Devex: World Vasectomy Day: How to engage men in family planning efforts
Ana Karina De la Vega Millor, country director of DKT Mexico and lead of DKT International’s efforts in Central America, the Caribbean, and Venezuela; and Jonathan Stack, documentary filmmaker and co-founder of World Vasectomy Day

“We are living in an era focused on women and girls — which is appropriate given the persistent and debilitating gaps in global access to education, health care, and economic opportunity between the genders. Yet, there is also a gap in complementary funding and research to engage men, which not only makes overall family planning objectives more elusive, but puts even greater stress and pressure on women to shoulder the burden of contraception on their own. … Involving men in the broader conversation is key to sustainable family planning. Here are three tips for doing so. 1. Think big picture and start with the goal … 2. Be provocative and make it fun … 3. Be open and connected, and create community … By involving men in family planning programs, raising awareness of vasectomies as a simple and effective method, and celebrating the men who take part, we can truly shake up the stagnant growth in contraceptive use and global gender equality” (11/15).