UKZN Academic Appointed to International Scientific and Technical Advisory Group on Human Reproduction Research at WHO

University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Professor Kaymarlin Govender was recently appointed to the Scientific and Technical Advisory Group (STAG) of the UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP).

The three-year appointment (2027-2029) is significant international recognition of Govender’s long-standing contribution to behavioural science, health systems, health policy HIV/AIDS, sexual and reproductive health research.

Govender is Research Director at UKZN’s Health Economics and HIV/AIDS Research Division (HEARD) in the College of Law and Management Studies. He has worked as a researcher and technical adviser in health programming in sub-Saharan Africa for more than two decades providing support to governments, NGOs, multi-lateral agencies, and advocacy organisations on HIV and sexual and reproductive health and rights.

In his new role, Govender will contribute to the review of HRP’s scientific and technical work, advise on research priorities and approaches, and assess the quality, relevance and potential impact of the Programme’s activities.

He views the appointment as an opportunity to ensure that global research agendas remain responsive to the realities of communities in low- and middle-income countries, including those across Africa.

“I hope to bring a constructive and context-sensitive perspective to this work, informed by the realities of South Africa and the wider African region,” said Govender.

He believes that scientific excellence must be accompanied by a strong focus on equity, affordability, implementation and the capacity of health systems to deliver services in real-world settings.

“Research priorities must reflect the lived experiences of communities affected by poverty, gender inequality, stigma, violence and limited resources,” Govender explained. “I also hope to strengthen the recognition of evidence produced in low- and middle-income countries, including Africa, where researchers and communities have valuable knowledge and experience to share with the world.”

Govender’s research has consistently examined the complex relationship between health, society and development. His work spans the social and behavioural dimensions of HIV and AIDS, young people’s health, sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender and social vulnerability, as well as the functioning of health systems.

HEARD describes its broader mission as advancing health equity in Africa.

Govender’s approach is informed by the need to look beyond whether an intervention works and to consider whether it is affordable, cost-effective, sustainable and capable of being delivered through existing health systems.

“This appointment reflects the strength, credibility and international relevance of our scholarship at HEARD and UKZN,” Govender said. “African researchers and universities have an important role to play in shaping global research agendas, not only in implementing priorities developed elsewhere.”

Govender hopes to use the platform to build relationships with universities, multilateral organisations, governments and civil-society organisations working across health financing, HIV, sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence, adolescent health, implementation research and health-service evaluation.

He also hopes the appointment will create opportunities for joint grant applications, collaborative publications, postgraduate supervision, researcher exchanges, workshops and policy dialogues, while supporting the development of early-career researchers at HEARD and across UKZN.

Govender’s extensive engagement with international health and development partners has previously included work with organisations such as UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, the CDC, the Global Fund and the Wellcome Trust. His research has also contributed to regional conversations on sexual and reproductive health and rights among young people, including research conducted across five African countries.

Outlining what he hopes to achieve during his three-year term, Govender said success would mean contributing to a research agenda that is scientifically rigorous, relevant to low- and middle-income countries, informed by African evidence, sensitive to gender and human rights, and capable of influencing policy and practice.

“Research should not end with publication,” he said. “It should help decision-makers allocate resources more fairly, improve the quality of care and advance everyone’s right to the highest attainable standard of sexual and reproductive health.”

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Law and Management Studies, Professor Ernest Khalema congratulated Govender on his appointment and said it demonstrates the growing influence of African scholarship in international health research and reinforces the University’s commitment to research that addresses complex societal challenges while translating knowledge into meaningful policy and practice.

Words: NdabaOnline

Photograph: Supplied