IOM’s HIV and SRHR Knows No Borders (KNB) project is part of a regional programme of work on HIV/AIDS and SRHR in Southern Africa (2016-2020). In 2019, MDF Training and Consultancy was commissioned by the donor to conduct an evaluation of the five projects, including KNB, that together comprise the regional programme. The evaluation included contribution analysis and case studies in Mozambique, South Africa and Zambia, three of the six countries where the KNB project is operating.
The goal of the evaluation, applying the standard OECD evaluation criteria, was to assess the extent to which the programme had realised better information and greater freedom of choice, improved access to, and use of, sexual and reproductive health-related commodities and quality health care, and respect for the sexual and reproductive rights of those currently denied.
Overall, the programme was found to be relevant, effective and efficient. The evaluation concluded that the programme has contributed to positive change in two of the three focus areas of the programme: namely, improved information and greater freedom of choice for young people about their sexuality, together with increased access to, and use of, SRH commodities and quality health care.
In terms of successfully promoting the sexual and reproductive rights of those currently deprived, progress has been more limited. At least in part, this is, a reflection of the challenges involved in shifting established socio-cultural practices and norms, including stigma and discrimination, and in influencing relevant legal and policy frameworks.