Ending TB means responding to socially produced vulnerabilities of all genders

• Tuberculosis (TB) affects close to 6 million men globally and 1.3 million men in the WHO Africa region every year. This commentary contributes to discussions on how to respond most effectively to men’s TB epidemiologicaland social scenarios to TB and to the underlying causes of socially constructed gender barriers to health among men.

• The discussion summarises sex-related and gender- related factors underpinning the higher TB burden among men. We define masculinities for this commentary and discuss notions of masculinities marking a growing body of knowledge that may be characterised as African- centred gender and masculinities theories.

• Lessons from strategies for engaging men in other fields resonating with insights gained from this body of theories are elaborated, suggesting that the theoretical guidance offered by the same may help address limitations of existing male engagement strategies.

• We conclude that theoretical guidance from African contexts can advance the TB response by moving beyond a focus on either men or women to recognise socially produced vulnerabilitiesof all genders so that TB responses address the needs of everyone in the community.

• We call on global and national TB programmes to be cognisant of the historic and cultural context of communities and offer differentiated care models accommodating the needs of populations affected by TB across all genders.

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