ICRH Contributes to Shaping Global SRHR Research Agenda at WHO Meeting in Geneva

ICRH participated in the WHO HRP Research Policy and Coordination Committee (PCC) meeting in Geneva. As a WHO Collaborating Centre on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), ICRH was invited to contribute to discussions that will guide global research priorities in this increasingly contested field.

A critical time when political resistance to SRHR is mounting in several regions of the world, the meeting highlighted the vital role of evidence-based policy in advancing health and rights. Participants engaged in strategic dialogue around pressing topics such as the spread of mis- and disinformation, the urgent need to strengthen research capacity globally, and the essential contributions of non-profit actors in the research ecosystem.

Among the highlights of the event was the active participation of a strong Flemish delegation representing Belgium. Katrien de Pauw, Diplomatic Representative of Flanders in Geneva, and Sander Spanoghe, Policy Officer at the Flemish Government, were present alongside Emilie Peeters, Policy Officer at ICRH.

The meeting also featured representatives from ANSER (The Academic Network for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Policy) including Onikepe Owolabi and Elizabeth Sully of the Guttmacher Institute, Amanda Cleeve from the Karolinska Institutet, and Emilie Peeters representing ICRH and Ghent University. Their presence highlighted the strong academic collaboration. Gathering a broad spectrum of stakeholders, the PCC meeting served as a vibrant platform for collaboration and forward-thinking dialogue.

ICRH extends its sincere thanks to Dr. Pascale Allotey, Director of the WHO HRP, for her visionary leadership in steering this vital initiative.