Raising the financial prioritization that governments give to reproductive health (RH) supplies has been at the core of the Coalition's mission since its creation in 2004. The Financing Reproductive Health Supplies workstream of the Resource Mobilization and Awareness Working Group (RMA WG) is a key vehicle through which the Coalition advances this goal.
The upcoming 10-year anniversary of the Istanbul conference provides a timely opportunity to assess RH supplies advocacy achievements and challenges over the past decade and to forecast advocacy needs over the next ten years. In addition, the HANDtoHAND Campaign presents a valuable opportunity for the Coalition and key stakeholders to work together to achieve the Campaign's goal of 100 million new users of modern contraception by 2015. Both the Istanbul +10 Initiative and HANDtoHAND will be a focus of the Financing RH Supplies workstream. This workstream will also coordinate closely with the Country Advocacy workstream.
Objectives of the Workstream
- To develop reliable analyses of donor funding for RH supplies that can be used by governments and advocates alike
- To keep the RMA WG and the Coalition appraised of innovative sources of financing for health and their potential for RH supplies funding, and target global initiatives and partnerships that could provide new or increased financial support for RH supplies
- To advocate with key donors and other stakeholders, including civil society organizations, for support of the HANDtoHAND Campaign, as well as the Access RH and the Pledge Guarantee for Health mechanisms of the Coalition
- To promote increased donor coordination so that funding is more effective and does not undermine ongoing advocacy efforts at the national level
- To promote the harmonization of currently available cost estimates for reproductive health and RH supplies needs in developing countries
- To serve as a forum for governments, private foundations, advocates and other RMA WG members to exchange information and engage in joint messaging and strategy development
Expected Outcomes of the Workstream
- A solid evidence-base on funding levels and needs, as well as sources of innovative financing
- An informed Coalition membership that can communicate and utilize RH supplies financing-related information
- More effective and harmonized advocacy messaging and strategy around RH supplies financing, among Coalition members
- Increased commitments to the HANDtoHAND Campaign made and implemented by Coalition members and other stakeholders
- Increased resource allocation to RH supplies
- Increased coordination and cooperation between advocates from both developed and less developed countries, as well as between them and donor governments and private foundations
