This week, 25 leading experts from civil society, research institutions, academia, and the private sector convened in Nakuru for a high-stakes SMART Advocacy Training led by the Coalition for Health Research and Development (CHReaD).

Samuel Makau, the CHReaDCoalition coordinator, said, ” The time for smart advocacy for Africa is now given the changing times.” Makau asserted, that civil society organizations should continue advocacy so long as they work together and co-create projects that are inclusive.

Additionally, Imali Ngusale, the Lead strategist from the African Center for Health, Climate and Gender Justice Alliance (ACHCGA) echoed the same sentiments, citing that Health non-profit organizations need to re-think out of the box and implement projects that focus on increasing domestic funding for research and development.

It is estimated that the United States of America has cut funding of approximately $60 billion in overall foreign aid, and a significant portion of this is from health programs in Africa. It is, therefore, likely that projects tackling diseases like malaria and AIDS and potentially disrupting HIV treatment and prevention programs. 

It is perhaps for this reason why Shirley Sabrina from WEMA Africa believes that SMART advocacy is a necessary tool for achieving health change objectives.” In her view, decision-makers must prioritize health and fund sustainable solutions for future generations.

While many health practitioners may not yet be fully acquainted with the principles of SMART Advocacy, Gloria Gatuuru of WACI Health believes it holds immense potential. She insists that there is a high possibility that health advocates and workers will benefit from it,  because it enables a deeper introspection on Africa’s health future.

Accordingly, Mwanaisha Aura from the Access to Medicines Platform (META Health) said,” Smart advocacy is about strategy, evidence, and targeted engagement with relevant stakeholders.” Aura believes that advocacy must be intentional, guided by data-driven strategies and engagement with key decision-makers to drive meaningful change.

As Africa faces shrinking health budgets, the path forward remains uncertain. But one thing is undeniable, health advocacy is evolving, and those who embrace SMART strategies will captain the future of healthcare on the continent.

“The research findings are compelling,” said Chiagozie Udeh, a representative from UNFPA Geneva, during the training. “They demonstrate a clear link between SRHR and climate change, with the specific intersectionality varying significantly across different countries. Climate change and SRHR are undeniably intertwined, with the specific challenges women face varying greatly depending on where they live.”

This “intersectionality,” as Udeh termed it, was further emphasized by Emmanuel Lekishon, one of the Directors of the Centre for Climate Action, who pointed to the plight of young girls and women in Narok County, Kenya.

“Girls and young women, particularly those from Narok County face unique challenges due to the interplay of climate change and gender inequality,” noted Lekishon while presenting the disproportionality of climate shocks.

Additionally, Dr. Samwel Wakibi a public health researcher and regional expert from the University of Nairobi highlighted that the recent climate shocks in Kenya have made it challenging for women to access reproductive health services.
Dr. Wakibi said that pre-existing gender norms coupled with unfavorable climate change further tilted the  socio-economic marginalization imbalances  while exacerbating gender inequalities.

Speaking on the same issue, Angela Baschiera said, “Women are disproportionately impacted by climate change. There is a rich body of resources that women have poorer access to resources that could help with the adaptation such as land title, irrigation, and financial assets.”

Currently, only 37% of 160 countries recognize that women and men have equal rights to own and control land. The most impacted population should be the cost involved in creating solutions.

The training further underscored the critical role of gender equality in achieving the vision of human-centered sustainable development outlined by the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action (ICPD PoA).

The training also identified specific “hotspots” within Kenya, areas most vulnerable to the combined threats of climate change and gender inequality. Armed with this knowledge, future efforts to adapt could be designed to ensure no woman or girl is left behind in the fight for a brighter tomorrow.

Despite facing regional and international instability, Kenya leaped foward, receiving nearly USD $600 million in UN support throughout 2023. This funding proved instrumental in tackling unprecedented challenges like the El Niño floods, where over 450,000 people received life-saving assistance. The UN also partnered with the Government of Kenya during food shortages, with nearly 10 million benefiting from vital food programs and malnutrition initiatives.

Beyond immediate needs, the UN-Kenya partnership yielded long-term benefits which will hopefully be realized in the course of 2024.

Notably, Kenya co-hosted a pivotal Africa Climate Summit, resulting in the impactful “Nairobi Declaration,” which is now a roadmap for tackling climate change. Similarly, UN support for the Youth Connekt Africa Summit underscored a shared vision that is inclusive of Africa’s young population.

Additionally, Kenya is also breaking new ground with the world’s first Development Impact Bond for adolescent health. This innovative program has already empowered over 82,000 young girls with sexual and reproductive health services, and has potential to impact over half a million in the long run.

Challenges and Shifting Landscapes

Kenya’s growth trajectory towards middle-income status presents a unique opportunity to analyze the decoupling of traditional Official Development Assistance (ODA) from long-term development. Despite positive economic indicators, the decline in ODA raises concerns about its potential impact on sustaining growth.

UN Resident Coordinator Dr. Stephen Jackson acknowledges this shift as a potential game-changer for Kenya’s development path. However, he underscores the importance of a unified approach, stating, “While celebrating progress, a unified approach is crucial.

Markedly a significant fraction of the 2023 UN budget for Kenya was directed towards achieving the UN’s goal of ending hunger (SDG 2) (Zero Hunger). This highlights the potential threat that food security, particularly in the context of ongoing climate change, poses to Kenya’s projected progress.

Dr. Jackson also acknowledged of a possibility of diminishing funding stating, “Not as much co-funding trickles down from New York,” but,  reassured that there is a possibility for the new development in Kenya to be realized through joint programming.”

Apart from monetary aid uncertainties, Kenya faces additional challenges. In a video presentation, Dr. Medhin Tsehaiu of UNAIDs, highlighted the “triple effect” – interlocking vulnerabilities faced by Kenyan girls and young women during crises. This challenge translates to increased economic insecurity (poverty), heightened risk of HIV/AIDS acquisition, and a surge in gender-based violence (GBV). These issues could  further complicate Kenya’s development journey.

A Model for Collaboration

The UN’s continued commitment to Kenya, through multi-stakeholder partnerships, embodies the “no one is left behind” principle. This collaborative approach aligns with the economic ideal of inclusive growth. Interestingly, a Finnish representative highlighted Kenya’s potential as a “fantastic laboratory for development,” recognizing its progress as a model for other developing economies.

However, the Kenyan-UN partnership must adapt to Kenya’s changing needs. As the nation transitions to a middle-income economy by 2026, resource allocation will likely shift. The nature of the partnership itself may need to evolve to prioritize different aspects of the UN Sustainable development cooperation framework for Kenya 2022-2026.