Articles about Kenya

  About EmpowHER: EmpowHER (Ensuring Inclusive SRHR Delivery for Women, Girls and Marginalised Communities) is a six-year initiative with three key priority areas: Increasing access to quality, person-centred abortion care. Empowering young people to act on their sexual and reproductive rights by expanding access to Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE). This is delivered through our CSE Centres of Excellence in Ghana, Togo and Colombia.  Pushing back against the anti-rights agenda through coalition and movement-building, as well as advocacy work with our Member Associations. This restricted-funded project will support IPPF’s Strategy 2028 and donor commitments to advance the health and rights of women and girls in all their diversity around the world, ensuring that they can decide what to do with their bodies, their lives, and their futures. Donor: Global Affairs Canada Implementing MAs: Bénin (Association Béninoise pour la Promotion de la Famille) Burkina Faso (ABBEF), Colombia (Profamilia), Ecuador (CEMOPLAF), Ghana (PPAG), Guinea-Bissau (AGUIBEF), Kenya (RHN), Mauritania, (AMPF) Pakistan (FPAP), Sudan (SFPA), Togo (ATBEF), Uganda (RHU), and Zambia (PPAZ).  Duration: 1st April 2024 – 31st March 2030 (6 years) Total Budget: CAD $48,000,000 

Every year on 19 October, the world marks the International Day against breast cancer, with the aim of raising awareness and promoting women´s access to quality and timely diagnoses and treatment. In this article, we learn more about the work of IPPF's Member Association in Kenya, Reproductive Health Network (RHNK) in addressing breast cancer in the country. By Nancy Lynn Kavuka Breast Cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women worldwide and the main reason why women die from cancer. According to WHO, in 2022, 2.3M women were diagnosed with Breast Cancer and 670,000 deaths reported globally. Women are at an increased chance of developing breast cancer at 99% while only about 1% of men develop the disease. In Kenya, Breast cancer is the leading type of Cancer at 16.1%. An estimated 6,799 cases were diagnosed in 2020 with 3,107 reported deaths (GLOBOCAN) 2020. The most common cause of death is late diagnosis, as the disease is harder to treat once it has progressed. Despite the efforts from the government in creating awareness on the disease, there is still increased morbidity and mortality rates. This is due to the late diagnosis and, in most cases, to the spread to other tissues or organs. Data from the Kenya National Cancer Registry 2014-2019 (KNCR) show that 7 out of 10 cancers are diagnosed at advanced stages (stage III and stage IV). IPPF’s Member Association in Kenya, Reproductive Health Network Kenya (RHNK) is a network of over 500 trained health professionals from private and public health facilities. With presence in 43 counties, RHNK is dedicated to comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), active advocacy, and service provision among other contributors to maternal health challenges. RHNK implements strategic interventions to improve maternal healthcare outcomes in Kenya. Breast cancer awareness outreaches by RHNK RHNK actively participates in various outreach and in-reach programs implementation across counties to address the challenges of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in Kenya. Through these outreach efforts and humanitarian works, free screenings and educational workshops in marginalized communities and health workshops focus on awareness and self-examination techniques. Poverty and inaccessibility to healthcare facilities have significantly contributed to the late diagnosis of breast cancer patients in Kenya, as many cannot afford the confirmatory tests necessary to begin treatment. In some instances, essential treatments are unavailable at public facilities, and due to financial constraints, patients are unable to seek care at private facilities. Insurance coverage can help offset some medical expenses; however, many individuals lack this support, making it challenging to access the required treatment. This situation often leads to disease advancement and potentially life-threatening complications. October being breast cancer awareness month, provides an opportunity to create awareness on the disease on social media platforms and through Nena na Binti, a toll free call center platform at RHNK where individuals can receive knowledge, and access services for examination and diagnosis of the disease. Collaboration with partners to address breast cancer There is a need for the government and other stakeholders (private sector and NGOs) to come together and support in managing the breast cancer crisis. This can be effectively done by holding community engagements, continuous medical examinations, and integration of services in our health facilities. This ensures that women are not only receiving knowledge on breast cancer when they visit the gynecological clinics, but even in the outpatients’ departments and any other clinics they may visit in the hospital. Improving infrastructure at all levels of health facilities is crucial in early diagnosis and follow up care for all patients. Effective referral systems from any suspicious detection in the lower-level facilities should be documented, and client referred to the next level of care and early treatment commenced. Campaigns promoting the wellbeing of the community by increasing awareness of breast cancer, early detection, treatment, and palliative care should be undertaken. Homecare providers also play a crucial role in taking care of the patients and it is important to involve them during diagnosis, treatment and home-based care of the sick person. Support groups and psychotherapy for people with breast cancer and their caregivers will improve their mental and emotional state and ensure they are on constant follow up. This is important in detecting any complications, drug failure, metastasis or any other illnesses that may come up during this period. Breast cancer correlates with several sustainable development goals (SDGs) that relate to health, gender equality and reducing inequalities. Efforts to improve access to care, affordability of services and treatment