The PPD ARO has supported the development of three Regional Networks, based on Regional Economic Communities of Africa. These include the Eastern Africa Reproductive Health Network (EARHN), covering the East African Community (EAC); the West African Reproductive Health Network (WARHN), in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS); and a Southern Africa Reproductive Health Network (SARHN) covering the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC). 

Regional networks promote integrated reproductive health programmes both in PPD member and non-member countries in Africa and can be used to share knowledge on the best policies and programmes. The PPD ARO believes that regional networks, because of their nature as member-driven institutions, are in the best position to act as a platform for knowledge sharing and cross-country collaboration. Networks can be mobilised not only to convene stakeholders and amplify messages—they can also be used to provide assistance and facilitate activities, in order to help members carry out their activities more effectively. The PPD ARO plans to capitalize on this by using the regional networks to provide technical assistance and capacity building to members. These Regional Networks create strategic partnerships and promote networking among governments, civil society organizations and agencies.

The PPD ARO works to ensure that RH networks have explicit strategic plans and work plans geared towards meeting the goals of regional and continental SRHR frameworks. The PPD ARO provides technical assistance to build capacity for the regional networks through contracting international and regional consultants as well as partnering with relevant institutions in the regions such as the Africa Population & Health Research Center (APHRC) and The Centre for African Family Studies (CAFS).

In February 2008, the Chief Director, Population Department of the Ministry of Social Development of the Republic of South Africa and his staff hosted PPD ARO in a preparatory meeting for the founding of the Southern Africa Reproductive Health Network (SARHN), based on SADC member countries (South Africa is the current SADC chair). A representative from South Africa attended the EARHN meeting in March 2008 to learn from the experiences in Eastern Africa. A planning meeting has been scheduled for mid-2009 to bring all stakeholders on board for the strategic planning meeting to be held soon thereafter.

The West African Reproductive Health Network (WARHN) met 24-27 August 2009 in Akosombo, Ghana, to develop a strategic plan for 2009-2013.

Participants included representatives six countries in West Africa (Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo). Partners included Partners in Population and Development Africa Regional Office (PPD ARO), UNFPA, West African Health Organization (WAHO); Alliance for Reproductive Health Rights (ARHR); RIPS- Regional Institute of Population Studies (RIPS); Planned Parenthood Association Ghana (PPAG); Population Impact Project (PIP); Ghana Health Service (GHS); Ghana Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs (MOWAC); Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC); University of Ghana Medical School (UGMS); and Ghana Registered Midwives Association (GRMA).

Representatives agreed that the network was of critical importance towards improving collaboration in the West Africa sub-region in the area of sexual and reproductive health and rights, and population and development.

By the conclusion of the meeting, Ghana was elected to host the Secretariat of WARHN and charged with responsibility for its coordination.

In addition to issuing a Communiqué, WARHN agreed to a vision, mission, mandate, and core values:

WARHN’s vision is “A West Africa that is free from problems related to sexual and reproductive health and rights.” Its mission is “To promote access to optimal sexual and reproductive health and rights in West Africa through advocacy, strategic partnerships, effective networking, sharing of information on best practices and expertise.”

WARHN’s mandate is “Promoting sexual reproductive health and rights as a fundamental human right in West Africa.”

The core values for WARHN are: Transparency, Accountability, Commitment, Quality, Diversity, and Gender Equality/Equity.

More information, including the strategic plan for WARHN, will be posted here as soon as available. After the strategic plan is finalized, network members of WARHN will work together to develop country-specific action plans to increase in-country activities as well as improve cross-country collaboration in the region in the context of South-South cooperation.

Read and download the WARHN Communiqué

The Eastern Africa Reproductive Health Network (EARHN) is a South-South network comprised of government ministries addressing population issues. Its geographical coverage includes Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. EARHN was founded in 1996 by members in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. In December 2007, the Eastern Africa Reproductive Health Network met to re-invigorate its work and develop a Strategic Plan for 2008-2012.

Eastern African countries share similar social, political, demographic and geographic environments. EARHN believes that south-south cooperation has untapped potential for approaching new opportunities and sharing good practices in the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Eastern African countries have extensive experiences in SRHR; these good practices and experiences offer a set of known lessons on which to build a new, collaborative effort to initiate change in-country and regionally, in order to improve the health and rights of all people, and in particular, the SRHR status of women and youth. EARHN will build upon the experiences of members within and outside of the network to build a collaborative effort to create positive change in both policy and programme implementation within Eastern Africa.

EARHN’s vision is “an Eastern African region free from sexual and reproductive health burdens.” The mission of EARHN is “to Promote sound sexual and reproductive health policies and programmes across borders through strategic partnerships, effective coordination and sharing of critical information, experiences and expertise.” EARHN works through strategic partnerships, effective coordination and sharing of critical information, experiences and expertise. In order to attain its vision, carry out its mission and fulfil its mandate, EARHN has agreed on three areas of strategic focus: Advocacy and Coalition Building; Programme Development and Expansion; and Institutional Strengthening.

