FCDO’s approach to sexual and reproductive health
International Development Committee
Closed
Inquiry
The International Development Committee report into the FCDO's approach to sexual and reproductive health has now been published and found that since 2020 the UK has slashed aid spending on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), with a devastating impact on women and girls. Existing project budgets were cut …
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19
Recommendations
5
Conclusions
1
Report
3
Oral sessions
3
Events
Activity timeline 8 events
17 May
2024
2024
25 Jan
2024
2024
Report published
12 Sep
2023
2023
Oral evidence
12 Sep
2023
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
4 Jul
2023
2023
Oral evidence
4 Jul
2023
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
23 May
2023
2023
Oral evidence
23 May
2023
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 3 sessions
12 Sep 2023
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FCDO’s approach to sexual and reproductive health
Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
4 Jul 2023
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FCDO’s approach to sexual and reproductive health
Alessandra Aresu · Humanity & Inclusion
Alice Welbourn · Salamander Trust
Dr Camilla Ducker · WHO HQ, Representative for the FGS Integration Group (FIG)
Dr Tsitsi Chataika · CBM UK
Kirsty Smith · CBM UK
Ms Fionnuala Murphy · Frontline AIDS
Saskia Perriard-Abdoh · Kaleidoscope Trust
23 May 2023
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FCDO’s approach to sexual and reproductive health
Asenath Mwithigah · Orchid Project
Caroline Guinard · MSI Reproductive Choices
Dr Milly Kaggwa · Population Services International
Dr Sebastian Taylor · Royal Colleges for SRHR
Mr Matt Jackson · United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Tinebeb Berhane · ActionAid Ethiopia
Reports 1 report · click to expand
| Title | HC No. | Published | Items | Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Report - The FCDO’s approach to sexual and reproductive he… | HC 108 | 25 Jan 2024 | 24 | Responded |
Recommendations & Conclusions
12 results
2
Recommendation
Accepted
First Report - The FCDO’s approach…
Back up FCDO's renewed commitment to SRHR with consistent and long-term funding
The Committee welcomes the FCDO’s recent policy statements which have renewed the FCDO’s commitment to SRHR. To turn words into action, this should be backed up by consistent and long-term funding.
Government Response
The FCDO agrees that consistent and long-term funding is necessary, highlighting ongoing long-term partnerships, renewed funding of £80m to the Global Financing Facility, and the next iteration of the Reproductive Health Supplies programme until 2030.
6
Recommendation
Accepted
First Report - The FCDO’s approach…
Incorporate telemedicine and self-management of SRHR into aid programming, updating Committee by Autumn 2024
The use of telemedicine and self-management in SRHR programmes could increase the accessibility, reach and effectiveness of such programmes. The FCDO should consider how to incorporate the use of telemedicine and self-management of SRHR in its aid programming, such as …
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Government Response
The FCDO agrees that telemedicine and self-management can improve SRHR programming, detailing how it already supports these approaches through initiatives like the UNFPA Supplies Partnership for self-managed medical abortions and the WISH programme for self-injectable contraception and telemedicine services.
11
Recommendation
Accepted
First Report - The FCDO’s approach…
Support menstrual health by providing WASH services, menstrual products, and age-appropriate education on menstruation.
The FCDO should support menstrual health by supporting the provision of WASH services and infrastructure and access to menstrual products. In particular, the FCDO should ensure that its work in the education and WASH sectors complement its SRHR work in …
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Government Response
The FCDO agrees and states it is already supporting menstrual health through constructing menstrual-friendly toilets, providing reusable sanitary products, offering comprehensive sexuality education, and investing in reproductive health supplies via programmes like the Girls' Education Challenge.
12
Recommendation
Accepted
First Report - The FCDO’s approach…
Incorporate gynaecological disease care and HPV vaccine provision into FCDO SRHR programming.
The FCDO has not sufficiently addressed the threat of gynaecological disease in its SRHR programming, despite the risk it poses to the SRH of women and girls. The prevalence of cervical cancer among women and girls in lower-income countries is …
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Government Response
The FCDO agrees, detailing its existing support for HPV vaccine rollout through Gavi and market shaping for cervical cancer screening via Unitaid. It also confirms the forthcoming WISH Dividend program will include treatment of benign gynaecological disease where feasible, and commits to continuously reviewing information to influence its work.
14
Recommendation
Accepted
First Report - The FCDO’s approach…
Renew commitment to preventing female genital mutilation through targeted multilateral and bilateral programmes.