should be a priority by the government to ensure that patients get early detection of disease and treatment commenced soon after detection to reduce morbidity and mortality rates. For us to achieve the one third reduction mortality rates in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) where breast cancer contributes highly to the crisis, the government should ensure that measures are in place to fight against breast cancer and save lives or prolong life for the affected patients. Resources should be dedicated to preventive measures in the universal health coverage (UHC) schemes that can be highly effective in saving lives and reducing the cost of cancer to public health systems. UHC aims at ensuring that all Kenyans access and receive essential quality health services without suffering financial hardship. These services include promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative health services. Raising public awareness about modifiable cancer risk factors (such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, unhealthy foods, lack of physical exercise and vaccination against HPV and Hepatitis B) can help save lives and reduce the cost of cancer to public health systems. Addressing the barriers to breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in Kenya requires a multifaceted approach. Through targeted outreach and in reach efforts, we can improve access to care and ensure that all patients receive the timely treatment they need. By raising awareness and fostering community engagement, we can work together to combat the impact of poverty on breast cancer outcomes and save lives. Nancy Lynn Kavuka is the Service Delivery Manager at RHNK. 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By Maryanne W. WAWERU In July this year, Kenya joined the global community in celebrating the annual World Population Day in an event held in the capital city of Nairobi, and hosted by The National Council for Population and Development (NCPD). The focus of the event was on harnessing data to drive evidence-based policymaking, particularly in addressing the challenges faced by adolescents and young people. During the event, NCPD –a State corporation responsible for the coordination and implementation of population and development activities in Kenya, recognized the contribution of key stakeholders and partners in the execution of its mandate, one of them being IPPF’s Member Association in the country –Reproductive Health Network Kenya (RHNK). In this interview with Ms. Nelly Munyasia, RHNK’s Executive Director, we learn more about the organization’s partnership with the Kenyan government on population programmes. Tell us more about RHNK's partnership with the Kenyan government on population programmes. RHNK, with its network of over 600 healthcare providers in 44 counties in Kenya (out of 47), complements the government’s efforts towards achieving the ICPD25 and FP2030 commitments by advocating for a rights-based approach to sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR), thus ensuring universal access to services. As a private sector actor with a mission to improve access to quality and comprehensive sexual reproductive health (SRH) information and services through strategic partnerships, and cognizant of the challenges posed by rapid population growth and a youthful demographic, RHNK works closely with both the Ministry of Health (MoH) through the Division of Reproductive and Maternal Health (DRMH), and the National Council for Population and Development (NCPD) to achieve its mandate. RHNK’s role in Kenya’s SRHR national advocacy and policy initiatives We are members of DRMH Technical Working Group, supporting the development and implementation of progressive, comprehensive SRHR laws, policies and guidelines. In this capacity, RHNK supports policy development, advocacy initiatives, capacity building, service provision and data and evidence generation. Notably, together with other civil society organizations and stakeholders, RHNK supported the DRMH in the development of the Kenya Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) Policy (2017-2030), the Clinical Handbook on the Prevention and Management of the BIG 5 Direct Causes of Maternal Morbidity and Mortality in Kenya (Big 5 Clinical Handbook), the National Guideline on Mifepristone and Misoprostol Combination (combi-pack), the National Guidelines for Self-Care in Reproductive Health, and the Kenya DMPA-SC Costed Implementation Plan (2024-2030), among others. RHNK’s partnership with the NCPD As an organization that has adolescents and youth at its core, RHNK’s recent participation in the National Adolescent, Sexual & Reproductive Health Technical Working Group of the MoH, we contributed significantly to the development of the national Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health (AYSRH) Annual Work Plan for 2024/2025. Here, RHNK shared best practices and evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing teenage pregnancy and improving SRHR outcomes for adolescents and youth. RHNK is also a member of NCPD’s Family Planning Advocacy Technical Working Group, and recently supported the development of the Family Planning Advocacy Tool Kit (2023). Additionally, RHNK alongside other partners, supported the development and launch of the Kenya National Population Policy for Sustainable Development (2024). In July 2024, RHNK was incorporated as a member of the Multi-Stakeholder Technical Planning Committee, a committee that is working to position Kenya to inform and influence the future agenda on population at the UN Summit of the Future to be held in New York in September 2024. Further, RHNK is a constant contributor to the civil society organizations (CSOs) ICPD25 commitment reporting and tracking –a dashboard monitoring the implementation of ICPD commitments in Kenya. How does RHNK's data on adolescents and youth inform the organization's programmes? Layered on RHNK’s provider network is a youth-centric approach to SRHR programming. Subsequently, adolescent and youth engagement is a stand-alone strategic pillar which provides a framework for youth programming in all our work. The evidence and data we generate within RHNK on adolescent and youth is utilized