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UCHD2025

Report on Assessment of Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights Policies and Laws With Advocacy Priorities

Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, in all matters related to the reproductive system and sexuality, its functions and processes. In order to incorporate “Rights” component of SRHR, it is important to define human rights within the context of SRH. Sexual and reproductive health and sexual and reproductive rights are centered around individual autonomy and the ability to make choices regarding individuals’ own reproduction and sexuality to enjoy the highest attainable standard of health. The World Health Organization emphasizes that the vision of SRHR is the attainment by all people of the highest possible level of sexual and reproductive health. World Health Organization (WHO) further breaks down SRHR into sub-components1 that form the basis for the policies, strategies and programs implemented by countries including Uganda

Implementation of the national policies on SRHR is ongoing and related laws have been enacted to ascertain that these services are provided in an ethical manner and that practices that have a negative effect and are potentially harmful to the SRH of individuals are prevented. Unfortunately, commitments made and goals that the country has set, are not being achieved within the expected period; and the reasons for this gap are either not being appropriately addressed or are not clear. Despite efforts by the health and the Legal and Policy Frameworks sectors to strengthen implementation and to hold Government accountable, respectively, in addressing the high maternal morbidity and mortality and the SRHR gaps, more work still remains to be done. Several assessments of these policies have been carried out in the past to find out whether the purpose(s) for which they were developed have been met however, not enough has been done, through the advocacy lens, to address issues identified.

Advocacy is defined as the process of influencing those who manage and distribute resources that affect people’s lives. Advocacy delivers deliberate messages intended to influence the thoughts, perspectives, and actions of people in authority. Advocacy strategies involve building pressure around an issue by campaigning to create public pressure through mass action, public forums, and media campaigns; lobbying to have political influence through policy analysis, dialogue, negotiation; and forming collaborative partnerships.

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSESSMENT
Specific objectives are:

  • To review SRHR laws and policies at international and regional level and compare and evaluate their domestication and implementation within Uganda’s context
  • To examine the existing SRHR policies and laws in Uganda, their level of implementation, and provide actionable recommendations for enhancing policy implementation and reviews.
  • To benchmark existing best practices in the implementation of SRHR laws and policies, from similar contexts globally in view of informing areas for needed engagement
  • To conduct a thorough evaluation of current SRHR policies, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and gaps, showing what is working well and what needs adjustment.
  • To provide actionable recommendations aligned with CEHURD’s goals including strategies for enhancing policy effectiveness, improving service delivery, and ensuring compliance with legal and policy frameworks and ethical standards.

COVID19, SRHR and Health Systems

“Coronavirus makes clear what has been true all along. Your health is as safe as that of the worst-insured, worst-cared-for person in your society. It will be decided by the height of the floor, not the ceiling.” – Anand Giridharada

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a huge public health crisis and a subsequent economic crisis globally. It has also exposed the consequences of decades of chronic under-investment in health systems everywhere, but especially in low-income countries. Health systems in most African countries, already under severe strain before the massive outbreak of the virus, are at increased risk of collapsing.

COVID-19 has spread to all African countries, but despite a steady rise in the number of confirmed cases, the outbreak on the continent appears slower than the global curve for infections and deaths.

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