FCDO’s approach to sexual and reproductive health

International Development Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 7 Mar 2023 Closed: 21 May 2024 Parliament page
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 … Read more
19 Recommendations
5 Conclusions
1 Report
3 Oral sessions
3 Events
Activity timeline 8 events
17 May
2024
Report published
25 Jan
2024
Report published
12 Sep
2023
Oral evidence
12 Sep
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
4 Jul
2023
Oral evidence
4 Jul
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
23 May
2023
Oral evidence
23 May
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 3 sessions
12 Sep 2023
View on parliament.uk
FCDO’s approach to sexual and reproductive health
Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
4 Jul 2023
View on parliament.uk
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
View on parliament.uk
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
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
7 results
Clear
4 Recommendation Accepted in Part
First Report - The FCDO’s approach…
Continue support and restore discretionary funding for key multilateral SRHR organisations to pre-pandemic levels
Multilateral organisations are sometimes best placed to act and implement aid programming on sexual and reproductive health. The UK has historically been a key donor to multilateral organisations working on sexual and reproductive health. Evidence to the Committee has shown … Read more
Government Response
The FCDO partially agrees, acknowledging the importance of multilateral organisations and outlining its current support. However, it states it cannot commit to a set level of financial contribution or restore discretionary funding to pre-pandemic levels, preferring to assess funding based on impact and value for money.
View details
5 Recommendation Accepted in Part
First Report - The FCDO’s approach…
Ensure FCDO meets UNFPA Supplies Partnership funding commitment and restore UNFPA core funding
The Committee is pleased to see the FCDO’s continuing commitment to family planning as a core part of its work on sexual and reproductive health, including the provision of safe and legal abortion services. However, the FCDO’s abrupt and sudden … Read more
Government Response
The FCDO partially agrees, stating it has returned funding to the UNFPA Supplies Partnership to 2019 levels (£60m in 2022 and 2023). However, it is unable to restore core funding to the UNFPA to pre-Covid-19 levels, though it is increasing support by £4.25m for humanitarian efforts.
View details
7 Recommendation Accepted in Part
First Report - The FCDO’s approach…
Publish annual key targets and achievements for FCDO's EPD and HSS approach papers
The FCDO’s approach papers on ending preventable deaths of mothers, babies and children by 2030 (EPD) and health systems strengthening (HSS) show a positive step in the right direction. However, in the absence of key targets for progress or regular … Read more
Government Response
The FCDO will publish an Ending Preventable Deaths (EPD) narrative report in 2024 with progress, and will report against key EPD indicators through existing mechanisms like the FCDO Outcome Delivery Plan, rather than establishing a new annual reporting framework.
View details
8 Recommendation Accepted in Part
First Report - The FCDO’s approach…
Calculate and justify minimum bilateral ODA for WASH, ensuring integrated SRHR programmes
Access to clean water and the provision of adequate sanitation and hygiene reduces the risk of maternal and newborn mortality. In complementarity to its approach on SRHR spending, the FCDO should calculate and justify a minimum bilateral ODA percentage that … Read more
Government Response
The FCDO partially agrees, committing to an integrated approach for WASH and SRHR and detailing its £18.5 million WASH Systems for Health programme. However, it rejects setting a minimum bilateral ODA percentage for WASH, citing the need for budget flexibility.
View details
9 Recommendation Accepted in Part
First Report - The FCDO’s approach…
Calculate minimum ODA for training health personnel and invest in health infrastructure in LMICs
The involvement of trained health personnel and access to adequate health care facilities for maternal and newborn health improves health outcomes for the mother and child. The FCDO should support the strengthening of healthcare systems by prioritising investment in the … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees to support healthcare systems, training, and WASH infrastructure through existing and new programmes like WISH Dividend and the new WASH Systems programme. However, it explicitly rejects setting a minimum percentage of ODA for health personnel training, citing a preference for budget flexibility.
View details
13 Recommendation Accepted in Part
First Report - The FCDO’s approach…
Integrate female genital schistosomiasis care into UK SRHR programming with education and WASH.
Female genital schistosomiasis is a painful and debilitating but treatable condition affecting up to 56 million women. FGS is best tackled through an integrated approach with wider SRHR programming, as well as with other areas of programming such as education, … Read more
Government Response
The FCDO partially agrees, noting existing research support and integration efforts for FGS with HIV/SRHR services via UNAIDS. It commits to including FGS treatment in the forthcoming WISH Dividend program where feasible and will explore further integration into SRHR programming.
View details
21 Recommendation Accepted in Part
First Report - The FCDO’s approach…
Ensure FCDO SRHR programmes include dedicated budget, targets, and disaggregated data for disabled people.
People with disabilities may face additional barriers to accessing SRHR programmes and providing services to people with disabilities may often take additional resources. Consequently, organisations implementing development programmes may be disincentivised from reaching marginalised groups as programmes are often required … Read more
Government Response
The FCDO partially agrees, committing to embed disability inclusion by 2030 and ensure new SRHR programmes like WISH Dividend disaggregate data, have targets, and dedicated budgets. However, they state it is not possible to disaggregate data for all SRHR programming due to complexity and data limitations.
View details
Government Response AI assessment · 24 of 19 classified
Accepted 12
Accepted in Part 7
Acknowledged 4
Rejected 1
Total 19 recs + 5 conclusions