By John Kariuki
Githunguri Member of Parliament Gathoni Wamuchomba has once again placed Kenya on the continental map after being recognized by Hivos, an international development organization, for her outstanding advocacy in promoting maternal and reproductive health rights across Africa.
In a formal communication from Hivos, Wamuchomba was nominated by Mr. Robert Athewa to serve as the Regional SRHR Champion during the forthcoming Regional Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) strategic meeting scheduled for October 9th and 10th, 2025, in Harare, Zimbabwe.
The high-level convening will bring together key stakeholders from across the East and Southern Africa region to review the SRHR landscape, develop an updated advocacy action plan, and strengthen collaborative efforts to promote sexual and reproductive health with a focus on young people and women.
Hivos lauded Wamuchomba for her steadfast commitment to advancing Heshimu Uzazi, a national campaign calling for respectful maternity care, safety in childbirth, and dignity for all mothers. Through her powerful advocacy, the MP has been vocal in condemning obstetric violence, the detention of mothers in hospitals due to unpaid medical bills, and the mistreatment of women during childbirth.
“Maternal health is a matter of human dignity. No woman should be abused, detained, or humiliated for giving life. Respectful maternity care is not a privilege, it is a right,” Wamuchomba has often stated in her public engagements.
Her advocacy aligns with Hivos’ mission of promoting just, inclusive, and life-sustaining societies where citizens enjoy equal access to health, opportunities, and resources. The organization, through its SRHR Fund, aims to strengthen youth-led civil society efforts across East and Southern Africa in addressing gender inequality, reproductive health, and the intersection between SRHR and HIV.
Wamuchomba’s recognition as a regional SRHR champion reflects not only her influence in Kenya but also her growing stature as a continental voice for women’s dignity and rights in healthcare. Her leadership continues to inspire a new wave of activism aimed at eliminating barriers that undermine maternal health and reproductive justice in Africa.
The two-day summit in Harare will see policymakers, advocates, and civil society leaders develop a unified strategy to advance SRHR, and Wamuchomba’s presence is expected to provide valuable insights drawn from her ongoing campaign against gender-based and institutionalized violence in the health sector.
As Kenya continues to grapple with challenges in maternal care, Wamuchomba’s recognition serves as a reminder that the struggle for respectful, safe, and dignified maternal health remains an urgent national priority, and that strong, compassionate leadership can drive the change needed to restore dignity to mothers across the continent.
