Focus of RHANA Advocacy interventions

RHANA’s vision is a continent where there are no deaths that are attributable to sexual and reproductive health.

The main objective of the Network is to advocate for ownership and implementation of the Maputo Plan of Action by African governments by ensuring the 15 per cent budgetary allocation to health.

The focus of RHANA’s advocacy interventions are adolescent sexual and reproductive health; Safe motherhood and newborn care; safe abortion and family planning;

It promotes the prevention and management of sexually transmitted Infections including HIV/AIDS, infertility and cancers of the reproductive system.

The network’s advocacy also focuses on reduction of gender-based violence, addressing mid-life concerns of men and women, counselling; and health education as well as fundraising for SRH in Africa.

History of RHANA

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) field in Africa operate in a complex environment with increasing demand for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, collapsing health systems and declining resources.  

At the same time there is increasing public demand for the right to participate in policies and processes that affect people’s lives and growing demand for government accountability and responsiveness to citizen’s needs.

Greater coordination and strengthening of (NGOs) to contribute effectively towards developing and shaping health policies and systems is paramount.

NGOs play the watchdog role and complement government’s efforts in ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.

IPPF Africa Region with support from UNFPA, has mobilized NGOs and community based organizations (CBOs) working in the reproductive health field to form a network that will “speak in one voice” in actively advocating SRHR and also enhance exchanging and sharing of information, and the culture of collaboration.

The network advocates among others the implementation of the Maputo Plan of Action Continental Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Policy Framework.

This Framework seeks to take the continent towards the goal of universal access to comprehensive reproductive.

Today RHANA has evolved and is now a regional coalition of civil society organizations (CSOs) from diverse constituencies relevant to SRHR advocating for the advancement of SRHR in Africa.