Recommendations & Conclusions
12 items
2
Recommendation
First Report - The FCDO’s approach to s…
Accepted
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 AI summary
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.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
6
Recommendation
First Report - The FCDO’s approach to s…
Accepted
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 in providing access to safe abortion, and update the Committee …
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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 in providing access to safe abortion, and update the Committee no later than Autumn 2024 on its progress. (Paragraph 28) Maternal and newborn health
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Government response AI summary
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.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
11
Recommendation
First Report - The FCDO’s approach to s…
Accepted
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 this area, for example, ensuring that education programmes include the …
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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 this area, for example, ensuring that education programmes include the provision of appropriate sanitary facilities. It should also support age-appropriate education on menstruation.
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Government response AI summary
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.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
12
Recommendation
First Report - The FCDO’s approach to s…
Accepted
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 also concerning, especially as adequate provision of the HPV vaccine …
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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 also concerning, especially as adequate provision of the HPV vaccine could greatly reduce the threat of cervical cancer to women and girls. The FCDO should look to incorporate care of gynaecological disease, including so-called ‘benign’ gynaecological disease, into its SRHR programming. It should also continue to support the provision of the HPV vaccine to women and girls and look to align this with its SRHR programming where possible.
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Government response AI summary
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 …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
14
Recommendation
First Report - The FCDO’s approach to s…
Accepted
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, including those tackling the medicalisation of FGM and ‘cross-border cutting’, …
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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, including those tackling the medicalisation of FGM and ‘cross-border cutting’, which involves moving women and girls across national borders to undergo FGM or cutters across national borders to perform the practice. (Paragraph 55) Sexually transmitted infections, including HIV and AIDS
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Government response AI summary
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 …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
15
Conclusion
First Report - The FCDO’s approach to s…
Accepted
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 the global target of 500,000 by 2025). More than 40 …
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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 the global target of 500,000 by 2025). More than 40 years after the first cases, the AIDS pandemic continues to pose a major barrier to global development, and COVID-19 has had a serious and significant impact on the ability of healthcare services to reach global targets on HIV and AIDS. Recent reductions in the UK’s bilateral aid spending on HIV and AIDS, alongside major cuts to its funding to UNAIDS, Unitaid and the Global Fund at the same time is, therefore, particularly concerning. (Paragraph 64) The FCDO’s approach to sexual and reproductive health 43
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Government response AI summary
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.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
17
Recommendation
First Report - The FCDO’s approach to s…
Accepted
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 programmes that it funds. These services should also be designed, …
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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 programmes that it funds. These services should also be designed, implemented, monitored and evaluated in close partnership with community-led and civil society organisations, recognising the vital role that they play in ensuring that services are responsive to local needs and are able to reach those most left behind.
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Government response AI summary
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 …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
18
Recommendation
First Report - The FCDO’s approach to s…
Accepted
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 also consider investing in a ‘one-stop shop’ approach to SRHR …
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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 also consider investing in a ‘one-stop shop’ approach to SRHR which would help to ensure truly comprehensive sexual and reproductive healthcare and reduce barriers to accessing lifesaving HIV and SRHR services, such as travel costs, time, and stigma. (Paragraph 68) Reaching marginalised and hard-to-reach groups
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Government response AI summary
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 …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
19
Recommendation
First Report - The FCDO’s approach to s…
Accepted
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 them and give them the autonomy to make informed decisions …
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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 them and give them the autonomy to make informed decisions in life. Better education among women and girls is also linked to better sexual and reproductive health outcomes. Considering the UK’s commitment to girls’ education, the FCDO should embed comprehensive age-appropriate sex education into its ODA-funded education programmes.
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Government response AI summary
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.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
20
Recommendation
First Report - The FCDO’s approach to s…
Accepted
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 empowered to signpost aid recipients to the appropriate services and …
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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 empowered to signpost aid recipients to the appropriate services and support.
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Government response AI summary
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.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
22
Recommendation
First Report - The FCDO’s approach to s…
Accepted
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 aid programmes. The FCDO should include hard-to-reach aid recipients, often …
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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 aid programmes. The FCDO should include hard-to-reach aid recipients, often those belonging to often marginalised and excluded groups, in the planning, development, and delivery of aid programmes on SRHR and should invest in community and civil society organisations led by these populations, recognising that they are essential partners in achieving health outcomes.
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Government response AI summary
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.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
23
Recommendation
First Report - The FCDO’s approach to s…
Accepted
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 consider how to further implement SRHR aid programming in humanitarian …
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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 consider how to further implement SRHR aid programming in humanitarian contexts to meet need. This should include knowledge- sharing between teams within the FCDO who work on fragile, conflict-affected, and humanitarian contexts and sexual and reproductive health, such as teams working on global health, humanitarian crisis response and the Office for Conflict, Stabilisation and Mediation. (Paragraph 86) Diplomatic support for sexual and reproductive health
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Government response AI summary
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 …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office