Giving Compass' Take:
- The Aspen Institute shares one foundation's long-term efforts to establish local, effective agencies advocating for reproductive health in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Why is it important to develop locally run organizations in these areas? What will it take for such establishments to reach a level of independence? What can you do to help them get there?
- Read about the effects of gaps in women's reproductive health knowledge in other places.
What is Giving Compass?
We connect donors to learning resources and ways to support community-led solutions. Learn more about us.
In 2016, the Hewlett Foundation launched a new strategy, using a principles-based approach to supporting local reproductive health (RH) advocacy in Sub-Saharan Africa. The strategy includes support primarily to international organizations who in turn offer financial support and technical assistance to local civil society organizations doing the advocacy in their countries. Nothing new there. Grounded in a set of five principles, however, this strategy intentionally seeks to shift power towards the local organizations and to strengthen their capacity to advocate. The goal: a vibrant civil society sector in sub-Saharan Africa that can capably and positively influence the RH policies and funding decisions of their own national governments and of international donors.
Over the coming two years, we will learn more about the impacts and implications of this principles-based approach. True to the developmental nature of this process, we expect that the Hewlett Foundation – and we, as learning partners – will continue to evolve in how we understand and evaluate the strategy. We look forward to sharing these lessons!
Read the full article about raising reproductive health awareness in Sub-Saharan Africa at The Aspen Institute.