Accountability for SRHR Under Universal Health Coverage

Abstract

Accountability for SRHR in the context of UHC is important if Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 3.8 and 5.6 are to be achieved. SDG target 3.8 states “Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential healthcare services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all”. SDG 5.6 specifically refers to SRHR. It emphasizes “Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences”. In the context of these international commitment, this paper fleshes out concepts in accountability, and show cases accountability strategies, interventions, tools, systems and mechanisms from different countries. It then pulls out lessons on making accountability for SRHR work in the context of UHC.