Reproductive and Sexual Health Rights in Africa: an advocacy and communications approach/Droits de sante reproductive et sexuelle en Afrique: une approche du plaidoyer et des communications.

• Position: ADVOCACY PROGRAMME/PROGRAMME PLAIDOIRIE

Over the years, FEMNET has continually been engaged in diverse activities that develop the capacity for advocacy around African women's human rights at national, regional and international levels. One key activity being implemented in 2007 is the project on "Reproductive and Sexual Health Rights in Africa: an advocacy and communications approach". This is in line with one of the key area of focus and action identified in FEMNET's Strategic Plan (2005-2007) which purports to 'lobby governments at sub-regional and regional levels to ensure they incorporate women's reproductive and sexual rights'.

EEMNET concedes that reproductive and sexual rights are linked to other human rights and are a precondition for sustainable development. And therefore, participation in reproductive and sexual decision-making enables women to participate actively and enjoy rights related to other areas of development. Reproductive and sexual rights, guaranteed in regional and international human rights treaties need to be recognised and enforced at national levels.

This innovative and advocacy-oriented project will ultimately enable African women to influence national legal and policy frameworks to protect and promote reproductive and sexual rights in their countries. Eight countries in Africa (Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda Tanzania and Uganda) will be assessed and the research findings will be used to support African women's capacity to act and advocate around reproductive and sexual rights on their own behalf, within their own customary and religious contexts.

FEMNET has engaged eight consultants (one from each country) to conduct participatory research techniques in gathering the required information. Through this research, the project will assess the implementation by African governments of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and other relevant international and regional instruments. The research will also aim to assist the negotiation capacity of young African women of their reproductive and sexual rights by exploring and deconstructing customary and religious barriers that exist in respect to their autonomy and choice--particularly given the prevalence of transactional sex, sexual coercion and violence, including in situations of armed conflict. The project is being implemented in partnership with HIVOS and the Sigrid Rausing Trust.

Au fur des annees, FEMNET s'est continuellement engage dans diverses activites qui...