African stakeholders unite in Nairobi to champion women’s health rights and equitable access to quality care

A cross-section of stakeholders from women’s health organizations, advocacy groups, and private sector partners have pledged to strengthen collaboration in advancing women’s health rights across Africa.

The commitment was made during a high-level meeting convened by the Coalition of Women Health Rights (COWHA) at PrideInn Blue Azure Hotel in Nairobi, bringing together policymakers, development partners, and gender advocates to address persistent inequalities in healthcare.

Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, who also serves as the African Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Champion, urged leaders to treat women’s health as a shared societal responsibility.

“Women’s health is not just a women’s issue it’s a national matter that demands collective effort. Every woman deserves safe, respectful, and accessible healthcare,” said Wamuchomba.

COWHA, recognized as Africa’s first private-sector-driven coalition promoting women’s health, seeks to unite partners through advocacy, knowledge sharing, and joint action. The coalition’s mission is to ensure that every woman and girl across the continent enjoys equitable healthcare and holistic wellbeing.

Discussions during the forum focused on reducing maternal mortality, tackling reproductive health stigma, improving access to rural health facilities, and strengthening policies that safeguard women’s reproductive rights.

Lucy Mwikali, a reproductive health advocate from Machakos County, shared how COWHA’s programs have transformed lives in her community.

“Through COWHA’s outreach, many young women in our county now understand their reproductive rights and can access better maternal health services,” she said.

By the end of the meeting, stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to partnership-driven solutions between civil society, private entities, and governments to eliminate barriers to women’s healthcare.

The session concluded with a joint declaration to advance policies that ensure women and girls across Africa live healthier, empowered, and dignified lives.