Addressing gender norms in schools in New York City and Los Angeles: Lessons from the adaptation of an evidence-based program in Brazil

Promundo has been implementing a set of interventions in Brazil to promote gender equality – first focusing on young men (Program H) and subsequently, incorporating work with young women (Program M). Both interventions help youth question traditional norms related to masculinity and femininity, and allow youth to reflect on the advantages of more gender equitable behaviors. Program H and M are now being implemented in more than 20 countries.

Rigorous evaluations of Program H in Brazil, India and Ethiopia have found that young men in the intervention were less likely to support inequitable gender norms over time, while similar change was not found at control sites. Outcomes related to reproductive health and violence improved with the intervention groups, while outcomes in control sites did not change.

Based on the success of the intereventions, many became interested adapting Program H and M for the United States. The New York City Department of Education funded an adaptation of Program H and M in 6 New York City High Schools with 9th grade students. Planned Parenthood Los Angeles funded the adaptation of Program H for work with young men enrolled in a public high school in East L.A.

Both adaptations demonstrated that youth were receptive to exploring gender issues and their impact on reproductive health, parenting, substance use, relationships, and violence. Adaptations were made to explore how constructions of gender intersect with race, class and culture. This session will highlight lessons from the adaptation and discuss how it gained support from schools.