Namibia leads the way in promoting Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) across Africa

NAMIBIA — Namibia is set to launch a Pan African campaign aimed at improving sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR), titled “The Brands on a Mission.”

The initiative is being spearheaded by Professor Myriam Sidibe and Dr. Michel Sibide, who have been engaging with key stakeholders during their week-long visit to establish a sustainable platform for ongoing dialogue, networking, and awareness-raising.

The primary goal of the campaign is to empower couples, families, women, and girls to demand better SRHR products and services.

The launch of the campaign in Namibia was a success, thanks to the shared synergy between African Voices and Brands on a Mission, which managed to engage all the essential stakeholders committed to the same cause.

By aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, initiatives like the African Voices project seek to mobilize a diverse coalition of “African Voices” to promote enhanced sexual and reproductive rights and services throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.

The project’s strategy focuses on advocacy efforts aimed at increasing education and access to SRHR throughout the continent, particularly in the three target countries of Namibia, Niger, and Cabo Verde.

By amplifying the voices of Africans, the project seeks to establish a framework for achieving the desired outcomes of increased SRHR awareness and a reduction in the stigma associated with abortion.

During their week in Namibia, Prof Sidibe and Dr. Sibide met with stakeholders engaged in the Namibian SRHR movement, including the First Lady of Namibia, Monica Geingos, members of current and former government, civil society, and the private sector.

These conversations involved initiating, continuing, and elevating discussions around the need for improved SRHR through public interviews and press events, combined with private discussions.

The project also seeks to identify how the African Voices project can support and uplift existing local SRHR movements, as well as identifying organizations and influencers who will be part of a wider cross-continent coalition, mobilized around improving SRHR.

The visitors also engaged with Bience Gawanas, justice Yvonne Dausab, Dr. Bernard Haufiku, the Voices for Choices and Rights Coalition (VCRC), the Namibia Planned Parenthood Association (Nappa) clinic, The Namibia National Students Organization (Nanso), the United Nations Population Fund (UNPF), UNAids, UNCT Namibia, and local influencers.

The launch of “The Brands on a Mission” campaign in Namibia will mark a significant step towards achieving better SRHR in the country and across the continent.

The initiative’s focus on empowering individuals and communities to demand improved services and products will go a long way in creating sustainable change and reducing the prevalence of preventable health problems in Africa.

The launch of a new Pan African campaign, “The Brands on a Mission,” aimed at improving sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in Namibia, aligns with recent initiatives focused on addressing the alarming disparities in healthcare access faced by women around the world.

European and African partners have recently joined forces to improve SRHR in Africa, with a particular emphasis on adolescent girls and young women, to empower and enable them to reach their full potential.

The initiative, launched in Kigali, Rwanda, will enhance coordination and collaboration among partners, a key action under the EU-Africa Global Gateway package and the EU Global Health Strategy.

However, the recent report by United Nations agencies, “Trends in maternal mortality,” highlights the stark disparities in healthcare access for women.

Shockingly, a woman dies every two minutes during pregnancy or childbirth, with maternal deaths either increasing or stagnating in nearly all regions of the world.

The majority of maternal deaths are concentrated in the poorest parts of the world and in countries affected by conflict.

In 2020, about 70% of all maternal deaths occurred in sub-Saharan Africa, and in nine countries facing severe humanitarian crises, maternal mortality rates were more than double the world average (551 maternal deaths per 100 000 live births, compared to 223 globally).

These statistics demonstrate the pressing need for initiatives such as “The Brands on a Mission” to empower couples, families, women, and girls to demand improved SRHR products and services.

Ultimately, the success of initiatives like “The Brands on a Mission” and the African Voices project will be critical in addressing the alarming disparities in healthcare access for women around the world, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

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