Success Factors of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Interventions in Eastern Africa - A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Pauliina Rahkonen Success Factors of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Interventions in Eastern African – A Qualitative Study 51 pages, 1 attachment February 2023 Diaconia University of Applied Sciences Master of Healthcare Master’s Degree Programme in Global Change and Community Development

There are still remarkable inequalities in sexual and reproductive health and rights, especially among women living in middle- and low-income countries. Women and girls are suffering from poor menstrual health management, gender based violence, teenage pregnancies, female genital mutilation, and the lack of adequate healthcare services. It is necessary to increase the knowledge of human rights to empower women and girls to reach their full potential. Even though there has been improvement during the past years, it is still important to continue developing SRHR practices.

This thesis is done in cooperation with Fida International. The purpose of the thesis is to identify success factors of NGO-led sexual and reproductive health and rights interventions in Eastern African countries based on Fida’s development cooperation programs and to make suggestions for an effective operating model. The objective is to generate knowledge that can be used to improve the planning process and implementation of SRHR interventions in local communities.

This study is qualitative. The semi-structured interview method was used to get a deeper insight into the success factors and effective approaches in SRHR interventions implemented by Fida International. The research environment included the following East African countries: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and The Democratic Republic of the Congo. The participants in the interviews were Fida International’s country managers and SRHR ambassadors, i.e the local people who have run the programs on the grassroots level.

The main findings were the importance of the gatekeepers, e.g., community leaders and religious leaders, the use of volunteers as change agents, and the collaboration with churches, healthcare organizations and schools. Menstrual health management emerged as the easiest topic to approach SRHR, thus it is a suitable opening topic. With these elements it is possible to successfully work on the key change pathways: empowering girls, engaging boys and men, supporting families, strengthening school systems, promoting community social norm change, and strengthening adolescent services and systems. In summary, operating on the most effective way requires a holistic understanding of the context. SRHR interventions should be conducted in collaboration with policymakers, gatekeepers, and healthcare organizations, not forgetting civic engagement.

Keywords: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Middle- and low-income countries, Development Cooperation Program, Eastern Africa