Building Reproductive Justice with Women of African Descent

April 13, 2026
Women’s Link Worldwide

In February, our legal associate at Women’s Link, Eliana Alcalá De Ávila, participated in a community meeting in Cali, Colombia, alongside women leaders and women of African descent from the organizations La Comadre and AFRODES. The goal was to share information about access to abortion in the country from an intersectional perspective and to open a conversation about the specific barriers that Black women—women of African descent—face in exercising their sexual and reproductive rights.

The gathering took place in Llano Verde, a neighborhood in the Aguablanca district that is home to a significant Afro-descendant population and has welcomed many people displaced by violence in the country. There, at a local public school, the women who organized the event welcomed us with a deeply meaningful gesture: a space for harmonization to begin the day.

Continued: https://womenslinkworldwide.org/en/building-reproductive-justice-with-women-of-african-descent/

13.04.2026

Commentary

Eliana Alcalá De Ávila

La Comadre

reproductive justice

Ruling C-055 of the Constitutional Court of Colombia

sexual and reproductive health

From taboo to transformation: fixing Fiji’s sexual and reproductive health gap

7 April 2026
Kristie Drucza, Kate Learmonth, Mosese Qasenivalu

Fiji is facing a worsening sexual and reproductive health crisis that is hurting young people, families and the economy, but new community research shows that Fijians already have practical solutions that could turn things around if they were properly supported.

Rising teenage pregnancy, high rates of sexually transmitted infections and HIV, and widespread violence in relationships are making it harder for girls to stay in school, work and plan their futures. These problems are not just about individual choices. They are rooted in gender inequality, silence and shame around sex, and services that often feel unwelcoming or unsafe, especially for young people and those who already face discrimination. At the same time, Fiji has a strong policy foundation and a long history of valuing family and community care, which means there is a real chance now to match commitments with action.

Continued: https://devpolicy.org/from-taboo-to-transformation-fixing-fijis-sexual-and-reproductive-health-gap-20260407/

07.04.2026

Commentary

sexual and reproductive health

Reform of frameworks for sexual and reproductive health: A regional dynamic between Togo, Cameroon and Benin

FIGO
4 March 2026
ATBEF – the Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial

In February 2026, Centre ODAS, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), and the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) conducted a regional initiative in Lomé, Togo and in Grand-Popo, Benin, aimed at strengthening the legal framework for sexual and reproductive health in Francophone Africa.

Bringing together governmental and civil society stakeholders from Togo – the Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Être Familial (ATBEF), the Société de Gynécologie et d’Obstétrique du Togo (SGOT), the Direction de la Santé de la Mère et de l’Enfant (DSME), and the Legal Division of the Ministry of Health – Cameroon – the Cameroon National Association for Family Welfare (CAMNAFAW), the Société des Obstétriciens et Gynécologues du Cameroun (SOGOC), a national Think Tank, and the Ministries of Health and Justice – and Benin – the Association Béninoise pour la Promotion de la Famille (ABPF), the Conseil National des Gynécologues et Obstétriciens du Bénin (CNGOB), the Direction de la Santé de la Mère et de l’Enfant (DSME), and the National Assembly – the proceedings enabled an in-depth analysis of national legal and health environments.

Continued: https://www.figo.org/news/reform-frameworks-sexual-and-reproductive-health-regional-dynamic-between-togo-cameroon-and

Africa region: Reservations to the Maputo Protocol undermine protection of women’s health and reproductive rights

10 Feb 2026

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) has called for the withdrawal of reservations by Algeria, Cameroon, Kenya and Uganda to article 14 of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (the Maputo Protocol).

The call came in a submission to the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) on the 28th of January 2026 in response to the ACHPR call for inputs on a draft Advocacy Framework .

Article 14 of the Maputo Protocol, guarantees women’s right to health, including sexual and reproductive health, and obliges States to authorize medical abortion in limited circumstances.

Continued: https://www.icj.org/africa-region-reservations-to-the-maputo-protocol-undermine-protection-of-womens-health-and-reproductive-rights/

10.02.2026

Commentary

ACHPR

African Commission on Human and People’s Rights

International Commission of Jurists

Kaajal Ramjathan-Keogh

Maputo Protocol

Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa

sexual and reproductive health

Africa

Health

Human Rights

Global Trends in Opposition to Women’s Reproductive Autonomy

10 September 2025
International Confederation of Midwives

Sexual and reproductive health and rights are increasingly under threat. The Trump Administration in the United States has restricted dialogue about and access to contraception and safe abortion causing a global ripple effect. A troubling trend is emerging: other governments and international organisations are following suit by limiting funding and avoiding the language of reproductive rights.

