members of MenEngage Alliance are being requested to reaffirm their agreement with—and commitment to—the updated Core Principles and Code of Conduct of MenEngage Alliance. Please read this page carefully to find out more about this process and for the form to sign the updated documents.

This page relates to an important update for all members of MenEngage Alliance. All members globally are being asked to re-sign and re-confirm their agreement with the two key documents that are a key part of our shared ‘Accountability Framework’:

In addition to the Core Principles and Code of Conduct, members are also required to carefully read the updated Accountability Standards (although this is not a document that members must sign).

This process is for individuals and organizations who are already registered members of MenEngage Alliance. If you are not already a member but are interested in becoming a member, please email networks@menengage.org to request an application form. If you are not sure if you are a member or not, you can also email networks@menengage.org for clarification.

Please read the information below about this process. To go to the form to review and sign the documents, click here.

Why are members being asked to re-sign these documents?

As a member of MenEngage Alliance, you will have signed onto the Core Principles and Code of Conduct when you first applied to become a member.

With cooperation, input, and support from our members globally, these documents have been revised and updated to reflect the latest understandings, lessons learned, and shifting global contexts in which we work.

Because of these changes, all members are being asked to sign the updated versions of these documents. This process therefore serves to reaffirm our collective and renewed commitments.

Why have these documents been updated?

It has been 14 years since the MenEngage Core Principles were written, and seven years since the Accountability Standards and Code of Conduct were written. During this time, our collective understanding of feminist-informed work with men and boys has grown, as well as our understanding of our role within broader efforts for gender, social, and climate justice. It has also been a period of cultural, social, and political shifts globally.

To reflect these changes in ourselves and the world around us, it was decided that our core documents should go through a participatory and collective updating process. This process has created important opportunities to collectively refresh and clarify our shared principles and values. It continues to create new spaces for discussing the concepts and ideas that underpin our shared vision and mission as an international network.

How have the documents been updated?

These documents have been carefully reviewed and revised through a consultative and participatory process. In partnership with ATHENA Network and The Equality Institute, we have worked with members and partners around the world to consult on, reflect, examine, and update them. This has been led by the Global Secretariat in close partnership with regional network coordinators.

The update has built upon years of critical discussion on the effectiveness and accountability of work to transform masculinities and engage men and boys in women’s rights, LGBTIQ rights, gender and climate justice.

The consultation has involved members, regional representatives, and key feminist partners of MenEngage Alliance, at national, regional and global levels. More than 100 people have been involved in dialogues related to this updating process, and 200 people have taken part through an extensive survey. This process has involved several rounds of inputs and revisions to the texts. The final draft was presented to the Global Board and approved on 21 April 2022.

What are the main updates in the documents?

The documents are updated in several important ways, including:

  • Improvements to make them clearer and easier to understand.
  • Updates to language, political positions, and shared commitments to reflect our updated commitments as an Alliance. This includes stronger framings for accountability, and being informed by intersectional feminism.
  • More rational structure.

If you are a member of MenEngage Alliance, please click here to complete the form to sign the updated documents of the Accountability Framework.