Dar es Salaam, Tanzania | 26–27 October 2026
KELIN participated in a regional validation meeting on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Scorecards and Human Rights Accountability Mechanisms, held on 26–27 October 2026 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Convened by the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) in collaboration with the Eastern Africa National Networks of AIDS and Health Service Organizations (EANNASO), the meeting brought together civil society organizations, government representatives, researchers and other stakeholders. KELIN was represented by Melinda Mugambi, Programme Officer- SRHR.
The meeting presented emerging findings from research undertaken under the Regional Access and Accountability for Increased SRHR Equity (RAISE SRHR) programme, implemented in collaboration with the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) secretariats. The research covered eight countries: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi and South Africa. It examined existing SRHR, HIV and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) accountability tools, including national health information systems, regional scorecards and community-led monitoring mechanisms, identifying progress, gaps and opportunities for strengthening accountability.
During the two-day meeting, participants were taken through the research findings and worked in country groups to review and validate the preliminary findings, correct inaccuracies, supplement missing information and identify areas requiring improvement. KELIN took part in the focus group discussions on the existing Kenyan data systems. Recommendations from the group emphasised the need for integrated data systems across health and health-related sectors to ensure comprehensive reporting and evidence-informed policymaking, the importance of disaggregated data in identifying populations disproportionately affected and the need to safeguard privacy and confidentiality of sensitive health information. Importantly for CSOs, there is need for timely and proactive public disclosure of non-confidential information to promote transparency, facilitate independent monitoring and strengthen accountability.
A central focus of the plenary discussions was the importance of accurate, reliable and consolidated data while safeguarding the privacy and confidentiality of sensitive information in monitoring the implementation of States’ human rights obligations. Despite the existence of various monitoring mechanisms, fragmented reporting systems, inconsistent indicators and incomplete data continue to present challenges in assessing the actual state of SRHR across countries. Strengthening data collection, verification and harmonisation is therefore essential to ensuring that national reports accurately reflect both progress made and persistent gaps in the realisation of human rights.
The submissions and recommendations will inform revisions to the research report, alongside additional follow-up, if necessary. KELIN looks forward to a review of the final research report.
To contribute to discussions on these issues, visit our website and follow us on social media.
Website: www.kelinkenya.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kelinkenya
Twitter(X): @KELINKenya
For more information please contact:
Melinda Mugambi, Programme Officer – SRHR
KELIN
