Over 80 percent of health facilities in conflict-affected African regions crippled, new report reveals

Launched on August 12, 2026, the report, titled “From Ratification to Reality: Protecting Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights SRHR in Conflict and Fragile Contexts,” highlights that intensifying conflicts threaten peace and severely compromise healthcare systems, leaving pregnant women without critical medical care. Young women are disproportionately affected, with 40 percent vulnerable to sexual violence in conflict and humanitarian settings. Conflict-related sexual violence is pervasive, often used as a weapon of war, and survivors face social stigma and damaged infrastructure, hindering access to medical support for conditions like HIV.

The report recommends that security actors ratify and operationalize the Maputo Protocol to protect women during crises. It emphasizes that sustainable peace requires women’s safety, health, and dignity as foundational pillars of security, making civilian protection a top priority. Key recommendations include closing legal gaps through technical consultations, increased stakeholder participation, domestic financing, and cross-border cooperation.

The report also calls for strategic pressure on governments to allocate transparent budgets for reproductive health and Gende