Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (Sadc PF) secretary general, Boemo Sekgoma, has urged parliamentarians and researchers to strengthen monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems to capture and demonstrate the tangible impact of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) interventions across the region. “This workshop is far more than a routine event on our calendars; it represents a unique confluence of expertise, vision and shared purpose,” she said. “Our convergence is an expression of solidarity and determination, as we seek not merely to increase our technical skills but to reaffirm our common ambition: the pursuit of transformational impact rooted in rigor, innovation, and inclusivity.” Sekgoma reminded participants that results-based management (RBM) must guide the Sadc PF’s interventions and reporting processes.
“RBM is a management strategy by which all actors, contributing directly or indirectly to achieving a set of results, ensure that their processes, products and services contribute to the achievement of desired results,” she said. “The actors in turn use information and evidence on actual results to inform decision-making on programme design, resourcing and delivery, as well as for accountability and reporting.” She noted that Sweden’s continued support demanded rigorous reporting and evidence of impact. “We owe it to our partners and the people of our region to ensure that every story, every indicator, and every piece of evidence reflects progress, accountability, and meaningful change,” she stressed.
The secretary-general urged participants to move beyond conventional numeric indicators and output-tracking, and instead embrace stories of transformation that capture the human impact of SRHR interventions. “The development and documentation of ‘stories of significant change’ is not simply a reporting obligation. “Rather, it is an essential strategic imperative,” she said.
