Let’s place sexual and reproductive health and rights top and centre on the political agenda

We count down to the Nairobi Summit of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD)   from November 12 to 14 with great excitement. It marks 25 years since the ICPD in Cairo adopted its landmark Programme of Action, centred on the recognition that sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality and women’s empowerment are essential to achieving sustainable development.

Since 1994, there has been remarkable progress on the Programme of Action when it comes to improved access to reproductive health services, increased longevity and a reduction in maternal and child mortality. Kenya has made important progress and decreased under-five mortality from more than one out of 10 live births in 2000 to less than one out of 20 in 2017.