Containing the COVID-19 pandemic has been the main focus of health policies worldwide over the last two years. This crisis not only overstretched the health system but it also shifted financial and human resources. Additionally the COVID-19 restriction measures seemed to have a great impact on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). All of this led to a reduction in capacity to provide sexual and reproductive health services.

The Academic Network for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Policy (ANSER) organised a webinar  bringing together the research results found by ANSER members on the impact of COVID-19 measures on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa and defining clear recommendations for policy makers to overcome possible SRHR threats when coping with future pandemics.

The webinar was presented by Dr. Simukai Shamu (Foundation for Professional Development, South Africa) and moderated by Dr. Joyce Omwoha (Technical University of Kenya) and included results of the following studies:
• Global study of Maternal health provision during the COVID-19 Pandemic (MATCO) led by the Institute of Tropical Medicine & ICRH (Ghent University), Belgium
• Effect of COVID on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) and Child, early and forced marriage (CEFM) led by the University of Nairobi (Kenya) & The Mbarara University of Science & Technology (Uganda)
• The role of community health workers during COVID to prevent GBV led by the University of Nairobi & AMREF (Kenya )
• International Sexual Health and Reproductive Health Survey in the time of COVID-19 (I-SHARE) with :
• The Mbarara University of Science & Technology (Uganda )
• Foundation for Professional Development (South Africa)
• The University of Nairobi & Technical University of Kenya & AMREF (Kenya)

The webinar was joined by over 40 participants. The presentation can be found here and the recording can be found here.