Progress and Possibility: A Tribute to SRHR Achievements
On February 12th, 2025, we gathered with distinguished guests, colleagues, and allies for an inspiring evening to celebrate the incredible progress made in advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). The event was a tribute to the achievements of the past years and a call to action for the continued fight toward gender justice and bodily autonomy for all.
Celebrating Milestones: The Impact of Oxfam Canada’s SRHR Programs
At Oxfam Canada, we firmly believe that gender justice is at the heart of social justice. This belief has guided our initiatives, such as Her Future, Her Choice (HFHC), a transformative project that has made a tangible difference in the lives of young women and girls in Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Canada. Through HFHC, over 353,000 individuals can access crucial information, services, and rights to make informed decisions about their bodies and futures. When women and girls have control over their reproductive health, they gain greater control over their lives.
Similarly, the Sexual Health and Empowerment (SHE) project in the Philippines has worked in remote and conflict-affected areas to engage women, girls, men and boys in shifting norms and attitudes surrounding sexual and reproductive health. This initiative has provided crucial education and resources to over 86,000 people, ensuring that women and girls have the knowledge and autonomy to make informed decisions about their health and futures.
The outcomes of these projects have been transformative. Over the past five years, we have witnessed powerful examples of change - from young girls being able to return to school after early pregnancies to healthcare providers shifting their attitudes to provide more inclusive, youth-friendly services.
The evening featured an immersive Virtual Reality booth, where attendees could hear first-hand stories from health workers like Raphanzel in Zambia and community male peer educator Laston in Malawi. It was an opportunity for attendees to witness first-hand the impact Oxfam programming has had in advancing SRHR.
As these two groundbreaking projects come to a close, we celebrate significant achievements: an 11% decrease in teen pregnancies, a 150% increase in the number of sexual and reproductive health clients served, and greater community acceptance of women’s and girls’ rights to their bodies, with 25% more community members supporting these rights.
Global and Local Perspectives on SRHR: Lessons Learned & the Path Forward
A key highlight of the evening was the panel discussion moderated by Alexandra Wilson, SRHR Program Manager at Oxfam Canada. The discussion brought together HFHC partners Sabrina Flack (Northern Birth Work Collective) and Laurel Cassels (S.H.A.R.E. program), as well as colleagues from Oxfam Philippines, Krizelle Anne Umali and Rina Angelica Fulo, who have worked on the SHE project. Conversations quickly turned to the progress made in SRHR, the persisting challenges, and the role of community-led initiatives in bridging gaps in sexual and reproductive health services. “At a time where it seems like our reproductive rights are at risk of being taken away, talking about Northern-specific reproductive justice is really important,” said Sabrina. “I think we’ve served the community by just shining a light on the experiences that people are having. They deserve to be seen and heard.”
Collective Commitment to SRHR
The success of these programs would not have been possible without the support of the generous Canadian public and the Government of Canada, which has demonstrated strong leadership in advocating for SRHR on the world stage. Through targeted investments in neglected areas—such as abortion and post-abortion care, contraception, and SRHR advocacy—the Canadian government has played a vital role in ensuring that women and girls worldwide have access to essential reproductive health services. As foreign aid funding rollbacks send shockwaves through the global humanitarian and development sector, we are reminded of the importance of continuing this vital work.
The longstanding commitments from Canadians who believe in Oxfam’s vision have been critical in advancing SRHR worldwide. We know that protecting the rights of women and girls involves a collective responsibility, and we are grateful for the public support we continue to receive to make our work possible. Yvonne Nkomanthenga, who took part in the Her Future, Her Choice project in Malawi, is proof of the importance of this work. At 16, she fell pregnant and was forced to leave school. Alongside her HFHC peers, she convinced her parents to let her return to school. “I wanted to prove to myself and my parents that I could succeed and to be able to send my child to school,” said Yvonne.
Looking Ahead: The Fight Continues
While we take this moment to celebrate, we must also recognize the challenges that remain. Around the world and here at home, women, girls, and marginalized communities continue to face barriers to their sexual and reproductive health. From stigma and misinformation to restrictive policies and underfunded services, the fight for bodily autonomy is far from over.
That is why this event was more than just a retrospective—it was a call to action. We must continue reaffirming our commitment and strengthening our collective resolve. Achieving lasting change requires collaboration between civil society organizations, governments, healthcare providers, educators, and advocates. It takes all of us.
As we move forward, let us carry the momentum of this celebration into the future. Let’s continue working together to ensure that every person, no matter where they live, has the right to make their own choices and live with dignity.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for your commitment and standing together in this critical movement. Let’s keep pushing forward—toward a future where SRHR is recognized as a fundamental human right for all.
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