Evaluation of the Guttmacher Institute programme on the use of SRHR evidence to inform action (2015–2018)

Main evaluation method: mixed-methods, synthesis analysis, literature review.

Positives:  Across Zambia and South Sudan, Sida-supported interventions generated tangible benefits for poor populations, including improved incomes, food security, and access to essential services. In Zambia, interventions performed better as the systems are relatively stable while in South Sudan contributions have helped sustain basic services under extreme and fragile conditions.

Shortcomings: The impact results from Sida’s work were uneven and remained limited in scale and transformative impact. Impact measures were often constrained by underuse of existing evidence in contribution designs and weak evaluability. Heavy reliance on partner-reported data, limited triangulation, and insufficient use of national data systems further created a verification gap and constrained deeper analysis.

Health is one of the seven priorities for the Swedish Government and Sida, where sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and health system strengthening (HSS) are priorities. Investments in health are critical to achieving the ustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to fulfilling the global commitments of Agenda 2030. The world’s global health has improved tremendously in the last century, but progress has stagnated and even regressed in recent years. Armed conflicts and climate change are important factors for these setbacks. Inequalities between women and men are linked to many challenges within global health, such as SRHR, but inequities between and within countries are also pushing progress further away from the SDGs. In 2025, Sida disbursed approximately SEK 1.9 billion on health, including SRHR, which represents almost 8.4 per cent of Sida’s total development support. This calculation does not include research around health, nor humanitarian support.