Without investments in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), gender equality will not be achieved, and women and girls will not be able to achieve their full potential. But what does it take to secure and sustain financing for SRHR in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) era?

The Global Financing Facility, International Planned Parenthood Federation, and the Government of Norway hosted a session at the Women Deliver conference in Vancouver to explore key lessons learned by policymakers and practitioners in driving investment in SRHR.

Sexual and reproductive health care is a critical component of primary health care and achieving universal health coverage, but in practice it often fails to be included in benefits packages or is not included in a comprehensive way. This session will discuss experiences from countries that have ensured integration of sexual and reproductive health care in their UHC schemes and derive key learnings from these processes.

The session explored what it takes to secure domestic government investment when, in many countries, SRHR funding is still heavily reliant on donor support and out-of-pocket spending by individuals, particularly for reproductive health supplies. Participants will also discuss the role of civil society in advocating for domestic funding and holding governments to account for their commitments through monitoring government expenditure for SRHR and other social accountability work.

Speakers:

  • Lars Gronseth, Senior adviser, Global Health, Education and Research Department, Government of Norway
  • Esperanza Delgado, Gerente de Relaciones Interinstitucionales, Fundacion Mexicana Para La Planeacion Familiar (MEXFAM)
  • Kannikar Kijtiwatchakul, National Health Security Office, Thailand
  • Helga Fostad, Executive Director, PMNCH

Moderator: Charity Rutendo Giyava, Young Leader, Women Deliver