Namibia to launch Pan African SRHR campaign
A Pan African campaign focused on sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR), called \"The Brands on a Mission\", is scheduled to be launched in Namibia.Leading this initiative are Professor Myriam Sidibe and Dr. Michel Sibide, who arrived last week to engage with key stakeholders for a week-long session aimed at establishing a sustainable platform for ongoing dialogue, networking and raising awareness.
The campaign\'s primary objective is to empower couples, families, women, and girls to demand improved SRHR products and services. Thanks to the shared synergy between African Voices and Brands on a Mission, the campaign\'s launch in Namibia was a success, managing to engage with all the essential stakeholders committed to the same cause.
The African Voices project aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union\'s (AU) Agenda 2063 by mobilising a diverse coalition of \"African Voices\" to promote enhanced sexual and reproductive rights and services throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.
The project\'s strategy revolves around advocacy efforts aimed at increasing education and access to SRHR throughout the continent, particularly in the three target countries of Namibia, Niger and Cabo Verde. By amplifying the voices of Africans, the project seeks to establish a framework for achieving the desired outcomes of increased SRHR awareness and a reduction in the stigma associated with abortion.
According to Prof Sidibe: “During our week in Namibia, we met with stakeholders engaged in the Namibian SRHR movement. This included the First Lady of Namibia, Monica Geingos, members of current and former government, civil society and the private sector.
“Our conversations touched on initiating, continuing and elevating conversations around the need for improved SRHR through public interviews and press events, combined with private discussions. Secondly, identifying how the African Voices project could support and uplift existing local SRHR movements and identifying organisations and influencers who will be part of a wider cross-continent coalition, mobilised around improving SRHR.”
Other highlights of their visit included engagements with Bience Gawanas, justice Yvonne Dausab, Dr Bernard Haufiku, the Voices for Choices and Rights Coalition (VCRC), the Namibia Planned Parenthood Association (Nappa) clinic, The Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso), the United Nations Population Fund (UNPF), UNAids, UNCT Namibia and local influencers.