to make person-centered programmatic interventions that address the unique challenges faced by this vulnerable population. For example, during the Covid-19 period, RHNK identified the alarming rise in cases of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), unsafe abortions, teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection among adolescents and young people, especially women and girls. The data highlighted that school closures and lockdown measures exacerbated the vulnerability of young people to SGBV, with many cases going unreported due to limited access to SRHR services. In response, RHNK intensified its advocacy efforts by engaging policymakers to prioritize adolescent SRH in the national COVID-19 response. During the pandemic, RHNK launched the Nena Na Binti hotline, which has now grown to a call center offering telemedicine services including 24/7 support for survivors of SGBV, counselling, pro-bono legal assistance and referrals to health care providers. The hotline not only provided immediate support to affected adolescents and young people, but also led to policy shifts that led to prioritization of AYSRH during the pandemic. Is the data available on Kenya’s adolescents and young people enough? Indeed, Kenya has made significant progress in collecting and analyzing data on adolescents and youth. However, there are still gaps in coverage, particularly in areas such as self-care, mental health, disability, and experiences of marginalized youth including but not limited to young people in the LGBTQ community. Data disaggregation by age, gender, and other socio-economic factors is often insufficient, limiting the ability to fully understand the diverse needs of different groups of adolescents and young people in all their diversities. In addition, going by the track20 FP2030 report for 2024, research and data collection across the country focuses more on commodity and service uptake, with minimal interest in other areas, such as social behavior change. Data collection is also affected by some of the existing restrictive policies and legal frameworks that relate to SRH services. The gaps in data collection that reflect the emerging health challenges faced by adolescents and young people in the country hinder evidence-based decision making by stakeholders. These gaps are an obstacle to the attainment of political prioritization of SRHR for adolescents and young people in Kenya, leading to lack of consensus on a cohesive public positioning of the problems faced by this population. This is further compounded by the general perception by politicians that some of the special groups (for example, adolescents) lack political power, which makes politicians reluctant to act on the existing data on the severity of the problem. How is RHNK embracing digital innovations to ensure that more data on adolescents and youth is effectively captured, analysed, disseminated and utilized? RHNK has integrated a digital data collection tool into its organizational electronic resource planning software to gather information from adolescents and youth. Additionally, mobile-based surveys and digital questionnaires through apps such as survey monkey are utilized during in-reaches and outreaches, clinic visits and school-based programs to collect qualitative feedback to evaluate quality of services and our impact on social behavior change communication. Further, regular virtual data review meetings within the youth committee inform our programming, while regular social media engagements and webinars are used to disseminate evidence and best practices. Also read: RHNK -How partnership increased access to SRHR services during Nairobi’s flooding crisis Follow IPPF Africa Region on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube.

By Maryanne W. WAWERU Kenya recently experienced heavy downpours that left widespread destruction, including loss of human lives. In this article, we highlight the response of IPPF’s Collaborative Partner in Kenya –Reproductive Health Network Kenya (RHNK) to the humanitarian crisis occasioned by the floods. RHNK’s intervention was in two sub-counties in Kenya’s capital city of Nairobi, which was one of the hardest hit areas. The sub-counties are Embakasi East and Ruaraka. RHNK’s response, in partnership with the Nairobi County government, was supported by funds from IPPF’s humanitarian programme. Between April – May 2024, Kenya experienced torrential rains combined with mudslides and flash flooding, all of which left a trail of widespread destruction in their wake. The heavy downpours saw several rivers across the country burst their banks, with various infrastructure –including roads and bridges being destroyed or washed away. During this period, several residential and commercial buildings, schools, police stations, markets and health facilities across the country were left submerged from the heavier-than-usual rainfall. According to government statistics, over 290 people lost their lives. The floods further resulted in the displacement of over 55,631 households, affecting approximately 278,155 individuals. Another 82,552 households, comprising about 412,763 persons were directly impacted. This situation led to a humanitarian crisis across several parts of the country where, forced out of their homes, populations had to make do in makeshift camps, churches, social halls, and other temporary structures. Important to note is that during crisis situations such as these, essential health services are often disrupted, with those pertaining to sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) being among the most neglected, according to Dr. Augustin Paluku, the Senior Humanitarian Advisor at the IPPF Africa Regional Office. “Such displacement of populations affects the most vulnerable people in society. One-quarter of those affected by humanitarian emergencies are women and girls aged 15-49. In crisis settings there is also a heightened risk of early marriage, rape and sexual violence, unsafe abortions and unattended births. Transmission rates of STIs, including HIV, increase in emergencies,” says Dr. Paluku. Desperate situation among displaced populations in Nairobi Mrs. Robina Anene-Muli is the Reproductive Health