The Ahaki Podcast

Dr. Peter Igogo, a seasoned medical practitioner, shed light on the complex intersection of law and medicine, particularly in the realm of Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services in Kenya. Drawing from his two decades of experience in the country, Dr. Igogo highlighted the challenges faced by healthcare providers and patients alike. He emphasized the need for legislators to gain firsthand insights into the realities of SRHR issues by visiting communities and witnessing the experiences of victims and medical professionals. This firsthand exposure would enable policymakers to craft informed and effective legislation. Dr. Igogo also stressed the importance of training and sensitizing young health professionals to equip them with the knowledge and skills to provide comprehensive SRHR services. He shared inspiring success stories resulting from the collaboration between the legal support network and medical practitioners in Kenya. However, Dr. Igogo expressed concern over the strong opposition to SRHR services, which ultimately harms those who rely on them. He remains hopeful for the future, believing that with continued advocacy and collaboration, significant progress can be made in advancing reproductive health and rights in Kenya.

Dr. Kangaude, a prominent figure in Malawi's reproductive health landscape, shares insights on the strategies CSOs are employing to advance reproductive justice in Malawi. He emphasizes the critical role of advocacy in raising awareness, influencing policy, and challenging discriminatory laws. Collaboration between African countries, he argues, is essential to share experiences, strengthen regional networks, and amplify collective voices. Dr. Kangaude also discusses the numerous challenges CSOs face and the Nyale Institute's implementation of innovative strategies to overcome these obstacles. The episode highlights the success stories and impactful cases championed by Nyale Institute, demonstrating the power of strategic interventions and unwavering commitment to reproductive justice in Africa

In this episode, we host Chirisa Isheanesu, the Executive Director of Women and The Law in Southern Africa (WLSA). Chirisa delves into the complexities of reproductive justice in Zimbabwe, highlighting the significant barriers women face in accessing essential reproductive health services. She discusses the groundbreaking work of WLSA in challenging these barriers and advocating for women's rights. Drawing on her own experiences, Chirisa shares valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of litigating reproductive justice cases in Zimbabwe. She also emphasizes the importance of South-to-South knowledge exchange in strengthening regional efforts to advance reproductive justice.

In this episode, Khanyisa Mapipa, a seasoned human rights lawyer from South Africa, shares her invaluable experiences and insights on the challenges and triumphs of litigating reproductive justice in her country. Mapipa delved into the complexities of navigating a legal landscape that, while progressive on paper, often presents significant barriers to accessing reproductive healthcare. She highlights the persistent challenges faced by women, including the stigma surrounding reproductive health and the need to capacitate judges on reproductive rights issues to ensure they make informed decisions based on evidence and human rights principles.

This episode offers a rare opportunity to hear from a judge, Justice Mandala Mambulasa. A distinguished judge of the High Court of Malawi, Justice Mambulasa brings a unique perspective, sharing his experiences and insights on the challenges and opportunities of litigating reproductive justice in Southern Africa, leveraging Malawi's landscape. He also explores the critical role of the judiciary in advancing reproductive justice, the impact of societal norms, and the potential of South-South knowledge exchange to strengthen regional efforts towards realising Reproductive Justice in Africa.