APHRC Engages CSO, Healthcare Providers & Media On SRHR Policy Environment
By Marilyn King
The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) has engaged Civil Society Organizations, (CSO’s), healthcare providers, and the media, to reflect on the Sexual Reproductive Health and Right Policy environment (SRHR) identify gaps and strengthen coalitions around safe abortion, post abortion care and related priorities.
This event was held on Tuesday 26th – Friday 28th August 2025 at the Sierra Palms Hotel in Freetown.
Speaking at the events the researcher from APHRC, Christopher Maero said that evidence provides a strong foundation for policy advocacy efforts as it helps to demonstrate the need for change, supports arguments with credible data and research findings. He said that by presenting evidence backed arguments, advocates can effectively communicate the urgency and importance of policy reforms to policy makers, civil society organizations and the public.
He mentioned that policy encourages a virtuous cycle of knowledge building and deepens the understanding of on issues.
He stated that evidence informed policy refers to the practice of using high quality, reliable evidence to inform policy decisions.
The Advocacy External Relations Manager of Marie Stopes Sierra Leone Sandy Massaquoi said the safe motherhood bill is something that is in their hearts and it should be in the hearts of every Sierra Leonean.
He emphasized that the context of the bill and what people are saying is not true, noting that the people who are present at the event should make the people of Sierra Leone to understand that the safe motherhood bill is not about abortion.
He noted that the bill urges government to invest into family planning and SRHR services.
He concluded by urging everyone to continue to work with APHRC, and assured APHRC of their commitment to make sure that girls and women at any given time have access to family planning services.
Program Manager of Reproductive Health and Family Planning Ministry of Health, Dr. Satu Issa estimated that about 70-80% of what they are doing concerns women, adolescent girls and young people.
She continued that the opportunity to come together as researchers, policy makers, health care providers and advocate is very much vital.
She maintained that every individual regardless of age, gender, social and economic background should have access to comprehensive quality and the required Reproductive Health Services which includes access to Family Planning, Maternal Health Care.
She concluded that they continue to faces challenges such as funding on SRHR programs, disparities in access culture and systematic barriers.
Multi stakeholders round table and panel discussions to advance Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights climaxed the occasion.
