COVID-19: Solutions and Contributions

Throughout the COVID-19 response and recovery, EngenderHealth will work to ensure sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) priorities are not set back by the crisis. Below are just a few of the ways we are addressing these critical needs through integrated interventions that are responsive to the unique challenges posed by the pandemic. The steps we are taking encompass efforts to reach, engage, and support health systems, communities, families, couples, and individuals, including young people.

Support to public health systems:

• Supporting national authorities in addressing supply chain issues for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services and advocating for these services to continue and be deemed essential

• Encouraging governments to support SRHR self-care interventions, such as self-injectable contraceptives, emergency contraception, and self-managed abortion

• Developing and sharing guidelines and materials with policymakers and health and social workers that prioritize services and care for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV)

Support to communities:

• Working with a wide variety of partners and in diverse communities to disseminate key messages on COVID and SRHR

• Supporting community health workers’ ability to provide clients with SRH information and services and helping to ensure that relevant commodities remain in stock

• Addressing the elevated incidence of GBV by developing and sharing guidelines that ensure survivors can access needed care and services

Support to individuals:

• Developing and implementing communications plans, in coordination with national authorities and development partners, to address individuals’ SRHR needs

• Disseminating information in local languages on SRHR self-care options as well as guidance and resources for mental health care

• Donating menstrual hygiene supplies for distribution to women and girls in COVID quarantine centers