Approaches for expanding access

Integrated services

Integrating reproductive health, family planning and STI/HIV prevention and treatment services is critical for achieving universal access. Integration requires that health care workers can provide an appropriate comprehensive package of services under one roof. More...

 

Targeting marginalised groups

Many people are unable to access mainstream SRH services or programmes for reasons of poverty, language, disability and geographical inaccessibility; or are denied access because of stigma, discrimination or restrictive laws and policies. More...

Strengthening participation and accountability

Actively involving marginalised groups in decision making processes at all levels, and providing them with the opportunity to hold service providers and policy makers accountable, helps to redress inequalities in access to services. More... 

 

Improving quality of care

Perceived quality of care is an important factor that determines whether people choose to utilise SRH services. Evidence suggests that when women feel that they were receiving a high standard of care, they were more likely to use contraceptives. More...

 

Sustainable financing

To achieve universal access, it is essential that SRH services are affordable even for the poorest people in societies. In many instances, this means that services must be free. Reductions in donor funding mean that providing free services is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain. More...

 

Drawing on international human rights legislation and advocacy

Human rights legislation and documents have been used by NGOs, civil society organisations and marginalised groups to influence policy and challenge restrictive laws that prevent access to SRH services. More...