A results-oriented assessment of Swedish regional cooperation in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in Latin America

Sweden, 2008-2009, Sida

Context analysis of Swedish regional cooperation in sexual and reproductive health and rights in Latin America in order to serve as a basis to identify strategic entry points, key issues, agents of change in Latin America and in Sweden, as well as methods of work for Sweden to be able to continue having a strategic role in Latin America on these issues on a regional level.

Background:

As a result of the Swedish government initiative to concentrate the Swedish development cooperation to a fewer number of countries in Latin America, the regional health programme in Central America was to be phased-out over a three year period. It was foreseen though that the government would present Sida with a mandate to elaborate a new regional strategy for Latin America. The consultants' task was to carry out a thorough context analysis of Swedish regional cooperation in sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Specific objectives were:

1. To identify and analyse results and lessons learned of regional health cooperation in Central America up to date.
2. To assess the feasibility of a broad Swedish strategic SRHR cooperation at regional level under the new circumstances referred to above, and current trends in the area of SRHR in Latin America. The assessment had to particular address sexual rights such as GBV and matters closely associated with maternal- and neonatal health and mortality, i.e. skilled attendance at birth; access to Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (EmONC); access to comprehensive abortion care including safe abortions and the right to sexuality education for youth and adolescents.
3. To identify agents of change and strategic actors in Latin America and in Sweden; analyse their role in influencing policy in the region on SRHR and propose an outline for strategic collaboration with partners. 

The consultants carried out the following activities in order to meet the project objectives:

• Document review
• Interviews with Sida and Swedish embassy staff
• Interviews with PAHO
• Conducted context, trend, risks, and results analysis of documentation collected
• Wrote final report
• Conducted workshop with stakeholders on results