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256370 Budgetary advocacy to improve reproductive health outcomesWednesday, October 31, 2012
: 11:10 AM - 11:30 AM
Objectives: The Reproductive Health Advocacy & Leadership Initiative (REHALI) advances reproductive health (RH) in Malawi by strengthening the capacity of civil society leaders to advocate for improved government transparency and increased budgets for RH.
Background: Malawi's total fertility rate is 5.6 and 11% of adults have HIV. There is a critical need for increased investment in RH in Malawi, and a lack of government accountability on issues of health budgeting. Methods: Implemented by the Public Health Institute, REHALI's primary strategies include: 1. Capacity Building – Through intensive training, REHALI Fellows strengthen their knowledge about RH and budgetary advocacy and create advocacy strategies to improve government budgets for RH. 2. Seed Grants – PHI awards seed funds to the REHALI Fellows' organizations that demonstrate the greatest potential to advocate for improved budgets for RH. Results: REHALI has strengthened the capacity of leaders in Malawi to advocate for improved government transparency and expanded budgetary allocations for RH. Current grantees are advocating for improved budgets for family planning services in high need districts in Malawi. Conclusions: REHALI demonstrates that civil society leaders can successfully advocate with the government for improved budgets for RH and presents a replicable model for improving government investment in RH outcomes. REHALI strengthens institutional capacity, while building legal and policy support for RH by funding innovative advocacy strategies. Implications: Program results will be used to expand the REHALI model to additional focus countries and build the evidence base for a replicable model that improves government investment in RH outcomes.
Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health educationImplementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines Public health or related public policy Learning Objectives: Keywords: Advocacy, Reproductive Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the manager of the project described in the abstract and have worked in the fields of advocacy, reproductive health, and international public health for the past 7 years. I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.
Back to: 5108.0: Reproductive rights and justice
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