Coordinator, in Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi. Her work entails coordinating all reproductive, maternal and new-born health activities and programmes in Nairobi County. Her office is also mandated to collaborate with partners and stakeholders in the reproductive health space. As the April – May rains continued pounding the country relentlessly, Robina would suffer anxiety as the number of those displaced by floods in Nairobi swelled by the day. She knew what this meant for the vulnerable populations. “We had pregnant women, women, adolescent girls, teenage mothers, children, men, and the elderly all huddled together in makeshift camps, churches, and community halls. Hurriedly ejected from their houses and in a bid to save their lives, most were unable to salvage anything. Apart from losing household items, they had also lost important documents and their medication including family planning pills, other contraceptives and ARVs.” The flooding situation had, twice, forced the government to postpone the reopening of schools and all learning institutions. “The situation was dire,” Robina says. “The crisis did not mean that sexual activities had been put on hold. This presented potential health risks for the displaced. In a situation where they were away from health facilities and could not access condoms and other contraceptives, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) –medicines which help prevent HIV infection, the risks included unprotected sex, unplanned pregnancies, and spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. Worse, at the camps were reported cases of gender-based violence (GBV) and sexual assault including rape. We were staring at the likelihood of unsafe abortions, and possible mortalities from these,” she adds. Robina knew she had to act fast. Collaboration with local IPPF partner organization While she had sufficient supplies and commodities to serve the displaced populations, the required intervention needed much more resources which her office did not have. Thankfully, she knew of a reliable partner she could turn to –a dependable organization she had worked with before. This organization’s credibility within the Nairobi County health management circles was undoubted. The organization was Reproductive Health Network Kenya (RHNK). Robina picked up the phone and dialled. Ms. Nelly Munyasia, RHNK’s Executive Director answered the call. “When I received the call from Robina, there was no doubt in my mind that we had to intervene. The need to do so was borne from our mission and that of IPPF –serving the marginalized and vulnerable populations, including those in emergency settings. Our joint intervention would be in the form of a mobile camp/clinic, which would ensure that most of the displaced populations and their host communities were reached with sexual reproductive health services. I quickly mobilized resources, granted by IPPF’s Stream 3 funds under its Humanitarian programme,” she says. Together, RHNK and the Nairobi County reproductive health management teams -supported by the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) of Embakasi East Dr. Moses Owino and his Ruaraka counterpart Dr. Robert Kariuki, identified the most affected areas and prioritized them. The two sub-Counties of Embakasi East and Ruaraka, which are low-income areas with huge slum populations, had the highest number of displaced people, most being the youth. The two sub-counties would be their locales for intervention. Five-day successful mobile clinic in a humanitarian setting in Nairobi That phone conversation between Robina and Nelly resulted in a five-day mobile camp/clinic, undertaken in successful collaboration between RHNK and the Nairobi County government. A total of 2,555 people were served with SRHR information and services in the five days. All services were offered at no cost, which was a lifeline for the vulnerable populations. The services included the full range of modern family planning methods (implants, pills and injectables) condom distribution, cervical cancer screening and referral services, HPV vaccination for girls aged 10-14 years, HIV testing, pregnancy and post-pregnancy services, as well as child immunization services. Others included counselling, PrEP and PEP services. “During the mobile camp/clinic, which was undertaken in different sites within Embakasi East and Ruaraka sub-counties, we had erected several tents in strategic locations that were accessible to the target population. We reinforced this with a mobile truck (supported by AMREF) that moved from place to place, ensuring that as many people were reached. Privacy for clients in the tents and in the mobile truck was ensured, which enabled clients to be served with utmost respect and dignity,” says Nelly. Beneficiaries like Atieno, 21, who accessed the services with her seven-month old baby, shared her sentiments about the mobile camp/clinic. “I was delighted when I heard the announcement that family planning services were being offered for free at this mobile clinic. For a long time, I had been planning to get the services at the local health center, but it was difficult because I have a small baby and with lots of chores in the house, it was not possible. So, you can imagine how relieved I was to hear that I could get the services right here, and at no cost! I’m happy now because I don’t have to worry about getting pregnant again soon –something that has been my greatest fear,” said the young mother immediately after accessing services. Robina says she looks forward to more of such successful partnerships with RHNK. “Even though we had the commodities and supplies needed, it would not have been possible to undertake this activity without RHNK. The organization catered for all the tents, the service providers, the community health promoters, mobilizers and all other expenses related to the five-day activity. We were able to serve 2,555 people in Ruaraka and Embakasi East sub-Counties because of RHNK’s valuable collaboration with us. This is a worthwhile partnership, and we commit to continue working with RHNK on more programmes and activities,” she said. Follow IPPF Africa Region on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube.

