Sweden Increases Long-Standing Investment in SRHR Across East and Southern Africa
The Government of Sweden has announced a new commitment of 30 million SEK (approximately $3.3 million USD) to boost sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) across East and Southern Africa.
This funding extends and expands on Sweden’s investment in 2gether 4 SRHR, a joint United Nations (UN) Regional Programme that brings together the combined efforts of UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, and WHO to improve the SRHR of all people in the region.
Since 2018, Sweden has committed over $105 million USD to the 2gether 4 SRHR programme, making it the largest regional investment from Sida through its regional SRHR programme for Sub-Saharan Africa. This latest contribution aligns with Sweden’s development strategy on SRHR, which runs through 2029.
The programme has contributed to regional progress in key SRHR outcomes by:
Increasing political commitment and strengthened enabling environments to advance SRHR through the development and institutionalisation of frameworks and scorecards for monitoring and accountability across the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Improving availability and quality of integrated services (SRHR, HIV and GBV), including in humanitarian contexts, and in areas previously under-prioritised, such as comprehensive abortion care, and innovative approaches to health, including self-care.
Increasing demand for, and tailoring of, SRHR services through social and behavior change, evidence generation, and community engagement and dialogues, including with adolescents and young people, men and boys, and traditional and religious leaders.
The Race to 2030
The commitment comes at a critical time when, despite significant progress, efforts to achieve the 2030 targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remain inconsistent across the region.
Several factors have slowed down such progress, including legal barriers that prevent individuals from accessing necessary care; limited investment in SRHR from domestic and donor sources; systemic barriers such as weak healthcare systems and restrictive social and cultural norms; and humanitarian crises, including socio-economic instability, which disrupt essential SRHR services.
In response, the additional funding will strengthen cross-country learning, the development and dissemination of evidence-based briefs for use and impact, and enhance the programme’s regional approach to advance SRHR through its support to regional economic communities, including SADC and EAC, as well as other key stakeholders.
“From unintended pregnancies to unacceptably high rates of HIV, one too many people across the region are facing the impacts of reduced investments in sexual and reproductive health and rights. 2gether 4 SRHR commends the Government of Sweden for doubling down on its commitments to SRHR and for its investment in the programme, bringing the region one step closer to achieving the global health targets of the SDGs and making a lasting impact on lives across East and Southern Africa,” highlights Lydia Zigomo, UNFPA Regional Director, on behalf of the Regional Directors of 2gether 4 SRHR.
“SRHR is a highly prioritised area for the Government of Sweden. We view sexual and reproductive health and rights as fundamental not only to health and wellbeing, but also to gender equality, democracy, peace and security, and sustainable development. For Sweden, SRHR is about the right of every person to control their own body and to live a healthy, safe, and productive life. We have seen the good results achieved by the 2gether 4 SRHR program hitherto and with the extension of one more year, the program will be able to further reinforce and sustain progress across the region, which is critical for sustainability,” says Elisabeth Hårleman, Head of Cooperation of Sweden’s regional SRHR team for Africa.