Advocacy and Coalition Building. EARHN will act as the link between policymakers and technical officers in different countries to advocate for stronger SRHR policies and laws. EARHN will convene and support the more effective involvement of civil society, NGOs and the private sector in policymaking and the provision of RH services and also collaborate with other existing networks in sub-Saharan Africa to avoid duplication of efforts and wastage of scarce resources.

Specific efforts will be made by EARHN to work with the East African Community (EAC) and negotiate the potentially overlapping mandates between the EAC and EARHN. The EAC has agreed to work with EARHN to synergise efforts and increase the impact of both networks in implementing their programmes.

EARHN will build upon its members and partners’ experience in order to enhance political commitment and forge strong coalitions across programmes, sectors, professions, and countries.

Programme Development and Expansion. EARHN has identified the lack of programmes and collaboration between and across Eastern African countries as a significant limitation to the network. South-south cooperation has untapped potential for approaching new opportunities and sharing good practices in SRHR.

Success stories and good practices within East Africa and other developing areas are not as widely disseminated as they should be. EARHN believes that a sustained exchange of ideas, experiences and technologies from within the region will enhance policies and programmes through south-south cooperation with the least expense and maximum efficacy. EARHN sees the need not to focus only on the sharing of precise knowledge of effective policies and programmes, but also on the health systems that must deliver them.

Institutional Strengthening. In order for EARHN to assist members in effectively operationalizing and implementing programmes, she will develop her own internal capacity, through a more formalized structure of governance and staffing.

EARHN will mobilize resources, develop and implement annual work plans and budgets for the network and to carry out planned activities. Regular coordination and reviews will ensure that EARHN stays the course of institutional strengthening.

Download EARHN Strategic Plan

 

 

The Fourth Eastern Africa Reproductive Health Network (EARHN) Coordination Meeting: "Repositioning Family Planning/Reproductive Health in the Eastern Africa Region"
Date: April 28-30, 2011
Venue: Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala, Uganda

Partners in Population and Development Africa Regional Office (PPD ARO) together with the Population Secretariat Uganda (POPSEC) and Marie Stopes International jointly organized the Fourth Annual Eastern Africa Reproductive Health Network (EARHN) meeting. The meeting was held from April 28 – 30, 2011, at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala, Uganda. The theme of the meeting was “Repositioning Family Planning/Reproductive Health in the Eastern Africa Region”. This meeting started after a two-day strategic planning review meeting from April 26-27 in which technical people from the region met and agreed on a strategic framework for the years 2012-2016.

The main objectives of the meeting were to create a common understanding of the Family Planning and Reproductive Health (FP/RH) situation and challenges in the Eastern Africa Region; to network and galvanize efforts for increased advocacy, leadership and stewardship on issues of FP/RH among parliamentarians and other champions; and to have consensus on policy and strategic actions to address FP/RH in the region.

Participants to the meeting were parliamentarians, FP/RH potential champions and other high level personalities who had been very active in advocacy and promotion of family planning and reproductive health. They were drawn from the countries of Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and Ethiopia. The Government of South Sudan, Malawi and Ghana attended as observers.

Participants discussed and reflected on Reproductive Health and Family Planning challenges in the Eastern Africa Region and came up with concrete solutions to address the challenges. In addition, policy makers and technical people pledged to take concrete steps to ensure that every birth is wanted, every pregnancy is healthy and every delivery is safe and that we have provided the means to enable this to happen. No woman should die while giving life.

A number of key documents from the meeting are available online by clicking on the links below:

Agenda: http://ppdafrica.org/docs/EARHN2011/Agenda.pdf

Day 1 Presentations

Dr. Kyaddondo's Presentation on EARHN Highlights: http://ppdafrica.org/docs/EARHN2011/EARHN.pdf

Dr. Kyaddondo's Report on Uganda's Progress: http://ppdafrica.org/docs/EARHN2011/Kyaddondo.pdf

Mr. Oisebe's Report on Kenya's Progress: http://ppdafrica.org/docs/EARHN2011/Oisebe.pdf

Mr. Masatu's Report on Tanzania's Progress: http://ppdafrica.org/docs/EARHN2011/Masatu.pdf

Mr. Mbontintwali's Report on Rwanda's Progress: http://ppdafrica.org/docs/EARHN2011/Mbonyintwali.pdf

Day 2 Presentations

Mr. Musoke's Presentation on the review of the EARHN Strategic Plan: http://ppdafrica.org/docs/EARHN2011/Musoke.pdf

 

Day 3 Presentations

Dr. Oketcho's Presentation on Capacity Plus: http://ppdafrica.org/docs/EARHN2011/Oketcho.pdf

Mr. Chekweko's Presentation on Commodity Security: http://ppdafrica.org/docs/EARHN2011/Chekweko.pdf

Ms. Mercedes' Presentation on Advocacy for RH Supplies: http://ppdafrica.org/docs/EARHN2011/Mercedes.pdf

Mr. Mberu's Presentation on Contribution of Family Planning: http://ppdafrica.org/docs/EARHN2011/Mberu.pdf

