In 2015 the World Health Organization recommended engaging fathers in maternal and newborn health promotion, as a strategy to increase uptake of essential health services and improve home care practices in low- and middle-income country settings. Efforts to promote father engagement are recognised as complex interventions, with broader impacts on family systems and community norms. In recognition of the complexity of father engagement, WHO has commissioned a qualitative review to complement an updated review of the effectiveness of interventions engaging fathers in health promotion.

This qualitative review aims to explore women’s, men’s, family and community members’, and health care providers’ experiences and perspectives regarding father engagement interventions, in order to enhance our understanding of how and why these interventions can be effective in improving health and supporting gender-transformative change.

Findings from the review will inform the forthcoming updated WHO guideline on father engagement interventions, to be issued in late 2020.