Sida reaffirms commitment to strengthening SRHR through partnership with IPPF in Kenya

A high-level delegation from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) recently visited IPPF’s Member Association in Kenya, reaffirming its commitment to sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) through locally-led, community-driven approaches. 

By Maryanne W. WAWERU

The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), one of IPPF’s longest standing core funding donor partners, has reiterated its commitment to supporting IPPF and it’s *Member Associations (MAs) in advancing sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

Sweden, through Sida, provides substantial support to global health, SRHR, and humanitarian assistance, and is widely recognised for its high levels of flexible funding to multilateral partners.

During a visit to IPPF’s affiliate in Kenya -Reproductive Health Network Kenya (RHNK) on Wednesday 22 April 2026, Ms. Sofia Östmark -the Sida Assistant Director General and Head of Global Operations, commended IPPF’s work in expanding access to essential SRHR services, more so to marginalized, vulnerable and underserved populations.  Ms. Östmark, who was accompanied by Ms. Teresa Rovira, Programme Officer (Strategy Development), engaged with RHNK staff, gaining insights into the organization’s critical advocacy and service delivery efforts -which have yielded tangible results, especially for women and girls across Kenya.

REHNET Medical Center -serving vulnerable populations

The Sida delegation also visited REHNET Medical Center, a youth-friendly facility located in the peri-urban settlement of Kwa Ndege, Embakasi, in Nairobi. The center serves as a safe space for teen mothers, LGBTQIA+ persons and sex workers, offering a wide range of safe, confidential and non-judgemental SRHR services. The visit highlighted how marginalized populations are critical players in the SRHR ecosystem and how RHNK prioritizes inclusivity, thus ensuring that no one is left behind.

At the facility, the team learned about Nena na Binti (Swahili for ‘talk to a girl’), an innovative digital health initiative that provides a toll-free hotline and WhatsApp chatbot services. Nena na Binti connects young people, women and girls to trusted counsellors and healthcare workers, ensuring they access SRHR information and services in a timely, confidential and trusted manner. Through an RHNK network of over 600 partners across the country, including in remote areas, Nena na Binti ensures that everyone in need can access services wherever they are.

Reflecting on the visit, Ms. Östmark noted that organizations like RHNK demonstrate the essence of ‘locally-led organizations doing remarkable work for the communities they serve’. She noted that “RHNK’s ability to reach communities with tailored, rights-based information and services is critical to achieving sustainable progress in SRHR.”

Dr. Edison Omollo, Head of Programmes at RHNK highlighted the value of Sida’s support in fostering sustained impact.

“Sida’s multi-year investment through IPPF enables RHNK to deliver integrated, scalable, sustainable and high-impact SRHR outcomes for women and girls in Kenya. The flexible funding allows us to adapt to evolving and emerging system realities, in the face of declining aid flows and increasing fiscal constraints -while supporting service delivery, advancing rights, building movements and generating measurable impact at scale.”

Common agenda between Sida and IPPF

Sida’s partnership with IPPF is anchored on shared commitments to equity, human rights, SRHR justice, and gender equality. By investing in IPPF, and in turn its MAs, Sida supports the growth of local organizations that address SRHR challenges while at the same time driving lasting change.

Ms. Mallah Tabot, the SRHR Lead at IPPF Africa Region, underscored the value of community-led change, but still within a global rights movement.

“RHNK is a true representation of the spirit of the IPPF movement; locally grounded and globally connected. We are proud to serve and support the work of our MAs as they continue to broaden access to high quality, rights-based SRHR services to those in need of them. We are especially grateful for Sida’s partnership in making this work possible,” she said.

As IPPF and its MAs continue responding to emerging and evolving SRHR needs, including challenges such as the rise of anti-rights actors and shifting donor landscapes, partnerships such as that with Sida remain critical in ensuring that community-driven solutions are prioritized and sustained, and that all people are reached and served.

*IPPF delivers impact through partnerships with locally-led organizations, known as MAs and Collaborative Partners (CPs). In the Africa region, IPPF is present in 39 countries.