IGAD's Sexual Health Strategy Awaits Final Approval

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To enhance healthcare results in the East and Horn of Africa, the Inter-Governmental Authority for Development (IGAD) has launched a three-day senior-level review meeting at the Best Western Hotel in Entebbe, within the Wakiso region.

On Tuesday, July 15, 2025, an assembly took place involving officials from the seven countries part of IGAD—Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Somalia, Djibouti, and Eritrea—to review the regional Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Strategy and outline a shared approach for execution within the framework of the Africa Demographic Dividend and Sexual and Reproductive Health (A2DSRH) initiative.

Hosted with funding support from the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), this gathering represents an important step in the area's public health priorities as participating countries renew their dedication to Universal Health Coverage (UHC), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and achieving the benefits of a growing population.

"This goes beyond just an effort; it represents a regional pledge," stated Dr. Mohamed Abdi Ware, deputy executive secretary of IGAD, during his introductory speech which established the meeting's atmosphere by highlighting the importance of this occasion.

"This program goes beyond being just a project. It represents a regional pledge to promote environmentally friendly healthcare options and enable our communities, especially women and young people, to obtain high-quality sexual and reproductive health care," Ware stated.

He mentioned that the meeting would fulfill three essential roles: evaluating advancements by contrasting scheduled actions with actual results, examining and confirming the regional SRH Strategy along with the related Research Program Activity Study Report, and ultimately approving practical outputs for execution.

These papers are more than just summaries," he stated, adding, "they serve as the plan outlining how IGAD countries will work together to strengthen healthcare frameworks, access marginalized populations, and support broader goals related to achieving a demographic advantage.

Ware expressed heartfelt gratitude to AUDA-NEPAD for its visionary funding and to IGAD member nations for their technical input and collective responsibility towards the initiative.

The moment to take action has arrived On behalf of AUDA-NEPAD, Dr. Hagos Debeb praised IGAD's impressive advancements, stating that IGAD has completed 80% of its scheduled activities within the A2DSRH program, positioning it as the leading Regional Economic Community in this effort.

"This marks a crucial turning point, offering a chance to match our common goals with a practical plan that tackles the area's top SRH issues," Debeb stated.

He urged attendees to utilize the verification seminar not only for assessing advancements but also for rekindling dedication toward courageous measures.

"Ensuring sexual and reproductive health is central to achieving comprehensive progress. It enables us to lower rates of maternal and infant deaths, improve access to youth-oriented care, and advance equal opportunities for all genders. Now is the moment to take action," he stated.

Debeb committed AUDA-NEPAD's ongoing assistance in turning SRH into an achievable goal for all individuals within the IGAD region.

Djibouti showcases facts and advancements Djibouti presents its experiences and developments Djibouti reveals current situations and achievements Djibouti discusses real conditions and growth Djibouti highlights actual circumstances and improvements Djibouti communicates true scenarios and progress Djibouti exhibits present realities and forward movement Djibouti outlines genuine status and development Djibouti conveys authentic conditions and advancement Djibouti illustrates practical examples and evolution As the head of IGAD, Dr. Abdullahi Ibrahim from Djibouti presented a realistic but encouraging view of the SRH situation in his nation.

"Initially, there is an absence of thorough sex education. Societal and religious values frequently restrict honest discussions regarding sexual health, birth control, and reproductive planning," Ibrahim stated.

"Furthermore, there are shortcomings in laws and regulations that hinder girls from obtaining reproductive healthcare," he further noted.

Although facing these difficulties, he mentioned that Djibouti has made notable advancements, such as a decrease in female genital mutilation (FGM), a drop in maternal mortality to 162 per 100,000 live births, along with maintaining comparatively low levels of child marriage and adolescent pregnancies when measured against other IGAD countries.

"This marks an important occasion, during which IGAD has made a courageous and impactful move in promoting sexual and reproductive health throughout our area," he stated.

Uganda’s commitment and context Uganda's health ministry director of health services, Dr. Charles Olaro, represented his country, greeted the participants, and called for effective and long-lasting approaches to address sexual reproductive health issues affecting the area.

"This initiative comes at an appropriate time. Africa is experiencing a demographic shift, and we face challenges such as elevated teenage pregnancy levels, abortions, HIV/AIDS cases, mental health problems, and non-communicable diseases," Olaro stated.

"He further stated, 'These demands place additional strain on an overworked healthcare system.'" "These requirements add pressure to an already overwhelmed medical system," he remarked. "Such needs exacerbate the challenges faced by an already strained health care network," he noted. "They put more stress on a healthcare system that is already struggling," he said. "This increases the load on an already overstretched public health infrastructure," he mentioned.

He highlighted that funding from outside sources for healthcare is decreasing and underscored the importance of effective, economical solutions.

In Uganda, the rate of teenage pregnancies has remained steady at approximately 25% for more than twenty years. This presents a significant developmental issue that needs urgent attention if we aim to take advantage of the potential benefits from the demographic transition," he stated. "The overall returns from investing in sexual and reproductive health services should not be underestimated.

Olaro formally commenced the gathering and praised AUDA-NEPAD for backing the transformational initiative.

Dr. Edith Namutebi, head of peace and security for IGAD at Uganda's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized Uganda's dedication to regional cooperation within the healthcare field.

Namutebi urged attendees to consider the 2005 Regional Strategy for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, approved by African officials in 2006.

The representatives are anticipated to approve the five-year SRH strategy and implement a specific action framework aimed at enhancing collaboration, reinforcing stability within national healthcare systems, and advancing equitable health policies.

This approach will foster coordination across regions concerning teenage health, equality between genders, contraception services, maternity support, and funding for empowering young people—the essential components needed to harness the area's potential from its population growth.

"Let us utilize this platform to trade thoughts, present perspectives, and leverage our shared knowledge in defining the future of sexual and reproductive health," Ware concluded with a call to action.

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