In planning to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Maputo Protocol, it became evident that many young people may be unaware of the protocol and its contents since it was created before their birth or when they were toddlers. The IPPFAR social media campaign, titled “Got the Maputo Tea?” stood out as a solution to drive forward the message and the agenda of the Maputo Protocol. This campaign kicked off on 6th July 2023 and concluded on 10th August 2023, and targeted girls aged 20 and thereabouts. The campaign has been a lesson in digital innovation, as it sought to channel the power of social media to raise awareness, ignite conversations and drive engagement with a young target audience. Here’s a quick recap of the campaign. The Maputo Protocol is a landmark treaty that was adopted by the African Union in 2003. It is the first international human rights treaty to specifically address the rights of women in Africa. The Protocol covers a wide range of issues, including: Gender equality and non-discrimination: The Protocol affirms the right of women to be equal to men in all aspects of life, and prohibits all forms of discrimination against women. Violence against women: The Protocol defines violence against women and girls, and commits States Parties to take measures to prevent and eradicate all forms of violence against women. Sexual and reproductive health and rights: The Protocol recognizes the right of women to sexual and reproductive health and rights, including the right to safe and legal abortion. Economic and social rights: The Protocol recognizes the right of women to economic and social rights, including the right to work, the right to education, and the right to health care. The Maputo Tea Party Event Converging Passion and Purpose  To kick off the 20th Anniversary of the Maputo Protocol celebration, the Maputo Tea Party Event was held at the IPPFAR office on 6th July 2023. To bring this event to life, IPPFAR staff, partners, social media campaign influencers and vibrant young individuals came together to share information and hold an open discussion on the Maputo Protocol. The event was physically attended by more than 75 participants and featured a panel of 5 stakeholders leading the discussion. Online, through live streaming, another 162 individuals experienced the event.  University Street Shoot to Nurture Awareness and Spark Conversation  To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Maputo Protocol on the 11th of July 2023, the campaign influencers participated in a street shoot targeting students from Strathmore University, Nairobi. The students were prompted with the question “Do you know about the Maputo Tea?” Their responses revealed the varying levels of awareness and opened the door for insightful conversations. A total of 30 students participated and were captured on video. Following their participation, participants were treated to a cup of tea, creating the atmosphere for sharing information and vital insights about the protocol’s profound significance. Using Technology to Bring Out the African Spirit Being dynamic on the IPPFAR social media platforms was at the heart of the Got the Maputo Tea campaign. A revolutionary approach of using AI-generated images that seamlessly incorporate African elements while bringing out the African spirit was included in the visual posts. With African women joyfully sharing tea, laughing together or the more solemn facial expressions on some posts, the images resonated with different emotional appeals. These images and their captions were shared across different platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. The posts were designed to reach a diverse audience and drive forth empowering messaging.   Amplifying the Message with Influencer Voices Central to the campaign’s success were two female influencers, Michelle Brendah and Leslie Muthoni (Anxietities). Through a blend of video narratives and sharing of key visuals, they actively participated in the campaign from inception to culmination. Their contributions helped to foster resonance and connection with their followers across different social media platforms. To create a ripple effect in the communication, a network of 30 nano-influencers also participated in the campaign using Twitter and TikTok as the main platforms. Their active and enthusiastic participation resulted in the campaign hashtag #maputoteaparty trending on the date of the 20th Anniversary celebration, 11th July 2023, on Twitter. Videos and an Article as Catalysts for Change For exciting and engaging content creation, videos from the Maputo Tea Party and the University Street Shoot were used to provide educational narratives about the Maputo Protocol. These videos were edited and used as both organic and sponsored posts on social media platforms. The aim of these videos was to offer deeper education to audiences and connect with them on a more emotional level. An article to kick off the campaign was also featured on the IPPFAR website and shared across its social media pages. To the reading audience, the article helped offer guidance on the campaign’s objectives, activities, and accomplishments. The "Got the Maputo Tea?" campaign was a success, with over 268,000 views and impressions from social media posts and videos. The campaign also resonated with the young target audience, with over 24,350 likes on social media posts. As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of this protocol, the "Got the Maputo Tea?" campaign has laid a strong foundation for furthering its aims and ideals. It has proven that creative digital strategy can make human rights issues relatable and inspiring to youth. The passion and dedication of all involved have made this campaign a remarkable success story of using social media for social good. IPPFAR has set a new benchmark for bringing important regional issues to the digital space.

