We convened a validation meeting on 4th/June/2026 with different stakeholders to review findings from two research studies examining access to sexual and reproductive health commodities within the Litigating Reproductive Justice in Africa (LIRA) initiative.
The first study assessed the alignment of National Essential Medicines Lists (NEMLs) in ten LIRA countries with World Health Organization recommendations on essential sexual and reproductive health commodities. The findings revealed important progress in the inclusion of key commodities across countries, while also highlighting persistent policy and regulatory gaps that continue to affect equitable access to reproductive health services.
The second study examined the availability, affordability, and accessibility of sexual and reproductive health commodities across 144 health facilities in Uganda. The findings revealed significant challenges, including limited availability of some essential commodities, frequent stock-outs, affordability barriers, and geographic disparities that disproportionately affect rural communities. The study also highlighted how stigma, legal uncertainty, and misinformation continue to hinder access to reproductive health services.
Together, these studies underscore the need for stronger policy reform, improved commodity security, enhanced regulatory coordination, and sustained advocacy to ensure equitable access to essential sexual and reproductive health commodities as part of the right to health.