Shaping the African research agenda for gender transformative approaches to sexual and reproductive health and rights: A scoping review taking stock to re-align and move forward

Abstract

Given the imminent threats to gender equality, it is critical to take stock of what is documented in terms of gender transformative approaches supporting sexual and reproductive health and rights across the African continent. This scoping review found 52 articles published between 2012-2022 from PubMed and Scopus. We describe the geographic distribution, terms, the conceptual frameworks and social theories used, program areas, target populations and intervention approaches, as well as study designs and outcomes found. While a substantial body of evidence on gender and sexual and reproductive health and rights across Africa is building, it remains skewed geographically, programmatically, and analytically. More rigorous research is needed about the dynamics of shifting gender power relations undertaken in partnership with social movements and practitioners who can ensure more ownership and accountability for gender justice in sexual and reproductive health and rights in Africa over the long term.