Description

Overview

The World Health Organization (WHO) and HRP – the UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction have launched a global public consultation to identify emerging changes that could shape sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) over the next 10 years.

The consultation forms part of a global SRHR foresight and research prioritisation process for 2026–2036. The findings will contribute to a report on the future of SRHR and a corresponding research agenda, expected to be published in 2027.

What Is the Call Looking For?

WHO is seeking “signals” of change: emerging issues, trends, shifts or disruptions that could influence SRHR at community, national, regional or global levels.

Contributions may address areas such as:

• Economic systems and social protection
• Gender inequality, racism and other forms of structural discrimination
• Conflict, forced migration and displacement
• Climate change and environmental degradation
• Demographic and socioeconomic change
• Digital transformation, AI and technological advances
• Urbanisation and widening inequalities
• Education, employment, housing, nutrition and other conditions of daily life
• Laws, rights, governance and accountability
• Health systems, financing, workforce and service delivery
• Media, communication, misinformation and disinformation
• Changes in research funding, capacity, methods, ethics and trust in science

Signals may be well established or newly emerging and do not need to originate within the health sector.

Who Can Participate?

The consultation is open to individuals, organisations and groups worldwide whose experience, expertise or work can provide insights into the future of SRHR.

WHO particularly welcomes contributions from:

• Health workers, professional associations and clinical networks
• Civil society and community organisations
• Youth-led organisations and rights movements
• Governments, parliamentarians and regulators
• Researchers, universities, think tanks and technical experts
• UN agencies and development or humanitarian organisations
• Funders and philanthropic organisations
• Private-sector, technology and innovation organisations
• Media and communications professionals
• Individuals whose lived experience or professional perspective can contribute relevant insights

What Can Be Submitted?

Participants can describe one or more emerging signals that they believe may influence SRHR over the next decade.

Supporting resources, reports, links, examples or other information may also be provided. Formal published evidence is helpful but not required; practice-based experience, early observations and field examples are also welcomed.

How Will Contributions Be Used?

Submissions will be analysed to identify emerging issues and key themes for the SRHR foresight process.

Responses will be confidential and anonymised before analysis, and individual contributions will not be publicly shared or published. Findings will inform the 2027 report on the future of SRHR and corresponding research agenda.

How to Participate

Contributions must be submitted through the online submission form, which is available in English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.

Submission deadline: 30 September 2026