The joint programme “Improved Access to and Quality of Sexual and Reproductive Health Care Services in Sudan” tackles the complex barriers existing in access to sexual and reproductive health and rights in Sudan. Despite progress made in addressing systematic and harmful societal and cultural norms, persistent challenges remain in gender equality, particularly following the eruption of the national-level conflict in 2023. Women and girls continue to face high rates of organized and intimate partner violence, low education and financial inclusion rates as well as poor legal frameworks for societal and economic participation, all of which hinder their health, rights, and participation in society.
Funded by the Government of Canada, this programme aims to promote universal health coverage and improve access to essential and life-saving sexual and reproductive health interventions. The initiative will run from 2024 to 2029, reaching five million women and girls of reproductive age across five states: Gezira, Red Sea, Kassala, White Nile and Northern. UNFPA and WHO combine their expertise to collaborate with national academic institutions, research centers, non-governmental organization's and women-led organizations as well as federal and state Ministries of Health to tackle the gaps in access to sexual and reproductive health services. Some key activities include:
- Enhancing sexual and reproductive health and rights services by expanding access to comprehensive, gender-responsive, and age-sensitive healthcare;
- Strengthening health systems by training healthcare providers, integrating sexual and reproductive health and rights into national policies, and equipping emergency and primary health facilities;
- Empowering communities by shifting harmful gender norms, engaging men and boys as advocates, and raising awareness through behavioral change communication;
- Advancing research and policymaking by supporting data collection, evidence-based decision-making, and disability-inclusive sexual and reproductive health and rights strategies.
By investing in health systems, education, and community engagement, this initiative lays the foundation for a stronger, more equitable future for all in Sudan.
