Integrating Gender in Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision Programs to Improve Outcomes

This technical brief is designed to provide a quick reference for improvement specialists, clinicians, health workers and implementing partners working to implement voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) services as part of a comprehensive HIV prevention package. It presents key gender issues for consideration in VMMC services including Harmful gender-related myths and traditions; female partners’ roles in VMMC decisions; female partners and post-operative care, adherence, and risk-reduction behaviors; and negative consequences of excluding women. The brief provides recommended action steps to address these issues and improve VMMC services in ways that benefit couples. Links to additional resources are provided at the end of the document.