Ipas Ethiopia’s Post

What’s one way to respond to gender-based violence (GBV)? By driving change through equitable partnerships. At EngenderHealth, we believe that meaningful partnerships are vital in driving sustainable progress on critical issues like GBV. Our approach to working with local organizations, especially youth-led and women-led organizations (YWLOs), is centered on equity and mutual learning principles. The Strengthening Local Youth- and Women-Led Organizations (YWLOs) to Become Key Actors in Promoting Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and Improving the Management and Prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in West Africa program, supports an established network of YWLOs across multiple countries in West Africa, including Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and Burkina Faso. This partnership-driven model reflects our deep commitment to co-creating programs that genuinely meet the needs of youth, women, and other marginalized groups. Together, we're working to advocate for expanded access to a full range of sexual and reproductive health services and address the root causes of GBV. Learn more https://loom.ly/CSPuVSw #EndGBV

Every woman has the right to quality sexual and reproductive health care🌸. These services are essential for women's health and well-being, especially in times of instability and crisis, where women are more vulnerable to sexual and gender-based violence. However, many women in Lebanon🇱🇧 do not have access to these services because they cannot afford them due to low incomes and high costs. Lebanon's public health system is in decline and sexual and reproductive health care is not available in many places, especially in rural areas. In addition, women do not posses enough information about the services available. Therefore, we provide gynecological care and sexual and reproductive health education to women and girls in the Palestinian refugee camp of Ein El Helweh. More than 300 women and girls ♀️ have participated in the workshops so far. These activities are carried out within the project "For her dignity – health, food and protection from violence for women and girls in Lebanon". The project is implemented in cooperation🤝 with our partner Developmental Action without Borders - Naba'a and with the financial support of the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. #DignifiedLife #genderequality #womensrights #sexualandreproductivehealth

How do you address stigma around sexual and reproductive healthcare? MSI teams in the Sahel developed a suite of participatory tools called 'La Famille Ideale' to help build community awareness and support for adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights. The tools (including a game and conversation-starting cards) aim to build an enabling environment in advance of the arrival of MSI's mobile outreach teams. Exploring family planning in the context of life aspirations, like education and financial security, helps create the positive community dialogue and male engagement required to support adolescent access to services. MSI outreach teams then deliver a full range of contraceptive methods for free at a nearby site. 'La Famille Ideale' has been integrated into community awareness activities across MSI’s Sahel programmes (Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Senegal). In Mali and Senegal, the tools have been endorsed by the government and integrated into national strategies and plans. Read this briefing to see how 'La Famille Ideale' approach increased adolescent reach from 15.8% to 19.6% in Burkina Faso: https://bit.ly/3Smy6iX

By 2030, Kenya aims to ensure that all citizens enjoy the socio-economic advantages of accessible, acceptable, equitable, and affordable quality family planning services, with no unmet need for family planning. This commitment underscores Kenya's dedication to empowering individuals and families to make informed choices about their reproductive health, contributing to overall well-being and sustainable development. AMREF Performance Monitoring for Action (formerly PMA2020) SDG Action ActionAid Alex Omari FP2030 Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevoelkerung (DSW) MarieStopesKenya_KE Drawing Dreams Initiative Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Alliance Kenya Reproductive Health Network Kenya Population Council - Kenya Population Services International African Population and Health Research Center African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) ICRW Africa Opportunities for Youth Jhpiego United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) USAID Ipas Kenya National Bureau of Statistics National Council for Population and Development Ministry of Health, Kenya #PartnersInReproductiveHealth

