Prisca,* a 22-year-old young woman who lives in Chiredzi Rural, Zambia, has faced a harrowing ordeal. One night, while asleep in a room with two toddlers, an unknown man broke into her family home. What followed was a terrifying struggle for survival.

It was time to leave for the hospital. Samueline Razafindravao had intended to give birth at her home in southern Madagascar, but after encountering difficulties, decided to go to her local health centre.

In the past 20 years, progress has been made towards universal sexual and reproductive health and rights in the East and Southern Africa region. However, millions still lack universal access to comprehensive SRHR.