CECA’s Role in Sexual and Reproductive Health Research
By Sheila Desai
Since its inception, CECA has leveraged research in our efforts to ensure universal access to contraception, as part of a broader vision to achieve sexual and reproductive health equity (SRHE). We cultivate, implement, and advance research efforts and partnerships that are responsive and aligned with the principles of SRHE; this is pivotal in shaping frameworks, strategies, and recommendations that can advance equitable policy and practice changes. As conveners, subject matter experts, and committed partners, CECA plays a unique role in fostering innovative, equity-informed sexual and reproductive health (SRH) research. To help clarify this role and our underlying principles, we offer the following overview of how CECA works to advance values-aligned research.
How does CECA contribute to SRH research?
We synthesize and amplify existing and emerging evidence on contraceptive access, examine the implications of the existing evidence, and identify gaps by conducting environmental scans and convening Technical Expert Panels, Lived Experience Panels, and Listening Sessions.
We foster and advance opportunities to develop innovative, responsive SRH research by identifying, updating, and tracking implementation of key research priorities and needs that reflect and respond to the current policy context. We also contribute subject matter expertise to bolster research and coalition efforts across the sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice field.
We convene and collaborate with researchers, policymakers, and other partners to plan and conduct research to advance contraceptive access, sexual and reproductive wellbeing, and SRHE by contributing to new research and/or approaches to research, with an eye toward advancing policy-relevant efforts and engaging key stakeholders. We also facilitate connection and collaboration across diverse research, advocacy, and community experts to foster unique partnerships and generate needed, innovative research.
We integrate research into policy and practice by developing and disseminating research outputs, including recommendations, guidelines, and strategies, that are feasible, responsive, and sustainable. We also advance efforts to translate evidence into equitable policy and practice changes, informed by principles of SRHE.
We cultivate and disseminate knowledge through ongoing information exchanges by convening workgroups and other collaborative spaces, publishing research findings and innovative approaches, and presenting our work to the field and broader public.
How does CECA implement equity-informed research?
In addition to CECA’s contributions to research design, implementation, and translation, we know that the conduct of research is just as significant as its content. With our partners, we have identified equity informed principles as key to centering reproductive justice, human rights and SRHE in contraceptive access research. As CECA continues to expand its contributions to and collaborations across SRH research, we remain committed to advancing these principles in all our research efforts as well as the work of our colleagues and funders.