Pascale Allotey, Director, Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research including UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP)
December is a natural time to reflect on our work and take stock of where we are: in ourselves, in our community and in our work to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights for all.
HRP was created in 1972 following a World Health Assembly Resolution. The Special Programme brings together UN agencies and policy-makers, scientists and health care providers to focus on generating evidence to better understand
and deliver on SRHR. At the time of its founding, I wonder if we could have imagined the advances the world would make in the field of sexual and reproductive health in these fifty years. However, I do know that my younger self would be disappointed
to see some assumed rights reversed or neglected in my own lifetime. It is clear that our dedicated work is needed now more than ever.
I am therefore proud to look back on the year of achievements and advancements made by those dedicated to the mandate of HRP. Our work is at the forefront of diagnostics, product development, clinical and community interventions, implementation research, human rights, norms, values and systems analysis and change.
Though often hidden, SRHR profoundly impacts millions of lives every year. Globally, the lack of access to SRHR services, including family planning, contraception and safe abortion, mostly in low- and middle-income countries, epitomizes many of the characteristics that are the root causes of stigma, discrimination, and marginalization. These issues are defined by inequitable distribution of power, inequity and injustice and the intersection with sexual and reproductive dysfunction, morbidity and mortality. Strategies to address these challenges will become increasingly evident in our work.
Within this framework and partnership, HRP has come together this year to lead the discussion across the expanse of SRHR. The leadership and collaboration that defines HRP are on display in the many pivotal research projects and publications this past year, among them: the Abortion care guideline, the Recommendations on maternal care for a positive postnatal experience, updated guidelines on both self-care and family planning and products that show how to integrate sexual and reproductive health into universal health coverage, including the handbook and the Learning by Sharing Portal .
While it’s the guidelines, reports and journal publications that tend to get the spotlight behind these products are countless hours and unquantifiable efforts to
gather a diverse group of people to influence and uproot long-existing preconceptions about sexual reproductive health, how research is done and who drives the agenda.
Over the course of 2023, please join us in celebrating these five decades of achievements. While we look forward to highlighting
the positive impact HRP has had, we’ll also be asking you – our partners and friends – to help us examine what else needs our attention, to achieve our vision of a world where every person has access to sexual and reproductive health
and rights.
Sending you wishes for a happy and healthy new year ahead.