As the world marks the International Day of Education, Africa stands at a crossroads. On one hand, governments continue to affirm education as a cornerstone of development, investing in enrolment, infrastructure, and digital learning. On the other, millions of African children, particularly girls and adolescents, remain locked out of the full promise of education because […]
One of the most persistent challenges in advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in Africa is not the absence of law, but its inconsistency. Across many jurisdictions, women and girls navigate a complex legal maze where different laws say different things within the same legal system. The result is confusion, irregularity, and harm.
The SRHR Legal Maze: When Laws Contradict Women’s Lives Read More »
Across much of Africa, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are still discussed primarily as a matter of service delivery: clinics, commodities, donor-funded programmes, and outreach initiatives. These services are important, and in many communities, they are lifesaving. But framing SRHR as a service rather than a right quietly weakens accountability. When access depends
Sexual and Reproductive Health Is Not Charity. It Is a Human Right. Read More »
My journey into reproductive justice was shaped by the contradictions I kept encountering in law and policy. As a lawyer working on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender-based violence (GBV), I saw how laws that appear progressive on paper often fail women in practice. A girl may be legally entitled to healthcare
Why Reproductive Justice Is My North Star Read More »
16th June marked the International Day of the African Child. This year’s theme was “30 years after the adoption of the Charter: accelerate implementation of Agenda 2040 for an Africa fit for children.” Amongst the aspirations for Agenda 2040 is that children should benefit from a child-sensitive criminal justice system. The best interest principle is
was seated in my office immersed on a pile of papers when Mary (not her real name) walked in. From her face you could tell that she was tired though happy. I immediately offered her a seat and once she had gracefully taken a seat we exchanged pleasantries. It was a pleasant surprise to see
The realities of free maternity care for underprivileged women in Kenya. Read More »
In June, 2020, Kenyan media was awash with numerous stories of teenage pregnancies. Based on the statistics, the numbers seemed to be on an upward trajectory. This time round, it appears the news captured the national psyche and everyone wanted to weigh in on the issue. As usual, people were quick to apportion blame without
When the COVID 19 pandemic broke out, it was soon accompanied by a spike in the number of gender-based violence (GBV) cases. This relationship between the two was attributed to several factors including job losses and the tension that arises when a couple spends too much idle time together. However, the pandemic is well into
COVID 19 and Gender-based violence; A reasonable Cause or a Sorry Justification Read More »
May 23 is the United Nations’ (UN) International Day to End Female Genital Fistula. This is a day which promotes action towards treating and preventing Female Genital Fistula. This year’s theme is “Women’s rights are human rights! End fistula now!” To mark this year’s celebrations, Flying Doctors Society of Africa in partnership with the Ministry
End Female Genital Fistula Read More »
Irecently received a call from a distressed acquaintance whom we shall call Flo. Flo called seeking assistance for her 3-year-old daughter who is a victim of sexual gender-based violence (SGBV). Through the course of our conversation, she explained the myriad of challenges she had experienced – from seeking medical assistance to getting her statement recorded
We Need to Take A Survivor-Centred Approach in SGBV Response Services Read More »
