North America
Since 2012, the North American MenEngage Network (NAMEN), Inc. has united individuals and organizations in the USA and Canada dedicated to engaging men and boys in advancing gender equality, preventing violence, and promoting the health of men, women, and children.
In today’s political climate that aims to enforce rigid masculine norms, NAMEN serves as a collective space for those helping men and boys across North America to push back against harmful stereotypes and to step up as allies for women, girls, and gender nonconforming individuals. Explore this page further to learn more.
As a 501c3 nonprofit organization, we are a platform for members to connect with each other in our joint efforts to transform patriarchal masculinities and engage men and boys in gender equality and justice in North America.
As a member-led network, our work is driven by a board made up of representatives from the general membership who are mandated to shape activities, provide spaces for members to engage, and foster opportunities for joint advocacy and actions.
Priorities for North America MenEngage Network
The backlash against gender equality is intensifying — but so is our resolve. In 2025, NAMEN is doubling down on our commitment to supporting our members, strengthening our movement, and taking a stand.
As with the global MenEngage Alliance network, accountability towards feminist women’s rights and social justice movements is a priority for NAMEN. Other current priorities for the region include deepening our knowledge, commitment to, and activities based on intersectionality and decolonization in our practice of promoting healthy masculinities.
This year, we are structuring our workaround Countering Backlash, ensuring that NAMEN is a space for both strategic action and collective care. Our approach will be twofold:
Building a Community of Care –The work we do is challenging, and none of us can sustain it alone. We are creating spaces to support our members as people — offering opportunities to process current events, discuss how we care for ourselves and others, and foster meaningful connections across our network.
Strengthening Our Collective Strategy – We are convening experts and practitioners to discuss best practices for responding to backlash,sharing tools and strategies that help our organizations and communities stay resilient in this moment. Throughout the year, NAMEN offers a variety of opportunities for connection, learning, and collective action. As part of our Community of Practice model, we host regular webinars to exchange knowledge and share best practices. Our bi-monthly member meetings create space for solidarity, dialogue, and reflection on today’s most pressing issues. Additionally, on a quarterly basis, NAMEN invites guest speakers to present on topics that matter to our members and support deeper engagement with emerging challenges and opportunities in the field.