Liliane Fonds’ Post

Today is day four of the GESI training with the Heroes for Gender Transformative Action Programme (Heroes4GTA) in Uganda. @Heroes4GTA is a six-year (2020–2026) integrated sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) program in Uganda implemented by Amref Health Africa in Uganda, MIFUMI, Cordaid, Healthy Entrepreneurs and 21 Community Based Organisations. It is funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Uganda. We've built on our GESI analysis and training conducted in April. We reflected on progress since then in terms of addressing gender inequality in SRH and SGBV services, what we can do better and how get there. We also refreshed our knowledge on Gender Transformative Approaches (GTA) in Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and focussed in on the need to address power dynamics when delivering Youth Friendly Services. In our training we use the Rutgers, expertisecentrum seksualiteit GTA approach, with their blessing. The same approach we apply in our #PowertoYou(th) Strategic Partnership which we jointly implement with Rutgers, Sonke Gender Justice and again, many local CBOs. During the training yesterday and today, we focus on Disability Inclusive Development, with the Training delivered by Katalemwa Cheshire Home – Uganda Liliane Fonds. Tools we use include those of Light for the World. For its Sexuality Education, Heroes4GTA has adapted life skills manuals developed by the Ministry of Education and Sports in Uganda which were subsequently tailored to the Heroes4GTA programme with input from the Ministry and Reproductive Health Uganda.   Partnerships and collaboration play a key role in delivering quality International Development interventions. We learn from each other and do not reinvent the wheel. We work together to improve existing tools and approaches through sharing our knowledge and building on each others’ strengths. Always in close collaboration with the local government and local organizations that know and understand the context. Whilst Minister Klever pointed out in her letter to Parliament of 11 November 2024 that current partnerships are often laborious and sometimes do not sufficiently promote local ownership, I would like to reiterate that the partnership I see in practice this week and from my experience, many other, create significant synergy and value for money. Let us therefore be careful to not throw out the proverbial baby with the bathwater.    #cooperation #learning #partnerships #LocalOwnership Amref Flying Doctors NL Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken Marieke van Gerwen Henry Wasswa Eefje Smet

Empowering Lives Through Sexual and Reproductive Health: A Pathway to Achieving the SDGs   At the heart of sustainable development lies the well-being of individuals, particularly the health and rights of women and young people. Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) is not just a health issue—it's a cornerstone for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). In Ghana, the work of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is crucial. By providing access to quality SRH services, education, and resources, UNFPA Ghana empowers women and young people to make informed decisions about their health and futures. This empowerment is directly linked to achieving the SDGs, as healthier populations contribute to more equitable societies. For instance, UNFPA Ghana's initiatives to reduce maternal mortality align with SDG 3. We ensure that even the most remote populations can access life-saving maternal health services through community-based interventions, mobile health clinics, and partnerships with local healthcare providers. This not only saves lives but also contributes to a healthier workforce, which is essential for sustainable economic growth. Moreover, by promoting gender equality through comprehensive sexuality education and advocacy against gender-based violence, UNFPA Ghana addresses the root causes of inequality. This work is directly tied to SDG 5, which aims to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women and girls. By ensuring that every woman and girl can exercise her sexual and reproductive rights, we are building a more just and equal society. As we continue to champion SRH in Ghana, we must remember that these efforts are not in isolation. They are part of a broader, global commitment to sustainable development. By linking SRH to the SDGs, we underscore the vital role that health and rights play in shaping a better future for all. Let’s continue to work together, across sectors and borders, to ensure that everyone, everywhere, has the power to live healthy, dignified lives. #SRHR #SDGs #UNFPA #GenderEquality #SustainableDevelopment #HealthForAll United Nations UNFPA Ghana

The Kijiji initiative is a multi-faceted program designed to empower young women in Samburu County, Kenya. This annual initiative, held in conjunction with The Kijiji Cup, aims to address critical issues such as Sexual and Reproductive Health, Gender-Based Violence, and Period Poverty. Project Activities; ✔️ Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) ✔️ Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Prevention ✔️ Period Poverty Action Project Goals; ✔️ To empower young women with knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about their health and well-being. ✔️ To promote gender equality and challenge harmful social norms. ✔️ To create a safe and supportive environment for young women to express themselves and seek support. ✔️ To address period poverty and ensure that all girls have access to menstrual hygiene products and education. Support the Kijiji Initiative By The Brilliant Feminine Organization | M-Changa https://lnkd.in/de9j9iAK #empowerherhealth #breakthesilence #endperiodpoverty #changestartswithus #girlsmatter #stopgbv #safespacesforher #hervoice #periodswithdignity #genderequality

OPPORTUNITY (Funding) Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and other funding partners are investing up to CAD19.1 million to fund up to 16 implementation research teams to support gender-transformative implementation research in sub-Saharan Africa. Focused on investments to transform service design and delivery and to strengthen the development and implementation of equitable and sustainable movements, the ANSRHRA Initiative will contribute to improved sexual and reproductive health and realization of rights while also building systems and structures that enable and support underserved populations, including women and girls, to demand and benefit from the full spectrum of SRHR. The Initiative’s overall aim is to support greater realization of neglected SRHR by underserved populations, including women and girls, in sub-Saharan Africa. https://lnkd.in/eMKTFHTr #gender #SRH #funding #businessdevelopment #donor

