Sen. Mumma

Introduction

We attended a stakeholder engagement in SRHR to take stock of progress made specifically in Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights in light of the recommendations made by the UN human rights mechanism to Kenya that fall under the following SDGs.

  • 3.1 Reduce maternal mortality
  • 3.7 Universal access to reproductive care, planning and education
  • 3.8 Achieve universal health coverage
  • 5.1 End discrimination against women and girls
  • 5.2 End all violence against and exploitation of women
  • 5.3 Eliminate forced marriages and genital mutilation
  • 5.6 universal access to reproductive health and rights

Focus Area

While it was generally acknowledged that Kenya has some of the best policies and laws around SRHR, it was noted the implementation of the same was where we have continued to fail. 

Several gaps were highlighted that include:

  • Access to SRH services

Teenage rights to health care and service is still inadequate. Service providers remain reluctant to serve underage girls unless chaperoned

  • Resources for Implementation

Dependence on donor funding for resources to implement the policies and laws around SRHR has slowed down the progress

  • Legal Illiteracy

Majority of service providers are not conversant with the laws and policies on SRHR hence derailing service provision. On the other hand, the general population do not know and understand their rights thus denying them service on SRHR.

  • Cultural and Religious Bias

Frameworks around SRHR and strategies for implementation have been watered down to suit culture and religion. 

  • SRHR conversation should be devolved.

The government both the national and devolved one have structures that can be used to drive conversation around SRHR at the grassroots. There has been enough boardroom engagements. There should be capacity building for those in charge of SRHR at the grassroots. 

  • Data

There is no clear data to authoritatively inform the progress made towards attaining the SDGs around SRHR. Service providers wary of the grey areas and legal implications.

  • Misalignment of laws and policies around SRHR

Case in point; Art 26. INTERNATIONAL TREATY Vis a Vis the NHR 2022-2023

  • The R in SRH & R largely Silent

So much focus continues to be put on SRH but not on Rights.

  1. UN treaties mechanism do not involve CSOs. Some components of SRHR are a no go zone for CSOs

Way Forward

The statement the office just made on the Role of Local Governments on Adolescent Health is a pointer already on the best way forward even as the country prepares for the fourth UPR review. The devolved units can play a major role in accelerating progress in SRHR in the country if adequately equipped. Focus should now shift to the grassroots.