Adapting to new technologies for sexual and reproductive health, South Africa

This report examines the linkages between policies on, and implementation of, sexual and reproductive health and rights and information and communication technologies (ICT) in rural and peri-urban spaces in South Africa. A review of sexual and reproductive health and rights policies and ICT policies, and key informant interviews with stakeholders in the health and ICT domain, finds that many stakeholders have a limited conceptualisation of the implementation of sexual and reproductive health and rights. Sexual and reproductive health and rights programming is politically complex and often ambivalent, often ambivalent, so emphasis should be given to less contentious aspects such as maternal health and long-acting contraception. Recent innovations in technology have meant that phones and other ICT devices now perform many diverse functions. The ICT policies reviewed raise health-related and inequity issues and are highly aware of the challenges faced by rural constituencies, yet sexual and reproductive health and rights are not promoted in these policies. There are no policies that address both sexual and reproductive health and rights and ICT. The report highlights four case studies that offer potential to improve public health and health systems and to address social norms through use of ICT. Challenges that face the health sector are echoed in ICT access, with peri-urban and rural areas experiencing poor network coverage, weak satellite signals, insufficient bandwidth and voice capacity due to congestion and demand. The report offers recommendations for how to link the two sectors and enhance sexual and reproductive justice.¹