As the world marks Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Day 2026, Women, Media and Change (WOMEC) has issued a strong call for urgent and sustained action to protect the health and dignity of women and young people.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr. Charity Binka, the organization emphasized that this year’s commemoration must go beyond symbolic recognition and translate into concrete reforms.
According to WOMEC, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are fundamental human rights that should be guaranteed without compromise.
“Access to accurate information and quality, responsive healthcare should not be negotiated, yet millions of women and girls continue to face barriers that put their health, futures and dignity at risk” the statement read.
Despite international commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals which include reducing global maternal mortality and ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare, significant gaps remain.
Across many countries, women and girls still struggle with limited access to contraception, unsafe abortion practices where legal restrictions persist, inadequate maternal healthcare and insufficient screening services for diseases such as cervical cancer.
Health experts warn that misinformation, stigma and cultural taboos continue to undermine progress. False narratives surrounding contraception, vaccines and sexuality education have spread widely in recent years, often discouraging young people from seeking reliable information or care.
WOMEC noted that the consequences are far-reaching. Preventable maternal deaths, untreated sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and underdiagnosed conditions such as endometriosis not only affect physical health but also disrupt education, economic opportunities and overall wellbeing.
While many governments have adopted policies aimed at improving reproductive health outcomes, WOMEC stressed that policy commitments must be matched with effective implementation and adequate funding.
The organization is calling for:
• Increased domestic investment in reproductive healthcare.
• Strengthened health systems capable of delivering quality, affordable and confidential services.
• Adolescent and youth-friendly health services that are accessible and stigma-free.
• Expanded screening and early detection programs for cervical cancer and other reproductive health conditions.
• Comprehensive sexuality education that promotes consent, safe practices and informed decision-making.
WOMEC also underscored the critical role of the media in shaping public understanding and influencing policy direction. The organization urged media institutions to provide consistent, evidence-based reporting on sexual and reproductive health issues rather than limiting coverage to awareness days.
“Education must lead to action. “Budget allocations, improved service delivery, and measurable outcomes must follow. These are urgent necessities not optional interventions misinformation and neglect must no longer shape public discourse” the statement emphasized.
On this year’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Day, WOMEC is urging policymakers, healthcare providers, educators, civil society actors and media practitioners to act with urgency and courage.
By Sarah Apenkroh
