Whose voice counts? Achieving better outcomes in global sexual and reproductive health and rights research
Cristina A. Mattison, Elena Ateva, Luc de Bernis, Lorena Binfa, Jama Ali Egal, Karyn Kaufman, Marie Klingberg‐Allvin, Elisa M. Maffioli, Mary J. Renfrew, Pragati Sharma
Abstract
Many indicators related to sexual and reproductive health and rights have worsened, with COVID-19, war and powerful conservative political movements around the world reversing decades of improvements.<br/><br/>Improving sexual and reproductive health and rights generates a cascade effect that contributes to gender equality and power and improves overall health and well-being.<br/><br/>Any solutions to address the problems in global sexual and reproductive health and rights research first require recognition of a fundamental disconnect between who is leading the research and the actual needs of the users of care.<br/><br/>We encourage pursuit of transdisciplinary solution-focused questions and research designs that address the needs of local communities by drawing on the knowledge of diverse interprofessional groups, across geographic regions, who have access to the resources and space that amplify their voices and ways of working.