Aim
To improve all citizens’ rights and access to quality SRHR services – particularly of women, girls, key populations and marginalized groups – in a safe, fair and equitable manner.
Where
Southern and East Africa: Malawi, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Why
Patriarchy and a heterosexual norm create deeply entrenched attitudes and practices that relegate young women and girls to a low socio-economic status. For example, child marriage and polygamy deny women and girls adequate control over their sexual and reproductive health. High rates of sexual and gender-based violence and HIV-related diseases, particularly among adolescent girls, young LGBTI individuals and young sex workers, are great cause of concern. National and local governments across southern and eastern Africa have not, to date, prioritized the realization of everyone’s rights to safely access high quality and equitable SRHR services without fear of stigma, discrimination, sanction or criminalization.
How
The Regional SRHR Fund has adopted an approach that is inter-connected and mutually reinforcing. Evidence-informed grant-making is at the center of all our activities and is supported by a range of actions that aim to ensure a comprehensive approach, including: capacity strengthening of partner and youth-led organizations; advocacy and influencing policies for improved access to services for young people and adolescents, and strategic convening of key stakeholders for a more coordinated regional SRHR response.
Results so far
The fund has established the Sex Rights Africa network, a networking hub to share evidence and strengthen action to realize sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) for all in Southern Africa and globally. It helped initiate Katswe sisterhood’s successful Happy Flow Campaignin Zimbabwe on improved access to menstrual health for girls and supported CISE in Malawi to get more than 10 previously married girls back in school.
Period & budget
2018 – 2021, $ USD 9, 326, 190. 60 (SIDA)
2017- 2019, $ USD 400, 000.00 (Ford Foundation)
Donors and partners
Embassy of Sweden Zambia (SIDA) and FORD Foundation (donors); Community Initiative for Social Empowerment (CISE Malawi), Panos Institute for Southern Africa, Gateway Health Institute (GHI), Rozaria Memorial Trust (RMT), The Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative (REPSSI), Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCOZ), Girls Empowerment Network (GENET) Malawi, Grass Root Soccer (GRS) Zambia, Sex Rights Africa Network, Real Open Opportunities for Transformation Support (ROOTS) Africa, Bridges of Hope
Collaborating Partners:
AIDS Foundation South Africa (AFSA), Katswe Sisterhood, Pan Africa ILGA (PAI), SAfAIDS, Students and Youth Working on reproductive Health Action Team (SAYWHAT) and Women Deliver