  Feminist Opportunities Now (FON) is a programme that aims to build capacity of feminist organisations via subgrants to enhance more diverse and resilient Civil Society Organisations when addressing and responding to gender-based violence, inequalities, discrimination and other human rights violations related to gender. International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) is the FON consortium lead, with the other consortium partners being Médecins du Monde (MdM-FR), Creating Resources for Empowerment and Action Inc. (CREA), the International Federation on Human Rights (FIDH) and Empow’Her (EH). The programme is funded by the French Government via the French Development Agency (AFD). The actions of the consortium's member organizations are guided by feminist principles and a strong commitment to promoting human rights and combating inequalities and discrimination, particularly against women and girls. With extensive experience in the themes covered by the program's mandates and complementary expertise, they provide a solid foundation for the program's comprehensive and holistic approach. Where: Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Colombia, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Republic of Guinea, Kenya, Mexico, Niger, Sri Lanka. When: 2022-2026 The Challenge  Gender inequalities continue to impact half of the world’s population on a global scale and remain one of the primary barriers to human development. The FON Programme aims to tackle these inequalities by addressing several key challenges: Insufficient or ineffective implementation of comprehensive laws, policies, and legal frameworks to combat gender inequalities globally, which has resulted in worsening disparities. Inadequate application of these frameworks has further widened inequalities and increased the vulnerability of women and girls, particularly those with disabilities, living with HIV, sex workers, and individuals of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities (SOGI). The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly exacerbated social and economic issues, leading to a rise in gender-based violence (GBV). Insufficient involvement of people with disabilities (who make up 15% of the global population), LGBTI+ individuals, sex workers, and people living with HIV/AIDS in initiatives to advocate for their rights, resulting in limited participation in preventing and responding to violence. A lack of support for emerging or relatively new Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), many of which are not formally recognized. Despite their enthusiasm and dynamic efforts, these organizations continue to face obstacles that limit their ability to combat GBV and promote women's rights. The absence of an innovative and flexible financing system to enhance the contributions of diverse CSOs in the Global South toward reducing GBV. Objectives of the Programme  To Improve the sustainability of feminist CSOs at the organizational and technical levels by proposing an inclusive approach to capacity building.   To support the resilience and diversity of feminist CSOs through access to flexible, sustainable financing mechanisms tailored to small and/or informal and/or marginalized CSOs. To strengthen a networked movement of feminist CSOs in the Global South, linking these CSOs and national, regional, and international networks, to make their voices heard on the public stage.     To promote innovation at all levels of the programme by the CSOs themselves and the consortium member organisations.   Targets of the Programme  Feminist CSOs working with and/or for the various structurally excluded groups. Activist organizations working with or led by people who may face particularly high discrimination. Gender inequalities and GBV, such as members of the LGBTI+ community and in general people with diverse sexual orientation and gender identities and Gender Expressions (SOGIE). People living with disabilities. People with HIV/AIDS.  Sex workers.  Indirectly, targets of advocacy activities (regional bodies, national / local authorities, etc) Approaches of the Programme  FON seeks to empower feminist organizations through subgrants to create more diverse and resilient CSOs in their efforts to address and respond to gender-based violence, inequalities, discrimination, and other human rights violations related to gender. To support this mission, FON will establish Regional Coordination and Advisory Committees in each region—Africa, Asia, and Latin America. These committees will play a crucial role in promoting inclusiveness and identifying opportunities for advocacy. The subgranting process will be structured into three funding windows, with the first call for proposals set to launch in April 2023: Window 1 : Boost The goal of this window is to enhance the capacity of feminist CSOs to navigate external challenges (such as political instability or insecurity) and internal obstacles (such as organizational difficulties, need for co-funding or additional program components). This window also provides flexibility, allowing CSOs to apply for grants to seize new opportunities in programming or advocacy. Window 2: Programmatic & Organizational Development This window is designed to support small and mid-sized CSOs aiming to grow their organizational, technical, and programmatic capacities. It aims to fund specific programs while simultaneously strengthening the overall capacity of the recipient organizations. Window 3: Synergies This window will provide funding for networks, movements, and alliances to carry out advocacy activities related to GBV and for organizations looking to join existing networks. It focuses on fostering network and alliance building and increasing visibility on national, regional, and international platforms.   