The potential of every young person MUST be fulfilled

🌍 WASH & SRH: A Vital Connection for Health and Equality 🚰 When we think about sexual & reproductive health, clean water and sanitation aren’t always the first things that come to mind—but they should be. The link between Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) and Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) is critical to improving health outcomes and promoting gender equality. When these two areas come together, they create real change in communities, especially for women and girls. Here are some examples of how: 💧 Dignity in Menstrual Health Without access to clean water and safe sanitation, managing menstruation becomes a major challenge, often leading to girls missing school or work. Ensuring proper WASH facilities means women can manage their health with dignity and participate fully in society. 🤱 Safer Childbirth In many regions, healthcare facilities lack proper sanitation, which can put mothers and babies at risk during childbirth. By improving WASH access in healthcare, we can reduce infections and improve maternal health outcomes. ⚖️ Supporting Gender Equality Women and girls are disproportionately affected by poor WASH access, often spending hours collecting water or managing hygiene in unsafe conditions. Integrating WASH with SRH initiatives helps address these inequalities and promotes more opportunities for education and empowerment. At YSB, we are proud of our partnership with Reckitt in the Reckitt Access Accelerator program, which currently focuses on enhancing WASH and SRH initiatives in Nigeria and Kenya. By addressing both areas, we can build healthier, more equitable communities and create lasting change. Stay tuned to learn more about these incredible initiatives! To learn more about this subject, check out the article that inspired this post: https://lnkd.in/dF7jnN-4

In Cabo Verde, our exploration of the third and final focus country in the #AfricanVoicesproject revealed a remarkable landscape of advancements in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). This visit provided us with insights into a landscape that differed significantly not only from Namibia and Niger but also from the broader African continent 🇨🇻🌍 Our experience in Cabo Verde illuminated the impressive strides made in areas such as girls' education, the fight against gender-based violence, and support for LGBTQIA+ communities. The initiatives highlighted the concerted efforts of both the government and civil society organisations in driving meaningful change. As we reflect on our learnings from Cabo Verde, we are filled with hope that these valuable insights can serve as a catalyst for broader impact. We look forward to incorporating these lessons into our ongoing work, fostering collaborations, and extending our support to other African countries striving for progress in SRHR 🫱🏾🫲🏽 #AfricanVoices #SRHR #CaboVerde #LetsTalkSRHR #ReproductiveRightsAfrica 

'Investing strategically in adolescent girls is crucial for creating a fairer, more prosperous, and gender-equal world.' #InternationalDayOfTheGirl NEW: Accelerate Research HUB have collaborated with UNICEF Global Gender Programme to develop this policy brief, highlighting the returns that can be achieved through high-level investments in adolescent girls. Read in full: https://lnkd.in/dvdW-e-N #GenderEquality

Girls in Africa face significant challenges in accessing sexual and reproductive health information and services, as well as high rates of sexual violence and exploitation. However, there are efforts underway to empower girls and protect their rights. The EU-Africa Initiative on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights aims to increase access to quality SRHR services, products, and education, particularly for adolescent girls and young women. Programs like "SHE SOARS" in Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia are working to improve out-of-school girls' access to SRHR information and services, address gender inequalities, and empower girls to make decisions about their bodies. Organizations like Belie Health Foundation in Cameroon are also working to empower adolescents, women, and girls to advocate for their reproductive health rights through capacity building, partnerships with local leaders, and community mobilization. By supporting these efforts, educating ourselves, and speaking out against injustice, we can work towards a future where all girls in Africa are free from abuse and have the information and resources to lead healthy and empowered lives. #GirlsRights #SRH #Beliehealthfoundation

The National Assembly of Nigeria (NASS) is tackling gender equality and social inclusion concerns through policy changes and advocacy! Here’s a summary of recent initiatives: 1️⃣ 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝘅𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀:The NASS is considering a bill to stop sexual harassment in educational institutions - by creating safer environments, promoting gender equity and protecting students (especially marginalized groups), from exploitation and intimidation. The bill was passed by the House of Representatives in October, and scaled first reading at the Senate. 2️⃣ 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀:In the House of Representatives, a bill sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas aims to enhance inclusive leadership by reserving legislative seats for persons with physical impairments. This landmark move seeks to dismantle barriers to participation and amplify voices in national decision-making. The bill has passed the first reading. 3️⃣ 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗮𝗰𝘆:Member of the House of Representatives Uduak Alphonsus Odudoh, introduced a bill to support women’s reproductive autonomy, ensure the ethical provision of assisted reproduction technologies and protect the health, welfare and rights of surrogate mothers. This bill has also passed its first reading in the House. 4️⃣ 𝟭𝟲 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿-𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗩𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲:The House of Representatives joined the global 16 Days of Activism Campaign by participating in a 16-day march to raise awareness of the disproportionate violence against women and girls. The march is to draw attention to the urgent need for enactment of laws, allocation of resources, and cultural shifts to better protect vulnerable groups, including women with disabilities and those from rural areas. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀? Share them in the comments and follow us for updates on policies shaping communities and impacting lives across Africa. #PolicyVault #PolicyVaultAfrica #NigerianNationalAssembly #NASS