Media and advocacy on sexual and reproductive health and rights in Kenya
Simply put, media and advocacy on sexual and reproductive health and rights refers to using media platforms like television, radio, newspapers, and online or digital platforms and channels to raise awareness about the rights, promote their benefits, and advocate for policies and programs that increase access to reproductive health services.
This ultimately encouraging individuals to make informed decisions about their reproductive health and family size.
Despite the existence of overwhelming evidence that sexual and reproductive health and rights is a key driver of socioeconomic development, the issue in Kenya has often been overlooked and not received adequate financial investments.
A significant investment to date has been predominantly drawn from nongovernmental and foreign donors most of whom have given an indication to significantly reduce the support to the Country by 2026.
It is therefore paramount that Kenya increases domestic sources of financing which should largely be drawn from the Government budget.
Part of the underlying reason for low domestic investments in sexual and reproductive health and rights is the failure by NGOs and other stakeholders to collaboratively work with the media to effectively communicate the importance of family planning to policymakers, planners, the public and other stakeholders.
As the fourth estate responsible for agenda setting, the media remains an integral element of a policy advocacy campaign.
The effective and strategic use of media in advocacy creates a favorable environment for policy change.
Given the protracted nature of policy change, it is important to pursue a concerted, and well-coordinated effort informed by the requisite tools and messages and involving a multiplicity of actors.
Over time, and during workshops and other engagements, the media has cited lack of relevant and simplified information tailored for the key audiences and delivered in the right channels to inform these efforts.
Furthermore, there is a need to demonstrate the holistic social and economic benefits of sexual and reproductive health and rights to ensure this sector obtains its fair share from the Government given the multiple competing development agenda.
For this to be successive, there is increasing need for the media to play a bigger role in communicating the sexual and reproductive health and rights agenda.
Empowering journalists for this role through regular trainings and development of a media advocacy guide for sexual and reproductive health and rights will play a significant role for the realization of the agenda.
Such trainings and guide will enable NGOs and other stakeholders to work effectively with the media.
The trainings and guide can also provide the media with the requisite resources and tools that would enable them to push out and amplify the importance of sexual and reproductive health and rights as a social and economic driver of development.
A well-informed advocacy effort will help to position sexual and reproductive health and rights as an instrument to spur economic growth and development and lead to integration of sexual and reproductive health and rights into other development programs beyond the health sector.
Successful advocacy will cause policy makers to prioritize domestic financing of family planning at national and county levels in Kenya.
Continuous trainings and media advocacy guide can play big role in promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights related news items bearing in mind the diverse audiences to be reached through various channels. Â Ultimately, this can contribute to increased Government investments in sexual and reproductive health and rights.