The UK Government has long been an opponent of female genital mutilation (FGM) and has worked against FGM both bilaterally and multilaterally. The UK Government should renew its commitment to preventing female genital mutilation through funding multilateral and bilateral programmes, …
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Government Response
The FCDO agrees and reaffirms its commitment to ending FGM, detailing ongoing funding for the Africa-led Movement (£35m) and the UN Joint Programme. It also commits to using diplomatic levers, potentially sanctions and travel bans, mobilising new funding for grassroots organizations, and stepping up international leadership on FGM.
15
Conclusion
Accepted
First Report - The FCDO’s approach…
UK aid cuts to HIV/AIDS funding undermine global targets for ending AIDS.
The goal of ending AIDS cannot be reached without access to proper care and treatment for all people living with HIV, and action to bring down the large numbers of people newly acquiring HIV (1.3 million in 2022, far above …
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Government Response
The FCDO partially agrees the AIDS epidemic is a major barrier and acknowledges COVID-19's impact, stating it remains a significant funder in the HIV response and continues to support key partners like the Global Fund, WHO, Unitaid, and UNAIDS.
17
Recommendation
Accepted
First Report - The FCDO’s approach…
Encourage effective integration of HIV into SRHR services, partnering with community-led organisations.
The FCDO should also actively encourage the effective integration of HIV into sexual and reproductive health services, by explicitly including HIV in SRHR policy documents and funding calls and requiring the inclusion of organisations with HIV expertise in the SRHR …
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Government Response
The government agrees with the recommendation, stating its HIV support is part of comprehensive SRHR and it expects all health programming to become integrated. It highlights that bilateral programmes are designed with community engagement and that existing funding supports civil society in improving HIV access and challenging discrimination.
18
Recommendation
Accepted
First Report - The FCDO’s approach…
Adopt a holistic and integrated 'one-stop shop' approach for FCDO SRHR programming.
The FCDO should have a holistic and integrated approach to all of its sexual and reproductive healthcare programming to enable recipients to live a healthy life and reach their full potential. When funding sexual and reproductive healthcare, the UK should …
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Government Response
The FCDO agrees with a holistic and integrated approach to SRHR, detailing how its WISH programme and the upcoming WISH Dividend will provide integrated services, and how its Girls' Education Challenge offers comprehensive SRHR interventions. It notes that some targeted funding may be less integrated but still part of a wider comprehensive approach.
19
Recommendation
Accepted
First Report - The FCDO’s approach…
Embed comprehensive age-appropriate sex education into FCDO ODA-funded education programmes.
Access to SRHR services and comprehensive sex education is vital to adolescents; however, adolescents may often face barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive health services. Ensuring that women and girls are fully educated on sexual and reproductive health can empower …
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Government Response
The FCDO agrees and states it is already supporting comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) through several programmes, including its Girls’ Education Challenge and the upcoming WISH Dividend programme, which will include CSE where appropriate.
20
Recommendation
Accepted
First Report - The FCDO’s approach…
Ensure FCDO-funded aid programme staff receive training to recognise and signpost safeguarding concerns.
People accessing SRHR services may be vulnerable, such as adolescents. The FCDO should ensure that staff who are delivering FCDO-funded aid programmes receive training to be able to recognise safeguarding concerns when interacting with aid recipients. These staff should be …
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Government Response
The FCDO agrees with the recommendation, stating it already works closely with partners to ensure a strong safeguarding culture and systems, which includes responding to concerns and signposting vulnerable individuals to wider services.
22
Recommendation
Accepted
First Report - The FCDO’s approach…
Include marginalised and excluded groups in SRHR programme planning and invest in their organisations.
People from marginalised groups, such as people with disabilities and LGBT+ people, may face additional and unique challenges in accessing SRHR services. The FCDO should ensure its commitment to the principle of ‘Leave No One Behind’ in all its SRHR …
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Government Response
The FCDO agrees and, as outlined in its 2022 Disability Inclusion and Rights Strategy, commits to increasing consultation and active involvement of organisations of persons with disabilities in SRHR programs, strengthening their capacity, and partnering in delivery, citing the ongoing Disability Inclusive Development program.
23
Recommendation
Accepted
First Report - The FCDO’s approach…
Ensure SRHR services in humanitarian contexts reach marginalised groups through FCDO knowledge-sharing.
The FCDO has made positive progress in tackling sexual and reproductive health in humanitarian contexts, such as by adopting the Minimum Initial Services Package. The FCDO should ensure that SRHR services in these contexts reach the most marginalised groups and …
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Government Response
The FCDO agrees, committing to considering SRHR in all humanitarian funding, supporting MISP rollout, ensuring cross-working, and producing a technical guidance note. It states the WISH Dividend programme is designed to prioritise support to fragile states and ensure services reach marginalised groups, and commits to improving knowledge sharing across teams.