“By bringing together African expertise and amplifying community voices, we are not only shaping policies but also driving real change that reflects the realities of our people.”
Johannesburg, 24 September 2024: Amref Health Africa has launched a groundbreaking Think Tank to bolster civil society advocacy for climate change, health, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in Southern Africa. This African-led platform connects civil society, governments and academia to provide strategic leadership on SRHR and climate change, aiming to shape a healthier and more resilient future for Africa.
Southern Africa faces a convergence of health and environmental challenges, with climate change exacerbating public health threats across the region. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), climate change is expected to cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year globally between 2030 and 2050, due to malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea, and heat stress, disproportionately affecting low-resource settings like Southern Africa. Additionally, climate change is directly impacting sexual and reproductive health by increasing the vulnerability of women and girls to health complications, reducing access to essential services, and heightening risks during pregnancy and childbirth in climate-affected areas. Access to SRHR remains critically low in the region, with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)reporting that only 58% of women of reproductive age in Southern Africa have access to modern contraceptives, underscoring the urgent need for policy and advocacy interventions.
“This Think Tank is a bold step towards addressing the intertwined challenges of climate change and health in Africa. By bringing together African expertise and amplifying community voices, we are not only shaping policies but also driving real change that reflects the realities of our people,” said Dona Anyona, the Policy and Advocacy Advisor at Amref Health Africa.
The newly established Think Tank is set to play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges by generating high-quality research, informing policy decisions, and enhancing the advocacy capacity of civil society organisations (CSOs), researchers, and policymakers. It will prioritise:
- Knowledge Generation: Producing in-depth research and analysis on SRHR, climate change, and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH).
- Policy Influence: Shaping policy decisions at national, regional, and global levels through evidence-based recommendations.
- Capacity Building: Providing training, mentorship, and technical assistance to CSOs and advocacy leaders to amplify their impact.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Fostering dialogue among diverse stakeholders to drive collaborative solutions and amplify African voices in global discussions.
“The Think Tank will be a game-changer in bridging the gap between research, policy, and practice. We aim to empower civil society and advocacy leaders with the tools and evidence they need to drive impactful change on the ground,” said Boniface Hlabano, Regional Programme Manager at Amref Health Africa.
The Think Tank aims to ensure that advocacy and policy decisions are informed by research-based evidence and expertise tailored to the unique contexts of Southern Africa. This approach will facilitate the development of innovative solutions that address SRHR, climate change, and WASH challenges, ultimately contributing to a more resilient and connected African advocacy sector.
“Our goal is to amplify African perspectives in the global advocacy ecosystem. This Think Tank is not just about generating research—it’s about translating that knowledge into actionable strategies that make a tangible difference in our communities,” stated Mr Anele Ndebele, the Think Tank Coordinator.
The Think Tank will steer a Community of Practice (COP) designed to connect individuals and organisations, sharing knowledge and expertise to achieve common advocacy goals. This network will offer access to research, training, and networking opportunities, including webinars, workshops, and collaborative projects.
The launch of the Think Tank happened at the end of a weeklong capacity-building workshop for the region’s civil society organisations on advocacy and modern campaign fundamentals. Through this initiative, Amref Health Africa reaffirms its commitment to amplifying African voices, perspectives, and expertise in the global advocacy ecosystem. This initiative aims to inform policy and practice, strengthen advocacy capacity, and foster strategic partnerships, ultimately shaping interventions that meet the real-world needs of African communities. The project is sponsored by the Open Society Foundation for Africa.
Amref Health Africa calls on stakeholders from all sectors—government, academia, civil society, and private industry—to engage with the Think Tank, contribute to its research and advocacy efforts, and be part of shaping a healthier future for Africa. For partnerships, please contact us via the media contacts below.
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About Amref Health Africa
Amref Health Africa, headquartered in Kenya, is the largest Africa-based international health and development organisation providing training and health services to over 20 million people annually in at least 30 countries in Africa. Amref Health Africa continues to evolve and innovate the approaches to increase sustainable health access among communities.
Amref manages a full range of medical and public health programmes tackling the most critical health challenges facing the continent – including global health emergencies, communicable and no-communicable diseases, neglected tropical diseases, maternal and childcare, as well as water, sanitation and climate change. Much of our credibility with local communities and African governments stems from the relationship and trust that we have built over the past 65 years.
Media Contacts:
- Maureen Cherongis, Media Relations Lead, Amref Health Africa: [email protected].
- Erick Achola, Global Communications Manager, Amref Health Africa: [email protected].