Ahead of the main event, two impactful pre-conference workshops set the stage for deeper discussions. The clinical workshop, titled “Updates on 2nd Trimester Missed Abortion/IUFD Management” engaged Obstetrics and Gynecology residents and consultants from Ethiopia and abroad. It included theoretical discussions and practical sessions at the MICHU Clinic of SPHMMC, offering participants updated knowledge and hands-on experience. Simultaneously, a journalist workshop themed “Your Voice, Their Future: Advocate for Family Planning” brought together media professionals and public relations representatives to discuss Ethiopia’s national reproductive health strategy, the role of journalists in strategic communication for family planning, and insights from the SHaPE2 Project’s media campaigns. The latter was held at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel. These workshops were vital in enhancing the skills and awareness of participants across disciplines.
The conference welcomed over 190 participants, including panelists, speakers, and high-level delegates, with 173 attendees from Ethiopia and others representing South Korea, the United States, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Pakistan, and Kenya. Representatives from international organizations based in Ethiopia further enriched the event with their diverse perspectives.
The program featured an array of activities, including panel discussions, oral scientific presentations, poster sessions, and programmatic experience-sharing. High-level panel discussions included insights from esteemed policymakers, researchers, and global professional leaders, with a keynote address by His Excellency Dr. Ayele Teshome, Ethiopia’s State Minister of Health. The scientific sessions included 19 presentations from scholars worldwide, covering critical topics such as family planning, abortion, infertility, gender equality, and gender-based violence. Additionally, 18 poster sessions sparked engaging discussions and facilitated collaborations among participants. A roundtable discussion highlighted innovative programmatic experiences, including community-based SRHR initiatives for youth, male involvement in family planning through non-scalpel vasectomy programs in Pakistan, and regional collaborations in Eastern, Central, and Southern Africa to strengthen Obstetrics and Gynecology training.
Feedback from a good proportion of attendees underscored the conference’s success, with participants expressing high levels of satisfaction with the organization, content, and logistics. Many praised the relevance of the topics discussed and the valuable opportunities for learning and networking.
The organizers extend their deepest gratitude to the conference’s financial supporters, including the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Center for International Reproductive Health Training (CIRHT), EngenderHealth, Ipas Ethiopia, and the Ethiopian Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ESOG). Their generous support was instrumental in the event’s success. Moreover, technical support was provided by UNFPA Ethiopia, the Population Media Center, the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences, and EngenderHealth.
The 6th Annual Reproductive Health Conference facilitated the exchange of knowledge among practitioners, researchers, and policymakers. This collaborative platform brought together diverse voices and expertise and fostered meaningful dialogue and partnerships, with the shared goal of advancing reproductive health and improving the lives of women and girls in Ethiopia and beyond.