Location Justification  Equity is a fundamental component of the FON implementation strategy. The programme will be carried out in 10 countries: six in Africa (Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Kenya, and Niger), two in Latin America (Colombia and Mexico), and two in Asia (Bangladesh and Sri Lanka). The selection of these locations was carefully considered based on the following criteria: Countries where there is a strong need for CSO support and a high potential for exchanges and collaborations. Locations with existing normative and policy frameworks that are not fully implemented or respected in national laws. Countries with significant and varied needs among their populations, indicating a broad potential for learning and training. Contexts where gender-based violence is prevalent, increasing the necessity for support to feminist CSOs. Opportunities for collaboration with other existing and/or new initiatives. Find out more about FON in English, French or Spanish  

7 February 2023, Nairobi, Kenya – The International Planned Parenthood (IPPF) Africa Region in collaboration with the French Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, launches a new program which aims at strengthening feminist civil society organisations (CSOs) in 10 countries and over 3 continents – the Feminist Opportunities Now (FON) project. The Feminist Opportunities Now project will help small feminist local organisations become more diverse and resilient when addressing and responding to gender-based violence, inequalities, discrimination and other human rights violations related to gender. The program is funded by the French Government via the French Development Agency (AFD). This project will be implemented in 10 countries, including six in Africa (Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Ethiopia, Kenya and potentially Niger). Others are Colombia, Mexico, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Speaking during the launch of the FON project held at the French Embassy in Nairobi on 7 February, the IPPF Africa Regional Director, Ms. Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry said “gender-based violence in all its forms is recognised as a human rights violation by the international human rights framework and jurisprudence. Gender inequality, power imbalance and lack of respect for human rights are often the root causes of such heinous acts and prevent survivors from accessing and enjoying their full sexual and reproductive health and rights. As human rights defenders, we must all take a stand and put a stop to these inexcusable acts.” The Feminist Opportunities Now is a project which is grounded on feminist principles with a deep commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights and the fight against inequalities and discrimination, especially against women and girls. END For media enquiries, please contact: Mahmoud Garga, Lead Specialist -Strategic Communication, Media Relations and Digital Campaigning, IPPF Africa Regional Office (IPPFARO) on [email protected] / Tel: +254 704 626 920 ABOUT THE FEMINIST OPPORTUNITIES NOW (FON) PROJECT The objective of the project Feminist Opportunities Now (FON), is to build the capacity of women's movements, via sub-grants to feminist organisations, with a particular effort to reaching small, often non-registered, organisations to address and respond to gender-based violence. The programme is developed based on an ecological model, using multi-disciplinary gender-transformative approaches. In addition to direct sub-granting (for € 7 million), FON will also provide a unique opportunity for longer-term mentorship to support feminist organisations in their overall development, with trainings specifically tailored to their needs. FON will also uniquely support the organisations to identify other/diverse sources of funding and also includes a research-action component to understand how these approaches can be scaled-up and made sustainable. ABOUT IPPF AFRICA REGION (IPPFAR) The International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) is one of the leading sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service delivery organization in Africa, and a leading sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) advocacy voice in the region. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the overarching goal of IPPFAR is to increase access to SRHR services to the most vulnerable youth, men and women in sub-Saharan Africa. Learn more about us on our website. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube. ABOUT THE FEMINIST OPPORTUNITIES NOW CONSORTIUM The consortium that will implement this project is composed of the International Federation for Family Planning Africa Regional Office as lead agency, Creating Resources for Empowerment and Action Inc. (CREA), Empow'Her (EH), the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and Médecins du Monde-France (MdM-FR).  

      CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST The International Planned Parenthood Federation for Africa Region (IPPFAR) is pleased to announce a call for Expressions of Interest for interested organizations to become involved in their Feminist Opportunities Now (FON) programme, and join the Regional Coordination and Advisory Committee (RCAC), the advisory body that will to ensure inclusive and participatory governance of FON’s grant-making mechanism for feminist organizations across Africa: Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Guinea, the Ivory Coast, Kenya and potentially Niger.   Apply by 19 February 2023 More infos : https://bit.ly/3wJeV7o    

In Kenya, abortion is regulated by article 26(4) of the Constitution which states that: abortion is permitted (and legal) when in the opinion of a trained health professional, there is need for emergency treatment, or the life or health of the mother is in danger, or if permitted by any other written law. Unsafe abortion in Kenya is among the highest in Africa. According to Dr Ann Kihara from the International Federation of Gygaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) maternal mortality is high at about 6,000 deaths per year and 17% of them are as a result of complications from unsafe abortion. Most of these cases have moderate to severe complications requiring specialized treatment and often have lasting health effects. Despite these statistics, most healthcare providers in Kenya lack comprehensive knowledge on the laws that and access to abortion care, and the skills to effectively assess, recommend and provide abortion care within the constitutional provision. Moreover, existing adverse social cultural and religious beliefs create barriers for effective counseling, assessment, referrals, and provision of life saving comprehensive abortion services. Through the support of the Guttmacher Institute and the International Plan Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR), Reproductive Health Network Kenya (RHNK) conducted a training for private healthcare providers on Comprehensive Abortion Care (CAC) from 17th to 21st October 2022 in Bungoma County, Western Kenya. The training included in depth learning activities and discussions on the legal framework for comprehensive abortion care, consequences of unsafe abortion in Kenya, counselling for post abortion care (PAC), infection prevention, complications and management, counselling for informed decision making in post abortion care and pain management. The main objective of the training was to contribute towards reduction of abortion stigma and creating an enabling environment for quality service provision by private healthcare providers in the County. Beverlynn Juma, a service provider in Misikhu, shared: “Bungoma County has high incidents of unsafe abortions because people are not open about it, so many unsafe abortions go unreported. CAC training will enable most service providers to be open about the fact that they provide safe abortion services, leading to increased awareness of the availability of these services. Reproductive Health Network Kenya in partnership with the county government will improve the state of abortion by enabling girls to be able to go for the procedure freely hence reducing mortality rates’’. From the testimonials shared by Beverly and other healthcare providers in the training; access to safe abortion information in Bungoma County is also limited due to knowledge gaps on the legality of the service and their obligation as providers. Martin Onyango, the Strategic Legal Expert at the Centre for Reproductive Rights Africa Region stated that his hope and wish is that “…the training invokes the desire to offer safe services by providers and equally empower them to be champions and advocates for safe abortion in their county”. The Bungoma County Reproductive Health Coordinator, Mrs. Christine Naliaka expressed her appreciation for the training and partnership between RHNK and the County government of Bungoma, which in her opinion is very timely and said: “there still exists stigma of CAC & PAC services, clients still hide and don’t open up to safe abortion services despite inevitable conditions like miscarriages. Some of the challenges faced by the facilities in provision of abortion services is that the providers don’t display PAC services on their service charters, no financial allocation of PAC/CAC services from the county government, reporting tools are not available in all facilities, and there is no capacity building of the providers”.   She acknowledged the contribution of partners in promoting service access as most clients from Bungoma receive services from private facilities. Christine also recommended support supervision visits after the training to ascertain whether the providers are compliant and giving quality services such as PAC/CAC as an emergency service. She also mentioned that collaborations and partnership between should be deepened to bridge the information gap in service access, and critically partners should work seamlessly with the county structures to provide more information to the public while working on building the capacity of the providers to create a favorable working environment, and stronger continuum of care.  “The training has been successful especially in terms of establishing a network of providers in Bungoma County as well as filling the gaps in terms of skills gap and having necessary knowledge to provide the services. We believe that the providers we have trained will be part of the network for Bungoma County under RHNK umbrella and provide quality services especially to the under-reached population, the youth, adolescents and women in the rural areas.’’ Dr. Wambulwa, Bungoma County Pharmacist. In order to reduce maternal mortality, it is critical that key stakeholders’ intensify preventive promotive SRHR campaigns for right holders’ awareness of their needs. Stakeholders’ should also promote public-private partnership in building the capacity of Health Care Providers in understanding their professional roles and provision of fundamental human rights. “We applaud the County Government of Bungoma, and all the other partnerships and actors who are working continually and untiringly to expand access to abortion care. Almost 90% of abortions in countries with liberal abortion laws are considered safe, compared to only 25% in countries where abortion is banned. This is a serious violation of human rights. Medical abortion has revolutionised access to care and safe abortion, both inside and outside the health system. These advances must be protected, and at IPPF we are committed to expanding the knowledge of and acceptance around abortion care, reducing the number of deaths of women and girls who are forced to turn to unsafe abortion methods,” said Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry, Regional Director of the International Planned Parenthood Federation, Africa Region. The government should prioritize aligning SRHR legal frameworks to create an enabling environment for access to information and healthcare by all. They should ensure increased funds allocation to SRHR including abortion commodities and equipment in both public and private facilities for access to quality and comprehensive SRHR. In conclusion there is need for investment in research for continuous SRHR evidence generation to inform current and future programming centered on the needs of providers, communities and other stakeholders.

Stanley Ngara, from Kenya, is commonly known as the ‘King of Condom’. Stanley spends his days educating people about safe sex practices and distributing condoms. He distributes condoms -for free- to different groups of people among them youth, sex workers, motorbike riders, university students, market traders and even drug users. Stanley is passionate about raising awareness on issues of sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR), including HIV and AIDS. IPPF Africa Region met Stanley during one of his regular outreach activities in his home area of Kiambu County, located in Kenya’s Central region, and brings you his story. IPPF supports champions like Stanley, who are committed to raising awareness on different SRHR issues in their communities.