Table 1 Summary of case studies

Instituting comprehensive sexuality education in schools

Ghana

International funders, academic institutions, local non-governmental organisations (NGOs)

Good multidisciplinary partnerships

Lack of political interest; backlash due to conservative views of programme

Understand the regional context and adapt key programmes and projects to acceptable language, that deliver the same quality but discourage backlash or conflicts with religious and traditional mores

Stages 1, 4 and 5

Establishing a sexual assault care centre

Belgium

Health ministries, teaching hospitals, academic institutions

Extensive background research on subject matter;

multidisciplinary team, including service providers and politicians;

extensive stakeholder engagement in all parts of the programme implementation process

Working with different political priorities and interests; this sometimes posed as a barrier for effective implementation

Sexual and reproductive health and rights researchers should create strong communication channels between themselves, policy-makers and other relevant actors to ensure that they are accessible and can be easily reached; this approach fosters dialogue and is strategic for promoting translation of research findings and outcomes into policies

Stages 0, 1, 4 and 5

Providing comprehensive care to gender-based violence survivors

Kenya

Ministry of Health, local NGOs, national hospitals and staff, international NGO and funders

Long-term partnerships with stakeholders;

recognition as expert in the field; community engagement

Lack of resources and initial expertise or political interest

Sustained multi-stakeholder engagement was necessary over a long period for the development of trust, this enhanced the implementation of the project

Stages 1, 4 and 5