Academic Network for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Policy

About

Mission, Vision & Objectives

Mission:

ANSER is an international academic network committed to building a strong evidence base to inform and shape SRHR policies.  By fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders, ANSER bridges the gap between science and policy through research, policy engagement, and training. 

Vision:

ANSER envisions a world where researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders collaborate seamlessly, leveraging their collective knowledge and skills to ensure evidence-informed sexual and reproductive health policies that enhance lives across diverse contexts.

Objectives:

  • Improve the knowledge of academics & policymakers on the importance and the development of evidence-informed SRHR policies
  • Increase SRHR research outputs that are directly relevant and accessible to policymakers
  • Expand opportunities for interactions between SRHR stakeholders, especially academics and policymakers

Thematic Focus & Approach

Thematic focus:

ANSER takes on a comprehensive approach to SRHR policies, including topics such as maternal health, contraception and family planning, safe abortion, SRHR of vulnerable groups, HIV and STIs, sexual health and wellbeing, gender rights & gender-based violence and SRHR monitoring & evaluation.

ANSER currently operates through four dedicated working groups:

  1. SRHR & climate change
  2. Restrictive laws and increased SRHR opposition
  3. SRHR in a migration context
  4. SRHR innovations in the health system

Approach:

  • Collaboration is key
  • A comprehensive approach to SRHR
  • Think global, act local

History of the Network

In September 2015, 193 governments formally adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In response, governments worldwide were tasked with developing and implementing new policies to achieve these ambitious goals. Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) sat at the intersection of SDG3 (ensuring healthy lives), SDG5 (achieving gender equality), and SDG10 (reducing inequalities), while also contributing directly to many other goals. Consequently, SRHR held a central position in these new policies.

The development of these policies required a robust evidence base to ensure their adequacy and effectiveness. Furthermore, their successful implementation depended on reliable monitoring and follow-up by trained professionals with the necessary expertise. Regular knowledge exchange and the sharing of experiences among diverse stakeholders—especially academics and policymakers—and across countries was therefore seen as crucial for refining approaches and enhancing policies.

To address these needs, Ghent University established the Academic Network for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Policy, as one of the university's International Thematic Networks (ITNs) in December 2016. At its inception, the network comprised 16 members. Its primary aim is to build a strong evidence base to inform and shape SRHR policies. The network fosters collaboration to generate and disseminate knowledge that supports evidence-based decision-making by bringing together researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders. Through its work, the network seeks to bridge the gap between research and policy, ensuring that SRHR policies are grounded in science and adapted to the diverse contexts in which they are implemented.

Structure

ANSER Secretariat

ICRH (Ghent University) acts as the central coordinator to support members in setting up collaborations, steer the direction of the network, and implement and coordinate the activities and planning. The secretariat is composed of:

  • Prof. Olivier Degomme, ANSER Director 
  • Emilie Peeters, ANSER Coordinator 
  • Fiorella Farje de la Torre, ANSER Research Officer 

General Assembly

All ANSER member institutions come together in an annual meeting that approves financial reports, observes general outputs of the network, and identifies and reports on priority activities to keep on track with the planned outcomes. All individuals from an ANSER member institution are welcome to attend the General Assembly meeting.

Management Committee

The ANSER Management Committee is composed of:

  • Prof. Elin Larsson (Karolinska Institutet, Sweden)
  • Simukai Shamu (Foundation for Professional Development, South Africa)
  • Prof. Sonia Dias (Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Portugal)
  • Prof. Tammary Esho (University of Nairobi, Kenya)
  • James Munyao Kingoo (PhD representative, The Technical University of Kenya)
  • Prof. Olivier Degomme (ICRH, Ghent University, Belgium)
  • Emilie Peeters (ICRH, Ghent University, Belgium)

Members

ANSER consists of two types of members:

  • Full members: academic institutions with an interest in SRHR policies
  • Associated members: non-profit organizations involved in SRHR policy work with an interest in research

A full list of the members can be found here. 

Stakeholder Meetings

Each year, ANSER organises a meeting bringing together its members and a diverse range of SRHR non-academic stakeholders. The meeting serves two key purposes:

  • To share recent evidence generated by ANSER with non-academic stakeholders
  • To gather insights from stakeholders on the evidence needs they identify based on their perspectives and daily work. 

The input from stakeholders, combined with the expertise of ANSER members, helps shape ANSER's research agenda.