Female genital mutilation in Africa: Politics of criminalisation
On 9 September 2025, SRHM hosted a thought-provoking webinar to launch the open-access book Female Genital Mutilation in Africa: Politics of Criminalisation, edited by Satang Nabaneh, Assistant Professor of Practice at the University of Dayton Human Rights Center, and affiliated faculty at the Center for Human Rights, University of Pretoria. Introduced by Eszter Kismödi, Chief Executive of SRHM, the event brought together contributing authors to reflect on the complex and evolving debates around FGM in Africa, particularly the role and limits of criminalization.Speakers:Satang Nabaneh (Moderator) - Beyond legislation: Examining the efficacy of criminalisation of female genital mutilation in AfricaAngela J Dawson - Research and female genital mutilation prevention: Evidence from AfricaSamuel Kimani - Medicalisation of female genital mutilation/cutting: Ethical dimensionsLaura Nyirinkindi - A case commentary on law and advocacy for women in Uganda v the Attorney General: Exploring the legal steps taken in abolishing the practice of female genital mutilation and challenges with implementing the decision
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Global progress in abortion law reform since ICPD
In this episode of the SRHM Podcast, host Eszter Kismödi speaks with Katie Mayall, Laurenne Ajayi, and Caitlin Gruer—authors of the article Global progress in abortion law reform: a comparative legal analysis since the International Conference on Population and Development. Together, they unpack three decades of global shifts in abortion law, drawing on unique legal mapping by the Center for Reproductive Rights.The conversation explores key findings, including the surge of countries adopting abortion on request in recent years, the influence of feminist and intersectional movements, and the role of courts and constitutions in shaping access. The guests also discuss regional patterns, from the momentum of Latin America’s “green wave” to restrictive backlashes in places like the US, Poland and Nicaragua.As they highlight, while more than 825 million women of reproductive age now live in countries that have liberalised their laws since ICPD, one in four still live under highly restrictive regimes. The episode closes with a reflection on both the progress to celebrate and the urgent need for vigilance, coalition-building, and a vision of true reproductive autonomy where abortion is not only legal, but fully accessible as a human right.Useful links:Read the full paper: Global progress in abortion law reform: a comparative legal analysis since the International Conference on Population and Development (1994–2023) at srhmjournal.org. See our call for papers on 'Ensuring access to abortion as a matter of rights, equity and justice' at srhm.org/call-for-papers
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Dr Faysal El Kak: Vision as the New President of the World Association for Sexual Health
In this episode, SRHM Chief Executive Eszter Kismödi speaks with Dr Faysal El Kak, Associate Professor at the American University of Beirut and newly elected President of the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS). Against a backdrop of global political and economic turbulence, Dr El Kak reflects on the pressing challenges and emerging opportunities for sexual health worldwide—from rising anti-rights movements and economic pressures to bold youth activism and growing intersectional approaches.He shares his vision of WAS as a powerful convening force, uniting organisations, agencies, and advocates to protect and promote sexual health, dignity, and rights across the life course. The conversation also previews the upcoming World Sexual Health Assembly in Porto, set to bring together major international players to shape a collective roadmap for the next five years.
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Telehealth abortion services in Kenya via Women on Web
In this episode of the SRHM Podcast, we explore how people in Kenya are accessing safe abortion care online in the face of restrictive laws and limited health system support. Host Julia Hussein is joined by researchers Kenneth Juma (APHRC), Hazal Atay (Women on Web/Sciences Po), and Céline Miani (Bielefeld University) to discuss their study analysing nearly 900 telehealth abortion consultations via Women on Web between 2013 and 2019.The conversation dives into who is using these services, why they turn to teleabortion, and how this mode of care fits within broader frameworks of self-care and reproductive rights. Recorded during #SelfCareMonth, this episode highlights the power of self-managed abortion as both a health intervention and a means of reproductive autonomy.Useful links:Read the full paper, 'Telehealth abortion services via Women on Web in Kenya (2013–2019): a descriptive analysis of the characteristics and motivations of the care seekers' at srhmjournal.orgCall for papers on ensuring access to abortion as a matter of rights, equity and justice' at srhm.org. More papers on SRHR and self-care on the SRHM Blog
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Re-release - Assisted Reproduction in Africa: Insights from Fertility Professionals
In this episode, re-released from August 2024 for World IVF Day 2025, Nina Sun, the Associated Editor of the SRHM journal, speaks to Trudie Gerrits and Andrea Whittaker, the authors of a recently published paper: Assisted reproductive technologies in sub-Saharan Africa: fertility professionals' views.Andrea is a Professor of Anthropology at the School of Social Sciences at Monash University. Trudie is an Associate Professor at the Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research at the University of Amsterdam. Trudie and Andrea talk about their study, which involved semi-structured interviews with fertility specialists and embryologists from six sub-Saharan countries, and was funded by the Australian Government through the Australian Research Council. Specifically, they speak to the rationale or gap in knowledge behind this study, the implications of the findings, and ways to increase access to low-cost yet effective assisted reproductive technologies to address infertility in sub-Saharan Africa.Useful links:Read the full paper 'Access to assisted reproductive technologies in sub-Saharan Africa: fertility professionals’ views' at srhmjournal.org. See SRHM's call for papers: www.srhm.org/call-for-papers
About Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters Podcast
The SRHM Podcast explores new research and emerging trends in the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters or SRHM promotes sexual and reproductive health and rights globally. At the heart of SRHM is a multidisciplinary, open-access, peer-reviewed journal. SRHM also creates and participates in spaces that motivate improvements in research, policy, services and practice. It contributes to capacity building in knowledge generation.
Learn more at srhm.org.
Music by Tiber Krisztián and Salamon Botond
Sound editing by We Edit Podcasts
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