Update on FEMNET's advocacy and communication approach in reproductive and sexual health rights in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda/Mise a jour sur l'approche de plaidoirie et de communication de FEMNET en droits de sante reproductive et sexuelle au Kenya, en Tanzanie et en Ouganda.

• Position: The African Women's Development & Communication Network

To achieve sexual and reproductive health for all in Africa, multifaceted interventions that are pragmatic and tailored to local context are required. The ongoing advocacy-oriented project "Reproductive and Sexual Health Rights in Africa: an advocacy and communications approach" currently being implemented by FEMNET, in partnership with HIVOs and the Sigrid Rausing Trust, seeks to build the capacity of African women to negotiate and influence national legal and policy frameworks to protect and promote sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) in their countries. Between the months of June and July 2007, FEMNET conducted capacity building workshops in three East Africa countries i.e. Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Participants were drawn from a wide range of stakeholders, including: government ministries, grassroots NGOs and CBOs, health practitioners and the media.

Using participatory advocacy approaches the workshops aimed to contribute to a better understanding of SRHR as well as equip the participants with skills and strategies to enable them address the barriers existing thus hindering the full enjoyment of SRHR in their countries. The workshops also assessed the commitments, achievements and challenges towards the realization of women and girl's SRHR and sought to provide an indication as to the entry-points for advocacy engagement to improve and build capacity of African women in accessing their own rights. Full workshop reports can be requested by email to admin@femnet.or.ke

In addition, participatory research studies have been conducted in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. These researches document progress made in these countries in implementing SRHR commitments identified in the

International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) programme of action and other relevant international and regional instruments. The researches also identified strategies that can assist the negotiation capacity of young African women of their SRHR by exploring and deconstructing customary and religious barriers that exist in respect of their autonomy and choice.

FEMNET envisages that the research findings from the three countries will support African women's capacity to act and advocate SRHR on their own behalf, within their own local contexts. Ongoing are research studies in the other five countries in West Africa (Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Malawi and Rwanda). All the findings from these researches will be published and disseminated to our members and partners. A summary of key research findings from the already completed studies is here below.

KENYA

Key Findings

* There exists a comprehensive policy framework that acknowledges the Government's obligations and commitments to attainment of reproductive and sexual health. There is need for information flow and monitoring on the implementation of the policies.

* Notable positive developments in the legal framework for SRHR include the enactment of the sexual offences, HIV/AIDs and the Children's bills. There is however a lacuna with respect to domestic violence and equality legislation. An unambiguous constitutional statement on nondiscrimination of women is needed to inform reform of laws that discriminate against women, as well as legal awareness and aid to women who cannot access justice.

* There has been an upsurge of infant and maternal mortality rates and stagnation of fertility rates. Sexual and reproductive activity among the adolescents and youth has increased. Violence against women and girls is widespread, as is female genital mutilation (FGM) in some Kenyan communities. There is also a need to increase access to information on SRHR, to give people choices and a sense of entitlement to quality services.

* There is need for expanded access to reproductive and sexual health services by bringing the services closer to the people especially in the rural and marginalized communities; provision of the necessary infrastructure, resources and trained personnel in the facilities; and the empowerment of the communities. The Government and donors must be held accountable and should allocate adequate resources to ensure effective service delivery.

* The lack of knowledge of men and women, subordinate status of women, lack of male interest, harmful cultural practices and beliefs, and restrictions to accessing SRHR are the key issues that affect reproductive and sexual health in Kenya. These issues arise at household, communal and religious levels.

Recommendations

Advocacy initiatives must focus on laws and policies, institutions charged with upholding the rights provided for in the laws and policies, and the attitudes and behaviours of officials and ordinary citizens about the rights. Therefore, key messages must articulate the human rights violation and employ both legal and political strategies. Advocacy strategies must endeavour to:

* Empower women, youth, and men

* Inform beneficiaries about their rights;

* Develop organizational and lobbying skills

* Strengthen capacity to articulate and promote rights in public arenas;

* Promote dialogue among a broad spectrum of stakeholders and decision-makers.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

TANZANIA

Key Findings

* According to the ICPD+10 review, the country appears in the "highest risk" category of 133 countries based on 13 indicators of sexual and reproductive health and general development. Large inequities in services and disparities in health statistics exist across the country. In addition, given the country's diversity (120 ethnic groups), sexual and reproductive health efforts and interventions have to be contextualized and localized to have the desired effects.

* The shift of responsibility in the provision of social services from the Government as the...