Source · Select Committees · International Development Committee
Recommendation 18
18
Accepted
Adopt a holistic and integrated 'one-stop shop' approach for FCDO SRHR programming.
Recommendation
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
Government Response 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 but still part of a wider comprehensive approach.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
Agree 66. The FCDO is committed to the provision of comprehensive SRHR services and we support an integrated approach to healthcare, outlined in our ending preventable deaths and health system approaches. 67. The WISH programme has supported the provision of integrated comprehensive SRHR services through public and private services, targeting populations at greatest risk. In the forthcoming successor programme, WISH Dividend, depending on need, context and feasibility, support will include long-acting reversible/ permanent and short-term contraception including self-care; prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections; Post-Abortion Care (PAC); Safe Abortion Care (SAC) to the full extent allowed by national laws; prevention, detection, and treatment of cervical cancer and treatment of female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) and benign gynaecological conditions. 68. The FCDO’s education programmes also provide a comprehensive offer for maximum impact. The Girls Education Challenge has five key SRHR interventions: access to Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE); knowledge and products to support Menstrual Health Management (MHM); it works with community members to shift unhelpful norms; it trains and supports staff delivering CSE sessions; and supports access to family planning resources and services. These lead to improved MHM, enhanced SRHR knowledge and increased agency around SRHR decision making. 69. However, in some cases the FCDO may target its funding on singular issues which are otherwise underfunded or where there is a particular need for focused investment, for example, on safe abortion. This means that some of our programming may be less integrated but still form a part of a wider comprehensive approach.