We are excited to announce the launch of our latest report, "Regional Policy Analysis of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Framework in Africa," which took place during the Opening Ceremony of the MenEngage Africa SRHR Learning and Exchange Symposium on the 12th of August 2024. This comprehensive analysis provides an in-depth look at the current frameworks, policies, and human rights instruments that shape sexual and reproductive health and rights across the African continent. This report aligns with the objectives of the MenEngage SRHR Learning and Exchange Symposium, to identify gaps and potential areas for reinforcement within existing SRHR policies, aligning with the principles of the International Conference on Population and Development ICPD30. The report highlights critical issues regarding sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in Africa, including significant barriers to accessing essential services due to legal, cultural, and systemic obstacles, the prevalence of gender-based violence, the severe impact of child marriage on young girls, and the lack of comprehensive sexual education, which contributes to misinformation and stigma. To address these challenges, the report recommends comprehensive law reforms to align national legislation with international standards, adequate resource allocation to comply with the Abuja Declaration, continuous engagement with non-state actors to combat prejudices, implementation of education and awareness campaigns, technical support for civil society organizations, investment in health infrastructure and training, and ongoing research and data collection to inform policy decisions. The report fosters a comprehensive understanding of the SRHR landscape, encouraging collaborative efforts to ensure that all individuals can enjoy their rights and access necessary health services. You can access the report here https://lnkd.in/ejikfWsP #PROGRESS2024 #MEASRHR2024

Globally, more than 89 million people are displaced and many of these are women, girls, and young people who are particularly vulnerable in times of displacement and humanitarian crisis. These vulnerabilities include unmet needs related to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender-based violence (GBV). Access to care while displaced is often limited in availability and quality, leading to poor health outcomes. Check out this report on The Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs and Challenges of Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Humanitarian Settings in Nigeria and Uganda. https://lnkd.in/dm5WZjNn

In One Day! We discuss Adolescents and young adults 12-30 years who are frequently reluctant to seek SRHR and services. In Kigezi Sub Region, adolescent health and development is constrained by the understanding of and implementation of the relevant policies to practice locally. CEHURD Uganda Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Alliance Uganda ActionAid International Uganda National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders Uganda Women in Global Health UN Women

The decision by Israel’s parliament to ban the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) from operating within Israel and occupied territories is a grievous human rights violation, denying Palestinian women and girls life-saving sexual and reproductive healthcare. As the main provider of aid in the region, UNRWA’s removal strips women and girls of access to critical healthcare, education, and economic support, denying them the agency to make informed choices about their bodies and futures. This decision entrenches decades of reproductive violence and systemic oppression by Israel. Ammal Awadallah, Executive Director of the Palestinian Family Planning and Protection Association, said, “UNRWA for decades has been a crucial provider of life-saving services to millions of Palestinians, reaching those most in need. If UNRWA's services become inaccessible and unavailable in Palestine this would result in critical consequences, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation faced by millions of innocent Palestinians who are already enduring the most catastrophic inhumane circumstances. More innocent lives will be lost, more people will starve, more will be deprived of essential basic health care services including those related to sexual reproductive health for vulnerable girls and women”.

In many cultures traditional gender norms often dictate that women should make the majority of decisions around family planning and reproductive health, while men should be less involved. This imbalance may make it more difficult for individuals to access family planning (FP) information and services, which may have serious consequences for their health and overall wellbeing. This is why Kenya, through the National Council for Population and Development committed to objective 6 of the FP2030 commitments. Angela Akol, MD, PhD Alex Omari CREAWKenya Reproductive Health Network Kenya Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Alliance Kenya Youth For Sustainable Development goals Ipas AMREF WomenLift Health Women Deliver Centre for Health Solutions - Kenya (CHS) Centre for the Study of Adolescence Youth Empowerment Movement Kenya (YEMKenya) Trust for Indigenous Culture and Health (TICAH) Tiko Peter Ngure Pathways Policy Institute (PPI) Drawing Dreams Initiative ChildFund International - Africa Opportunities for Youth Options Consultancy Services United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) #PatrnersInReproductiveHealth

In the bustling chaos of the Middle East and North Africa, where the grind of war affects people of all races and ages, the often-overlooked realm of women's sexual and reproductive health is a silent crisis. Picture this: even in times of peace and security, these crucial issues are obscured and neglected. Now, in the midst of regional conflicts, they are pushed further into the shadows, lost amid the urgent clamor for food security and survival, labeled as "luxuries" or "trivialities." Yet, beneath the surface lies a reality we cannot afford to ignore. The neglect of women's health in times of crisis is not just a matter of convenience—it's a humanitarian emergency unfolding before our very eyes. https://lnkd.in/epcnzsQK