A comprehensive new review of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) research in West and Central Africa has revealed persistent gaps that continue to put millions of women, girls, adolescents, and marginalized populations at risk. The report, conducted by the African Health Economics and Policy Association (AfHEA) in June 2025, analyzed 94 studies across the region, uncovering widespread deficiencies in policy implementation, service delivery, and research attention. Led by public health researcher Dr. Esther Abikoye, the review forms part of AfHEA’s Addressing Neglected Areas of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Sub-Saharan Africa (ANeSA) initiative, funded by Global Affairs Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the International Development Research Centre.
Dr. Abikoye explained that the findings demonstrate a pattern of systemic neglect in areas that directly affect the most vulnerable individuals, undermining progress toward gender equality, human rights, and universal health coverage. The report highlights seven critical areas requiring urgent action, including infertility and subfertility, adolescent sexual and reproductive health, unsafe abortion services, sexual and gender-based violence, mental health in relation to sexuality, harmful traditional practices affecting SRHR, and healthcare access for marginalized communities.
Infertility in the region, for example, is reported to be double the global average, yet national health agendas rarely address the issue, leaving many women reliant on traditional methods due to the scarcity and high cost of biomedical services. Adolescents, particularly those with disabilities, street-involved youth, and displaced populations, face significant barriers in accessing accurate SRH information and essential care. The report also points to over 1.8 million unsafe abortions performed annually in West Africa, driven by restrictive laws, societal stigma, and a shortage of trained healthcare providers, resulting in preventable complications and deaths.
Sexual and gender-based violence remains alarmingly high, with women with disabilities and female sex workers facing the greatest risks. Mental health issues connected to sexuality are largely ignored, with only a single study across the region examining this critical intersection. Harmful traditional practices, including female genital mutilation and female genital schistosomiasis, continue to be underestimated in programming, despite their lifelong impact on women and girls. Marginalized groups such as street hawkers, rural women, ethnic minorities, and people with disabilities often face multiple layers of discrimination, limiting their access to essential sexual and reproductive healthcare.
The review also highlights geographic imbalances in research, with only 13 countries in West and Central Africa having sufficient SRHR studies. Dr. Abikoye noted that this leaves nearly half the region without the evidence necessary to inform effective, context-specific interventions. She emphasized that governments, development partners, health institutions, and civil society organizations must act immediately to address these neglected areas. Strengthening national SRHR policies, expanding education and awareness programs for vulnerable populations, increasing mental health services, promoting disability-inclusive and youth-friendly care, conducting research in underrepresented countries, and enforcing existing laws on harmful practices are all urgent priorities.
“The review provides clear evidence and a roadmap for action. Governments must demonstrate political will and commit to addressing neglected areas of sexual and reproductive health. The wellbeing of millions of women and girls depends on it,” Dr. Abikoye stressed.
The SRHR Review Report (June 2025) offers a detailed mapping of neglected areas and marginalized populations in West and Central Africa and is intended to support policymakers, health professionals, and development partners in designing inclusive, evidence-based interventions.
New SRHR Review Exposes Critical Gaps in Women’s and Adolescent Health Across West and Central Africa
Abuja, Nigeria – A comprehensive new review of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) research in West and Central Africa has revealed persistent gaps that continue to put millions of women, girls, adolescents, and marginalized populations at risk. The report, conducted by the African Health Economics and Policy Association (AfHEA) in June 2025, analyzed 94 studies across the region, uncovering widespread deficiencies in policy implementation, service delivery, and research attention. Led by public health researcher Dr. Esther Abikoye, the review forms part of AfHEA’s Addressing Neglected Areas of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Sub-Saharan Africa (ANeSA) initiative, funded by Global Affairs Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the International Development Research Centre.
Dr. Abikoye explained that the findings demonstrate a pattern of systemic neglect in areas that directly affect the most vulnerable individuals, undermining progress toward gender equality, human rights, and universal health coverage. The report highlights seven critical areas requiring urgent action, including infertility and subfertility, adolescent sexual and reproductive health, unsafe abortion services, sexual and gender-based violence, mental health in relation to sexuality, harmful traditional practices affecting SRHR, and healthcare access for marginalized communities.
Infertility in the region, for example, is reported to be double the global average, yet national health agendas rarely address the issue, leaving many women reliant on traditional methods due to the scarcity and high cost of biomedical services. Adolescents, particularly those with disabilities, street-involved youth, and displaced populations, face significant barriers in accessing accurate SRH information and essential care. The report also points to over 1.8 million unsafe abortions performed annually in West Africa, driven by restrictive laws, societal stigma, and a shortage of trained healthcare providers, resulting in preventable complications and deaths.
Sexual and gender-based violence remains alarmingly high, with women with disabilities and female sex workers facing the greatest risks. Mental health issues connected to sexuality are largely ignored, with only a single study across the region examining this critical intersection. Harmful traditional practices, including female genital mutilation and female genital schistosomiasis, continue to be underestimated in programming, despite their lifelong impact on women and girls. Marginalized groups such as street hawkers, rural women, ethnic minorities, and people with disabilities often face multiple layers of discrimination, limiting their access to essential sexual and reproductive healthcare.
The review also highlights geographic imbalances in research, with only 13 countries in West and Central Africa having sufficient SRHR studies. Dr. Abikoye noted that this leaves nearly half the region without the evidence necessary to inform effective, context-specific interventions. She emphasized that governments, development partners, health institutions, and civil society organizations must act immediately to address these neglected areas. Strengthening national SRHR policies, expanding education and awareness programs for vulnerable populations, increasing mental health services, promoting disability-inclusive and youth-friendly care, conducting research in underrepresented countries, and enforcing existing laws on harmful practices are all urgent priorities.
“The review provides clear evidence and a roadmap for action. Governments must demonstrate political will and commit to addressing neglected areas of sexual and reproductive health. The wellbeing of millions of women and girls depends on it,” Dr. Abikoye stressed.
The SRHR Review Report (June 2025) offers a detailed mapping of neglected areas and marginalized populations in West and Central Africa and is intended to support policymakers, health professionals, and development partners in designing inclusive, evidence-based interventions.
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