Beyond ICPD@15 - Rethinking strategies and partnerships to move the SRHR agenda forward: An International Expert Meeting organized by the Nordic Countries, Oslo, Norway, 12-13 November 2009

THE ROLE OF AU COMMISSION AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION IN PROMOTING UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO SRHR THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MAPUTO PLAN OF ACTION AND THE ICPD@15 OUTCOMES BY DR KEBEDE KASSA, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS, AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION

INTRODUCTION: THE MAPUTO PLAN OF ACTION “Sexual and reproductive health problems account for one third of the total health burden among women and are a leading driver of poverty. The HIV/AIDS pandemic is increasingly young and female”

1. INTRODUCTION: THE MAPUTO PLAN OF ACTION (Cont) WHAT CAN BE DONE WHERE THERE IS POLITICAL WILL POLITICAL WILL, A SCARECE COMMODITY EXTREMELY USEFUL WHEN AVAILABLE AFRICAN LEADERS, EXEMPLARY ON SRHR AFRICA: FIRST CONTINENT TO ARRIVE AT MAJORITY CONSENSUS ON A POLICY AND PLAN OF ACTION FOR SRHR

I. INTRODUCTION: THE MAPUTO PLAN OF ACTION A TOOL FOR THE OPERATIONALIZATION OF THE CONTINENTAL POLICY FRAMEORK ON SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RIGHTS (SRHR, 2005); DERIVED FROM EXISTING CONTINENTAL/INTL LEGAL FRAMEORKS: THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION ON HUMAN RIGHTS THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS THE AFRICAN PROTOCOL ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES/ RIGHTS ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN;

THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN (CEDAW) THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON THE RIGHTS AND WELFARE OF THE CHILD; THE ICPAD/POAS THE MDGS THE CONSTITUTIVE ACT OF THE AFRICAN UNION THE VISION, MISSION, AND STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK OF THE AU THE SOLEMN DECLARATION OF THE AU ON WOMEN AND GENDER EQUALITY;

II. The SRHR Policy formulation process, grounded on: Strong partnership Bottom up – participatory approach Factual/empirical Information Determined, and open-minded leadership

III. OBJECTIVE OF THE POLICY FRAMEWORK To Harmonise National Strategies for Prioritizing SRHR in Health Care Services; To Accelerate the Achievement of Health-Related MDGS; To Contribute to equitable, just and sustainable development in Africa

Increasing resources for SRHR Programmes IV. KEY COMPONENTS OF THE POLICY: Increasing resources for SRHR Programmes Translating ICPD commitments into policies and programmes of action Integration of SRHR, HIV/AIDS, etc

IV. KEY COMPONENTS (CONT): Reducing maternal mortality Reducing under-five mortality below two-thirds by 2015 Addressing the SRHR needs of young people Combating HIV/AIDS

Reducing levels of unsafe abortion Promoting Gender Equality IV. KEY COMPONENTS (CONT): Reducing levels of unsafe abortion Promoting Gender Equality Fight against Gender-based violence Promoting partnership at all levels

V. OVERARCHING GOAL OF THE MAPUTO PLAN OF ACTION: The ultimate goal of the Maputo Plan of Action is for African Governments, civil society, the private sector and all development partners to join forces and redouble efforts, so that together the effective implementation of the continental policy including universal access to sexual and reproductive health by 2015 in all countries in Africa can be achieved.

VI. Key Strategies: Integrating STI/HIV/AIDS, and SRHR programmes and services, to maximize the effectiveness of resource utilization and to attain complimentarity of the two strategies; Repositioning family planning as an essential part of the attainment of health MDGs; Addressing the sexual and reproductive health needs of adolescents and youth as a key SRH component; Addressing unsafe abortion;

child survival, maternal, newborn and child health. VI. Key Strategies (Cont): child survival, maternal, newborn and child health. African and south-north/south-south co-operation for the attainment of ICPD and MDG goals in Africa

VI. Key Strategies: crosscutting issues to: Increase domestic resources for sexual and reproductive health and rights; Include males as an essential partner of SRHR programmes; Adopt a multi-sectoral approach to SRHR; Foster community involvement and participation;

VI. Key Strategies: crosscutting issues: Strengthen SRH commodity security with emphasis on family planning and emergency obstetric care and referral; Put in place operational research for evidence- based action and effective monitoring tools to track progress made on the implementation of this Plan of Action; Integration of nutrition in STI/HIV/AIDS, and SRHR especially for pregnant women, and children by incorporating nutrition in the school curriculum;

VI. Key Strategies: crosscutting issues to: Involvement of families and communities; Involvement of the Ministries of Health in conflict resolution; Rural-urban service delivery equity

VII. ROLE OF STAKEHOLDERS A. The African Union: advocacy harmonisation of policies and strategies. resources mobilisation, monitoring and evaluation, and dissemination of best practices

B. Regional Economic Communities provide technical support to Member countries including training in the area of reproductive health, advocate for increased resources for sexual and reproductive health, harmonise the implementation of national Action Plans, monitor progress, identify and share best practices.

C. Member States adapt/adopt and implement the Action Plan for the operationalisation of the Continental SRHR Policy Framework; put in place advocacy, resource mobilisation and budgetary provision as a demonstration of ownership and monitoring and evaluation invite civil society and the private sector to participate in national programs.

D. Partners In line with the Paris principles multi-lateral and bi-lateral organizations; international and national civil society organizations and other development partners will align their financial and technical assistance and cooperation plans with national and regional needs and priorities for implementation of the Maputo Plan of Action

VIII. STATUS OF MPOA IMPLEMENTATION Considerable efforts, by AUC, RECs, Member States and Partners to domesticate and implement the PoA CARMMA launched in May 2009 to speed up the process of implementation of MPOA Detailed assessment of Progress currently underway

IX. KEY MILESTONES IN 2010 AND BEYOND JANUARY 2010: PROGRESS ASSESSMENT REPORT APRIL 2010: REVIEW WORKSHOP ON MPOA MAY 2010: SPECIAL SESSION OF THE CAMH JUNE/JULY 2010: AU SUMMIT ON MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH JULY 2010 – JUNE 2014: WORK ON SRHR CONTINUES

X. CRITICAL CHALLENGES INCREASED INITIATIVES/COMMITMENTS, LIMITED IMPLEMENTATION ON THE GROUND SLOW PROGRESS IN REDUCING MATERNAL AND CHILD MORTALITY (MDGs 4 and 5) SHORTAGE OF TIMELY AND QUALITY DATA INADEQUATE RESOURCES FOR SRHR

XI. OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTNERSHIP CAPACITY BUILDING AND ALLOCATION OF NEEDED RESOURCES/FACILITIES FOR CONTINUED IMPLEMENTATION OF MPOA ON SRHR CARMMA POPULATION/CLIMATE CHANGE ISSUES THE AUC IS COMMITTED TO WORK WITH ALL RELEVANT PARTNERS AND STAKEHOLDERS

I THANK YOU