Dr. Julitta Onabanjo has is a transformative force in advancing the sexual and reproductive health rights of women and girls across Africa. As the Regional Director of the UNFPA for East and Southern Africa, her leadership bridges the often-overlooked connection between reproductive health and societal transformation. Her mission is not just to provide services but to dismantle entrenched stigmas and create opportunities for a healthier and more equitable future for African women and girls.
Central to Dr. Onabanjo’s work is tackling the dual challenge of early pregnancies and limited access to reproductive healthcare. She champions the Let’s Talk! campaign, which underscores the systemic failures that lead to teenage pregnancies. The initiative pushes for comprehensive sexuality education and rights-based policies, emphasizing that “when a girl gets pregnant, the system has failed her”.
Under her guidance, UNFPA’s regional initiatives have mobilized governments and civil society to adopt innovative approaches to menstrual health, family planning, and gender equality. Dr. Onabanjo has been pivotal in advancing Africa’s first Menstrual Health Management Symposium, which recognized menstrual health as a human rights issue. This movement spurred the establishment of the African Coalition on Menstrual Health, catalyzing policy changes across multiple nations.
Her advocacy also extends to integrating community-driven solutions. By engaging traditional leaders and grassroots organizations, Dr. Onabanjo has empowered communities to challenge harmful practices like child marriage and female genital mutilation. This work acknowledges the intersection of cultural practices with human rights, fostering change from within.
One of her most impactful contributions has been expanding access to modern contraceptives in underserved areas. Dr. Onabanjo’s initiatives prioritize the inclusion of young women in decision-making processes, recognizing their agency as crucial for sustainable progress. By addressing systemic barriers like poverty, gender-based violence, and educational disparities, she ensures that reproductive health policies meet the real needs of African women.
Dr. Onabanjo’s approach goes beyond advocacy; it is a call to action for governments, international bodies, and private sectors. Her vision aligns reproductive rights with broader development goals, showing how investments in women’s health drive economic growth and social stability.
The results are visible: countries like South Africa and Tanzania are trailblazing with national coalitions that integrate reproductive health into broader health and education systems. These coalitions reflect Dr. Onabanjo’s ability to inspire collaboration across borders and sectors.
Despite significant progress, she acknowledges the challenges ahead. COVID-19, for instance, has exposed vulnerabilities in healthcare systems, disproportionately affecting women’s access to reproductive services. Dr. Onabanjo views this as a reminder of the need for resilience and adaptability in policy implementation.
Dr. Onabanjo’s leadership is a masterclass in the power of sustained advocacy and partnership. Her vision inspires a continent-wide revolution where African women and girls are equipped with the tools and opportunities to lead empowered lives.
For Dr. Onabanjo, the ultimate goal remains clear: to ensure that every African woman and girl can access the rights and resources necessary for a life of dignity, health, and opportunity. As she often states, the journey to reproductive justice is not only a fight for health but a fight for humanity.
