Webinar: Impact of Public Health Emergencies (PHEs) on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Services in Africa [18 September 2025]

The Socio-Economic Rights Project at the Dullah Omar Institute, University of the Western Cape, in collaboration with the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, invites you to a webinar to reflect on how public health emergencies expose the fragility of Africa’s health systems and to examine their impact on SRHR—highlighting why protecting women, adolescents, and marginalized groups from being left behind when essential services collapse is vital.

https://dullahomarinstitute.org.za/events/webinar-impact-of-public-health-emergencies-phes-on-sexual-and-reproductive-health-and-rights-srhr-services-in-africa-18-september-2025
Webinar: Impact of Public Health Emergencies (PHEs) on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Services in Africa [18 September 2025]
2025-09-18T12:00:00+02:00
2025-09-18T13:30:00+02:00
The Socio-Economic Rights Project at the Dullah Omar Institute, University of the Western Cape, in collaboration with the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, invites you to a webinar to reflect on how public health emergencies expose the fragility of Africa’s health systems and to examine their impact on SRHR—highlighting why protecting women, adolescents, and marginalized groups from being left behind when essential services collapse is vital.

What news: SER
When 18 Sep, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 01:30 PM (Africa/Johannesburg / UTC200)
Where Zoom
Contact Name Crystal Nitsckie
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Why participate?

Public health emergencies in Africa—ranging from Ebola, flood, hurricane, to the recent COVID-19 pandemic—have profoundly disrupted the delivery and accessibility of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services. These crises often overwhelm fragile health systems, redirecting scarce resources and personnel away from essential SRHR care such as maternal health, contraception, safe abortion, and HIV services. The result is heightened risks of maternal mortality, unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and gender-based violence.

Vulnerable women, adolescents and young people, and marginalised groups disproportionately bear the burden, as emergency measures exacerbate existing structural inequalities and barriers to care. Lockdowns, supply chain interruptions, and the classification of SRHR services as “non-essential” in some contexts further limited access. At the same time, emergencies also highlighted opportunities for innovation, including community-based delivery models and digital health platforms, which can strengthen resilience if integrated into long-term health system planning.

Understanding the impact of public health emergencies on SRHR services in Africa is therefore critical for building inclusive, rights-based, and resilient health systems that safeguard SRHR during crises and ensure continuity of care for vulnerable populations.

Discussion Highlights:

What are State obligations to realise SRHR during public health emergencies??
How is Access to abortion and contraceptive services affected in times of public health crises?
What are the Impacts of public health emergencies on healthcare workers and implications for SRHR services?
What are the implications of natural disasters and their implications for the enjoyment of SRHR?

Facilitator: Favour Akanbi Dullah Omar Institute, University of the Western Cape

Welcome and Introduction: Prof Ebenezer Durojaye, Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria

Panelists:

Godfrey Kangaude – Executive Director, Nyale Institute, Malawi
Roopanand Amar Mahadew – University of Mauritius
Adetoun Adebanjo – Independent Legal Researcher, Australia
Patience Ndlovu – Independent Legal Researcher, South Africa

Questions & Answers

Closing Remarks: Gladys Mirugi-Mukundi, Dullah Omar Institute, University of the Western Cape

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Following registration, participants will receive a confirmation email with details on how to join the webinar.

We gratefully acknowledge AmplifyChange for making this webinar possible.