Defunding SRHR – Global Impact and Consequences
The Trump Administration has overseen the dismantling of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), withdrawn 500 million USD in global health funding, and terminated all US contributions to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN agency for sexual and reproductive health. The result is the destabilisation of global sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) initiatives, undermining progress toward gender equality, jeopardising the 2030 Agenda for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Continued: https://internationalmidwives.org/global-trends-in-opposition-to-womens-reproductive-autonomy/

Ghana – Media urged to lead campaign against unsafe abortion

March 18, 2025

The media has been charged to lead the campaign against unsafe abortions which continue to claim the lives of women and young girls in the country.

According to a Project and Advocacy Officer with the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG), Michael Tagoe, contrary to common beliefs held that abortion was illegal in the country and it was actually permissible by law.

Continued: https://ghanaiantimes.com.gh/media-urged-to-lead-campaign-against-unsafe-abortion/#google_vignette

18.03.2025

News

EmpowHER project

Emmanuel Okanta Akoto

Michael Tagoe

Naadu Awuradwoa Addico

Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana

sexual and reproductive health

Nigeria – Subnational govts urged to allocate funds for SRH, PAC, mental health

by Ishola Michael
December 14, 2024

The need for government, especially at the subnational level, to make specific fund allocations to mitigate the negative impacts of sexual and reproductive health (SRH), post-abortion care (PAC), and mental health issues has been stressed.

The call was made during a one-day meeting with stakeholders and journalists on advancing policies on SRH, post-abortion care, and mental health services through innovative advocacy, organised by the Bauchi State Ministry of Health (BSMOH) in collaboration with the Academy for Health Development (AHEAD) and the Guttmacher Institute at the SMOH Conference Hall in Bauchi.

Continued: https://tribuneonlineng.com/subnational-govts-urged-to-allocate-funds-for-srh-pac-mental-health/

14.12.2024

News

Academy for Health Development

funding for safe abortion

post-abortion care

sexual and reproductive health

5 reasons why abortion is healthcare

Access to safe abortion care has a real impact on people’s lives and health, from preventing unsafe abortions and complications to upholding bodily autonomy.

Nov 19, 2024
Doctors Without Borders

At Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), we consider safe abortion care a critical part of our sexual and reproductive healthcare services – one that can save lives and support the well-being of our patients.

Our teams around the world work in countries with varying laws and cultural views on abortion. Every day, MSF staff see firsthand how access to safe abortion care has a real impact on people’s lives and health. Anyone who seeks an abortion no matter their reason is deserving of high-quality and dignified care. When patients can access safe abortion care in their communities, the risk of complications related to unsafely induced abortion significantly decreases. There are instances in which abortion care is medically necessary to preserve an individual’s health and well-being, or even save their life. As health providers, MSF is committed to upholding medical ethics and person-centred care, which includes access to safe abortion.

Continued: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.ca/5-reasons-why-abortion-is-healthcare/

19.11.2024

Commentary

abortion saves lives

bodily autonomy

criminalization of abortion

Doctors Without Borders

Médecins Sans Frontières

safe abortion care

self-managed abortion

sexual and reproductive health

Global

Health

Human Rights

5 ways youth are powerful advocates for reproductive justice

August 7, 2024
IPAS

When it comes to sexual and reproductive health, youth are their own best advocates—driving change, raising awareness and pushing for the health care and information they need most.

That’s why Ipas empowers young leaders to champion sexual and reproductive health and rights in their communities and globally. We support youth-led campaigns for abortion law change, train young peer educators, and partner with youth-led organizations that bring innovative solutions. We know young people are powerful advocates for reproductive justice because we see it firsthand every day.

Continued: https://www.ipas.org/news/5-ways-youth-are-powerful-advocates-for-reproductive-justice/

Nigeria – WARDC engages religious, traditional leaders on preventable maternal deaths

By Ijeoma Thomas-Odia
July 21, 2024

To enhance the voices of women in Lagos to lead advocacy and demand accountability on preventable maternal deaths as well as adequate policies to end violence against women and girls, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center (WARDC), held a high-level meeting with religious and traditional leaders to address these concerns.

The two-day meeting held in Lagos with the support of Amplify Change is currently implementing Project Enhance focused on improving the sexual and reproductive health of women following the Lagos State Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Indications.

Continued: https://guardian.ng/wardc-engages-religious-traditional-leaders-on-preventable-maternal-deaths/#google_vignette