Kenya is a signatory to a number of international human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which contains the right to health. In addition, the 2010 Constitution of Kenya recognises the highest attainable standard of health as a basic human right. In spite of this, access to quality health services remains a mirage for various population groups in Kenya, particularly in the area of sexual and reproductive health. For a majority of Kenyans, the difficulty in claiming their rights to health and adequate healthcare is due to a lack of proper policy, resources and institutional frameworks.
Since 2006, the German-Kenyan Health Sector Programme has adopted a human rights-based approach. Its objective is to improve equitable access – especially for the poor and marginalised groups comprising those affected by HIV/AIDS – to affordable and good quality healthcare, particularly in the area of reproductive health. The programme works both at national and regional levels. Besides government institutions the programme cooperates with faith-based organisations, non-governmental organisation networks and the private sector in order to ensure better health system outcomes.
The “Promising Practices” series presents development cooperation programs that have implemented elements of a human rights-based approach. The individual publications describe the measures implemented by the project, its impact and lessons learned.
