In this policy brief, we will explore the importance of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in the context of Climate Change Adaptation. We will discuss why the National Adaptation Plan must incorporate SRHR.

Key messages:

• Climate change has direct and indirect implications on sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in multiple ways, the realization of SRHR in the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) is imperative as it may result in dual benefits of improved health outcomes and strengthened community resilience against climate change.
• Overlooking SRHR in climate action policy frameworks will continue to jeopardize health outcomes, particularly for women and girls, and impede efforts to build resilience to climate change impacts and sustainable development.

Recommendations:

• In crafting its first National Adaptation Plan, the Tanzania government should consider taking on board SRHR components. This can be achieved by applying the SRHR lens in vulnerability assessment and gender analysis that will illuminate more on the interlinkage between the two issues.
• There should be a greater alignment between NAP and HNAP to ensure Tanzania's Health system becomes more resilient in the face of the climate crisis.
• Capacity building to policymakers, frontline healthcare providers and other relevant stakeholders such as CSOs, NGOs, FBOs who are working on SRHR initiatives is needed to raise their understanding of the nexus between SRHR and Climate change.