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Impact of COVID-19 on the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women in Eswatini Chapter Impact of COVID-19 on the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women in Eswatini

 

ABSTRACT

The world has made sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) a cornerstone of sustainable development. This was done through the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by member states of the United Nations. At the regional level, the African Union has made sexual and reproductive health rights central by adopting the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol).

With the advent of COVID- 19, many countries, including Eswatini, have been forced to divert their focus and resources from other urgent priorities in order to effectively address the consequences of COVID-19 effectively. COVID-19 is a health problem that has placed a heavy burden on the health systems of many countries around the world, in both developed and developing countries. Other ills, such as corruption, have resulted in COVID-19 funds being misappropriated and the right to access health being overlooked in relation to other areas such as SRHR.

This chapter examines the impact of COVID-19 on access to contraception as a right to access sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in the Kingdom of Eswatini. It highlights some of the limitations and implications of COVID-19 constraints and the impact on SRHR, particularly on access to contraceptives, and finally provides recommendations for best practices.

This doctrinal study is significant in that it reaffirms that SRHR remains the cornerstone of sustainable development even in the face of a pandemic such as COVID-19. States cannot simply abdicate their obligation to provide SRHR services.

https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781032671437-12/impact-covid-19-sexual-reproductive-health-rights-women-eswatini-simangele-mavundla-ann-strode

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