I never thought I would write about health financing or even be interested in it. I’ve always been more of a health promotion and health communications babe, but in the past few weeks, I’ve been thinking a lot about the funding decline especially the global shifts in financing in the SRH sector and its far-reaching effects.
Globally, we’ve seen significant reductions in funding for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) programs, and the impact has been devastating, not just in terms of lost jobs within the sector but more importantly, in the negative effects on women’s health, particularly for adolescent girls, young women, and older women who rely on these services. Think about the tangible, life-altering consequences for access to contraception, maternal health services, and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) programs.
This raises an important question:
How can we develop more sustainable SRH programs and initiatives that are less dependent on donor aid and external funding? Heavy reliance
As someone passionate about women’s health, adolescent health, and reproductive rights, I decided to do some reading and research about this issue, and here are some potential solutions and alternative funding models that could help shift the narrative and secure long-term sustainability for SRH programs.
1. Strengthening Domestic Resource Mobilization
For too long, many low- and middle-income countries have depended heavily on international donor funding for SRH programs. But as external funding continues to decline, governments must take ownership of reproductive health financing.
- Integrating SRH into national health budgets can ensure that reproductive health services don’t get deprioritized when donor funding fluctuates.
- Expanding health insurance schemes to cover family planning and SRH services can make access more affordable and sustainable.
- Governments should explore “sin taxes” (e.g., on tobacco or alcohol) to fund SRH programs, similar to how some countries fund universal health coverage (UHC).
For example: Kenya recently introduced a national budget line for family planning, ensuring dedicated funding that is not donor-dependent.
2. Social Enterprises & Market-Based Approaches
Traditional funding models are failing, but social enterprises (businesses that generate profit while solving social issues) are filling the gap.
- SRH organizations can sell affordable contraceptives, menstrual health products, or maternal health services to subsidize free services for underserved communities.
- Partnering with corporations and the private sector can create new funding streams for SRH initiatives.
- Developing subscription-based models for contraceptive delivery could generate recurring revenue.
Example: Organizations like Marie Stopes International have successfully used a sliding-scale pricing model where those who can pay for SRH services help offset costs for low-income clients.
3. Leveraging Digital Crowdfunding & Community Giving
With social media and fintech innovations, grassroots movements can raise funds directly from the public instead of relying on major donors.
- Platforms like GoFundMe, GlobalGiving, and Kickstarter allow people to contribute small amounts toward SRH initiatives.
- Community-driven solutions like “health savings clubs” or microfinance programs can enable local ownership of SRH service financing.
4. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) & Impact Investing
The private sector has untapped potential to drive SRH sustainability. Instead of treating reproductive health as a donor-funded issue, we should position it as an investment opportunity.
- Impact investors and venture capitalists are increasingly funding social enterprises with health outcomes.
- Governments and NGOs can partner with pharmaceutical companies, tech firms, and mobile money providers to expand SRH services.
- PPPs can help scale up family planning initiatives, supply chains, and community health programs sustainably.
5. Building Local Philanthropy & Community-Led Funding
SRH financing should not only depend on international donors. We must also cultivate domestic philanthropists, high-net-worth individuals, and community donors to contribute to SRH programs.
- Encouraging local corporate social responsibility (CSR) investments in SRH.
- Mobilizing diaspora funding for reproductive health services.
- Strengthening faith-based initiatives that support maternal and reproductive health.
Example: Nigeria’s Tony Elumelu Foundation has funded health and gender initiatives, demonstrating the potential of local philanthropy.
Final Thoughts
The world is changing, and so must the way we fund sexual and reproductive health services. While donor funding has played a vital role in expanding access to contraception, maternal care, and reproductive rights, it is not a sustainable model for the future.
If we want to protect SRH services from political and economic shifts, we need bold, innovative, and locally-driven solutions.
Over to you: What are your thoughts on financing SRH services beyond donor dependency? Have you seen successful models in your community? Let’s discuss in the comments.
