Story by, Paul Mensah Nsor
Accra, Ghana - As the world marks Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Day 2026, Women, Media and Change (WOMEC) is urging governments, policymakers, and stakeholders to take bold and sustained action to address the persistent challenges facing women and young people's health and dignity.
In a statement, Dr. Charity Binka, Executive Director of WOMEC, emphasized that sexual and reproductive health and rights are fundamental human rights, and access to accurate information, quality healthcare should not be negotiated.
Despite global commitments, millions of women and girls continue to face barriers to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, leading to preventable maternal health complications, unsafe practices, and far-reaching social and economic consequences.
WOMEC is calling on governments to move beyond policy rhetoric to effective implementation, including increasing domestic investment in reproductive health, strengthening health systems, and ensuring adolescent- and youth-friendly services are accessible and affordable.
The media is also being urged to play a critical role in driving this agenda, consistently elevating sexual and reproductive health as a national priority, and challenging harmful myths and misinformation.
The statement emphasizes that empowerment begins with knowledge, but it must be matched by action, including policy reform, adequate budgetary allocations, improved service delivery, and measurable outcomes.
WOMEC is calling on policymakers, health professionals, educators, media practitioners, and civil society to act with urgency, courage, and accountability to ensure every woman and girl can make informed choices about her body and access quality healthcare without discrimination.
The era of incremental progress has passed, and collective action is needed to accelerate progress and ensure that every woman and girl can live in dignity.
