Advancing the Integration of Family Planning and Reproductive Health into Climate Change Policies and Programming in East Africa
Experts Call for Integration of Family Planning and Reproductive Health into East Africa’s Climate Strategies
As the East African region grapples with increasing climate vulnerabilities—such as droughts, floods, rising temperatures, and food insecurity— the USAID-funded Building Capacity for Integrated Family Planning/Reproductive Health and Population, Environment and Development Action (BUILD) regional policy analyses have highlighted a significant gap in the region’s climate policies.
Current frameworks, including the East African Community (EAC) Climate Change Strategy and Policy, do not adequately address the intersections between family planning (FP), reproductive health (RH), population dynamics, gender equity, and youth engagement. This lack of integration limits the region’s ability to implement effective climate adaptation and mitigation strategies, particularly for women, youth, and vulnerable communities.
Key recommendations include revising outdated policies and aligning national frameworks with global climate finance mechanisms, such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF), to better protect at-risk populations. Experts also urge the implementation of regional training programs for policymakers and civil society organizations to foster a more comprehensive understanding of the FP/RH-climate nexus. Additionally, the BUILD project recommend organizing cross-sectoral dialogues and developing robust monitoring systems to track the integration of FP/RH into climate strategies, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement across the region.
Year: 2024
Source: The BUILD Project