 

Day 3 Presentations

Mr. Sempabwa's Presentation on Repositioning Family Planning in Rwanda: http://ppdafrica.org/docs/EARHN2011/Sempabwa.pdf

Mr. Ethuro's Presentation on Repositioning Family Planning in Kenya: http://ppdafrica.org/docs/EARHN2011/Ekwee.pdf

Dr. Malek's Presentation on Repositioning Family Planning in Sudan: http://ppdafrica.org/docs/EARHN2011/Malek.pdf

Dr. Musinguzi's Presentation on Family Planning Champions: http://ppdafrica.org/docs/EARHN2011/Mercedes.pdf

The Third Eastern Africa Reproductive Health Network (EARHN) Coordination Meeting: "Repositioning Family Planning and Reproductive Health in Eastern Africa"
Date: 2-3 2010
Venue: Imperial Royale Hotel, Kampala, Uganda

The meeting brought together technical people from government ministries and family planning champions (including Parliamentarians, religious leaders, media, and public figures) from six countries in Eastern Africa (Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda).

By the end of the meeting, the family-planning champions in attendance pledged to take action in their countries to advance the reproductive health agenda domestically and regionally.

A number of key documents from the meeting are available online by clicking on the links below:

Agenda- http://ppdafrica.org/docs/EARHN2010/agenda.pdf

Remarks by Regional Director Partners in Population and Development Africa Regional Office (PPD-ARO) by Mr. Abdelylah Lakssir, International Programme Office , PPD ARO- http://ppdafrica.org/docs/EARHN2010/lakssir-PPDAROremarks.pdf

Official Opening by Hon. Eriya Kategaya, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Community Affairs- http://ppdafrica.org/docs/EARHN2010/kategaya-opening.pdf

EARHN Strategic Plan by Dr. Betty Kyaddondo, Head, Family Health Department Population Secretariat, Uganda- http://ppdafrica.org/docs/EARHN2010/EARHNstrategicplan.pdf

Family Planning in the context of the East African Cooperation  Strategic Plan by Hon. Dr. Odette Nyiramilimo, Member of Parliament, East African Legislative Assembly (EALA)- http://ppdafrica.org/docs/EARHN2010/odette-EALA-EAC.pdf

Advance Family Planning Project by Mr. Martin Ninsiima, Programme Officer, Centre for Communication Programs, Uganda- http://ppdafrica.org/docs/EARHN2010/ninsiima-AFP.pdf

Concept of FP Champions by Mr. Patrick Mugirwa, Programme Officer, PPD ARO- http://ppdafrica.org/docs/EARHN2010/mugirwa-FPchampions.pdf

Champions in Practice: The Family Health International (FHI) Experience by Ms. Patricia Wamala, Family Health International, Uganda- http://ppdafrica.org/docs/EARHN2010/wamala-FHIchampions.pdf

FP Champions and Country level experience sharing
1.    Burundi- http://ppdafrica.org/docs/EARHN2010/Burundichampion.pdf
2.    Ethiopia- http://ppdafrica.org/docs/EARHN2010/Ethiopiachampion.pdf
3.    Kenya- Please read the meeting report for a summary of the presentation
4.    Rwanda- http://ppdafrica.org/docs/EARHN2010/Rwandachampion.pdf
5.    Tanzania- http://ppdafrica.org/docs/EARHN2010/Tanzaniachampion.pdf
6.    Uganda- Please read the meeting report for a summary of the presentation

EARHN Country reports
1.    Burundi- http://ppdafrica.org/docs/EARHN2010/BurundiEARHN.pdf
2.    Ethiopia- http://ppdafrica.org/docs/EARHN2010/EthiopiaEARHN.pdf and http://ppdafrica.org/docs/EARHN2010/EthiopiaEARHN-2.pdf
3.    Kenya- http://ppdafrica.org/docs/EARHN2010/KenyaEARHN.pdf
4.    Rwanda- http://ppdafrica.org/docs/EARHN2010/RwandaEARHN.pdf
5.    Tanzania- http://ppdafrica.org/docs/EARHN2010/TanzaniaEARHN.pdf
6.    Uganda- http://ppdafrica.org/docs/EARHN2010/UgandaEARHN.pdf

Official closing by Hon. Jachan Omach- Minister of State for Finance, Planning, and Economic Development- General Duties- http://ppdafrica.org/docs/EARHN2010/omach-closing.pdf

Report on EARHN by Dr. Betty Kyaddondo, Head, Family Health Department Population Secretariat, Uganda and the Secretariat for EARHN, from 2007-2010: http://ppdafrica.org/docs/EARHN2010/EARHNreport-2007-2010.pdf

 

Download EARHN Newsletter, September 2009

Read the full articles from the EARHN Newsletter on the PPD ARO blog (scroll down to articles posted in September 2008)

Download EARHN's 2009 policy brief: "Addressing Eastern Africa’s Dismal Health: A Call For Action"

Download EARHN's 2009 bookmark on "A Review of Per-capita Government Expenditure on Health and Recommendations for Policy Makers"