Nurses and Midwives as Advocates for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

Whereas sexual reproductive health (SRH) is vital for our overall health, it’s important to note that it’s not only shaped by social determinants of health but also deeply impacted by stigma and taboos surrounding matters like sex, pleasure, abortion, and adolescent sexuality. This has in turn led to neglect of SRHR-related issues.

Worse still, matters of SRHR have been ignored, not only in our communities but also in key areas like health training institutions, and the development of government policies. However, in SRHR, advocacy is often a necessary activity.

Since time memorial, advocacy has been critical to improving access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care and ensuring that our human rights are upheld. From treatment of HIV to access of post-abortion care, the SRH services that we often take for granted in Uganda are available today because of the tireless efforts and work of advocates who wanted better for themselves and the communities they lived in.

Well, to advocate effectively, you need to identify; the change you would like to make; and the decision-makers and influencers who make that change, eg: politicians and government officials among others.

In August 2019, I was selected among the thousands of young Nurse-Midwife leaders in Uganda for advocacy training at Mbale Resort Hotel. The training focused on Advanced Family planning SMART advocacy. Ever since then, I have never looked back, as the training became an eye-opener.

With additional training from The Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD), i have even become a better advocate, not only for SRHR but also for other vital health and professional concerns. I have learnt to identify community problems/gaps inline, gone ahead to identify the key people/influencers and teams to help me in solving such issues, and then found solutions with minimal resources. More to that, these trainings have brought out some of the best advocacy skills in me such as writing, critical thinking & decision making, confidence, effective communication, networking, negotiation, leadership and public speaking skills among many others.

Remember, worldwide, nurses and midwives are recognised as powerful and vital advocates because;

• They are on the frontline of healthcare and provide the majority of patient-centred care
• Nursing and midwifery stretches across all areas of healthcare.
• Nurses and midwives understand what works and what doesn’t work.
• They handle patients holistically, taking into consideration the physical, social, psychological, spiritual and emotional well-being of one 
• Nurses and midwives advocate for those in our care, especially society’s most vulnerable 
• They support and treat patients at every stage of life (from birth to death) and are involved in the conversation from the start to the end
• Nurses and midwives can improve the outcomes of care

Therefore, nothing about us as nurses and midwives is without us. Imagine a healthcare sector where each nurse or midwife is an advocate! It is therefore important that fellow health professionals with a key focus on nurses and midwives are empowered and equipped with advocacy skills. 

The author is a BSc Nurse & MSN-Midwife & Women’s Health Specialist, Advocate, Researcher & Heroes in Health Award Winning Midwife