The UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction
From 2016 to the present day, HRP continued to build on its history of implementing high-impact research, informing WHO norms and standards, supporting research capacity strengthening in low- and middle-income settings, and facilitating the uptake of innovations and new information – including through digital technologies and the research and development of new medicines and devices. An ethical, human rights–based approach that aims to reduce gender inequalities is integrated throughout our work. Within the United Nations system, HRP is cognizant of its crucial role, which includes its responsibility for the measurement and monitoring of over 20 SRHR indicators for reporting on progress towards multiple SDGs, selected World Health Statistics indicators, and the Indicator and monitoring framework for the Global Strategy for Women’s,
Children’s and Adolescents’ Health (2016–2030).
HRP supports WHO in its role as a custodian, and co-custodian agency for several SDG indicators, particularly in relation to skilled attendance at birth, maternal mortality, violence against women and girls, and ensuring equal access to SRHR. HRP compiles and verifies data as well as metadata, develops and publishes global, regional and national estimates – ensuring that these are internationally comparable, and is also responsible for developing international standards and recommending methodologies for measurement and monitoring. In addition, HRP works with WHO to strengthen the monitoring and reporting capacity of countries.
The evidence collected for SDG indicators is only a fraction of HRP’s research focus on SRH indicators. HRP also compiles country data on caesarean section, antenatal and intrapartum care, birth in health-care facilities, STIs and more. For over 45 years, HRP has been conducting research with international and national partners to improve sexual and reproductive health and to safeguard the human rights of all people everywhere. This research continues to inform key WHO normative guidelines and tools, which can help to improve the health and well-being of women, children and adolescents across the globe. From 2016 until the present day, HRP continued to demonstrate its dedication and quality as a unique research programme, as well as its agility and leadership in addressing the SRHR issues and challenges which the world is facing. This included a total number of 190 systematic reviews published from2016 until today.
The HRP Alliance hubs are research institutions that have been selected to lead and strengthen SRHR research capacity strengthening in their regions. They support institutions that work with HRP in leading and conducting research. In 2019, two new HRP Alliance regional hubs were appointed and their workplans of activities developed for the upcoming year. In addition, 158 partner institutions across the world were supported through building individual-level capacity offered by the hubs. The HRP Alliance supports graduate students from institutions that are part of the network through short courses. Only in 2019, 357 junior and mid-level researchers were trained through courses offered through hubs and grantees, 61% of them female.
