SRHR Insights from Social and Community Listening in Eastern and Southern Africa (Q1 2026)

Between January and March 2026, UNICEF and partners conducted a Social and Community Listening (SCL) analysis to understand how sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are being discussed across Eastern and Southern Africa. Drawing on social media and digital conversations in five languages, the study highlights the narratives shaping public opinion, community concerns, and opportunities to strengthen communication, advocacy, and programming across the region.The findings show that conversations about SRHR are frequently dominated by stories of crime, gender-based violence, and police interactions, which often overshadow prevention-focused and rights-based health messaging. HIV/AIDS emerged as the most discussed health topic, with strong positive engagement around the rollout of lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention injection, particularly in Kenya and Zimbabwe. This innovation generated optimism and presents a clear opportunity to engage young people aged 18–24 more effectively.At the same time, the analysis identifies growing public anxiety around product safety, following reports of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in some sanitary products sold in South Africa. While this heightened distrust poses reputational risks, it also opens space for stronger advocacy on menstrual health, consumer protection, and regulation.HPV vaccination campaigns stood out as some of the most far-reaching institutional content, demonstrating that clear, authoritative messaging from health authorities can achieve scale — even in settings where myths and vaccine hesitancy persist. Across multiple countries, adolescent pregnancy, unsafe abortions, and barriers to youth-friendly services remain critical challenges, often compounded by stigma and fear of law enforcement.The report also highlights promising models of progress, particularly Tanzania’s nationally celebrated reductions in maternal and child mortality, as well as creative, community-led approaches in Uganda and Ethiopia. Overall, the insights point to the importance of trusted messengers, media partnerships, and locally grounded storytelling to shift narratives and advance SRHR across the region.Please note that any views reported on as part of the social media landscape analysis do not necessarily reflect the views of UNICEF or partners.