ANSER Conference 2026

In a time of growing global instability, from climate-related disasters to political polarisation and humanitarian crises, the urgency to protect and promote Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) has never been greater.

This is why we are launching the next edition of the ANSER conference in 2026, building on the energy, insights, and partnerships forged during the 2024 edition. The ANSER 2026 Conference brings together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, CSO representatives and private sector actors to foster collaborative action toward safeguarding SRHR as a policy priority.

Registration

The ANSER Conference 2026 is now open.

Please find all the details on the registration here.

Aim of the Conference

The conference seeks to accelerate progress on SRHR by fostering an environment that promotes knowledge exchange, strengthens capacity, and encourages collaboration, with the ultimate goal of ensuring equitable access to SRHR for everyone.

• By sharing emerging data, the conference provides a platform for presenting the latest research findings, evidence, and trends in SRHR, ensuring that decision-making is grounded in up-to-date and context-specific knowledge.
• By supporting capacity development, it aims to strengthen participants’ research skills and their ability to translate evidence into actionable policy recommendations.
• By facilitating meaningful partnerships and joint initiatives, the conference encourages collaboration across disciplines, sectors and regions, fostering innovative, coordinated responses to shared SRHR challenges.
• By offering site visits to Flemish SRHR organisations, the conference enables participants to learn from real-world practices and gather ideas for improving service delivery in their own contexts.
• By linking knowledge generation with policy formulation, the conference drives impact beyond research, shaping stronger SRHR policies and implementation.

Conference themes

1. SRHR in Humanitarian and Climate-Related Crises

   There is an urgent need to safeguard SRHR in contexts of humanitarian emergencies and climate-related disruptions. We invite abstracts that examine how SRHR services and rights can be maintained and advanced in fragile settings, where systems are under strain and populations face heightened vulnerability.

   Key topics include:

   • Continuity of SRHR services and rights during crises, including conflict, displacement, and environmental disasters.
   • Evidence-based interventions that improve SRHR outcomes in emergency settings.
   • SRHR of displaced populations, including refugees, migrants, and internally displaced persons.
   • Data collection, monitoring, and evaluation (M&E) of SRHR programs in humanitarian and climate-affected contexts.
   • SRHR in the context of climate change, including its impact on access, delivery, and health outcomes.
   • Impartiality, equity, and non-discrimination in SRHR service delivery to all affected populations.
   • ...

2. Narratives, power dynamics and the politics of SRHR

   Critical reflection is needed on how SRHR are framed, communicated, and influenced across political, social, and cultural contexts. We welcome abstracts that explore the power structures that shape SRHR discourses and the strategies needed to challenge misinformation, amplify marginalised voices, and promote inclusive, rights-based narratives.

   Key topics include:

   • Countering disinformation and misinformation that undermines SRHR, including digital and media-based strategies.
   • Media and advocacy approaches that shape public perception and mobilise support for SRHR.
   • Political and policy influence on SRHR narratives, including the role of ideology, governance, and global agendas.
   • Stakeholder engagement in shaping SRHR priorities, especially in contested or conservative environments.
   • Decolonisation and intersectionality in SRHR, challenging dominant paradigms and centring diverse lived experiences.
   • Participation and agency of affected communities in SRHR decision-making, policy development, and program design.
   • ...

3. Integration of SRHR in Primary Care and Health Systems

Ensuring that SRHR are meaningfully and effectively embedded within broader health systems to ensure sustainable, equitable, and high-quality care. We invite abstracts that explore how SRHR can be integrated into primary care and universal health coverage (UHC), and how innovations in SRHR service delivery, financing, and workforce development can strengthen those health systems.

Key topics include:

• Integration of SRHR in primary care, including service models and referral systems.
• SRHR within Universal Health Coverage (UHC) frameworks and national health strategies.
• Health system strengthening approaches that support SRHR access and resilience.
• Quality of care and patient-centred approaches, including respectful and rights-based service delivery.
• Technology and innovation in SRHR, such as digital health tools, telemedicine, and AI-driven solutions.
• SRHR financing, including sustainable funding mechanisms and cost-effectiveness.
• Equity and inclusion of vulnerable and marginalised groups, ensuring no one is left behind.
• Cross-sectoral collaboration, linking SRHR with education, social protection, and other sectors.
• Workforce innovations, including training, task-shifting, and support for frontline providers.
• ...

Programme

The ANSER 2026 Conference includes two Scientific Conference Days, focusing on new academic data on SRHR, and one Policy Impact Day bringing together academics, policymakers and other SRHR stakeholders to formulate recommendations for future action.

The Scientific Conference Days will showcase the most recent data and research findings in the field, presented through panel discussions, individual presentation sessions, workshops, and poster presentations selected via a competitive call for abstracts. These sessions will provide an opportunity for researchers to exchange insights, explore innovative methodologies, and foster new collaborations across disciplines and regions.

The Policy Impact Day will shift the focus from evidence generation to evidence use, centring on policy agendas, advocacy priorities, and dialogue between academics, decision-makers, and practitioners. Through interactive sessions and high-level discussions, participants will work together to identify actionable strategies to strengthen SRHR policies and implementation at national, regional, and global levels.

Youth involvement

ANSER is committed to ensuring that the voices of students and early-career professionals are meaningfully represented throughout the conference. We strongly encourage their active participation in sessions, panels, and discussions. To support this, the ANSER Fellows Mentoring Program will once again be organised, offering guidance and networking opportunities for junior participants.

More details on the ANSER Fellows 2026 mentoring programme can be found here.

Call for abstracts

The call for abstracts is now closed. Results of the abstract reviews will be announced to the submitters by the beginning of February 2026.

Partners

The ANSER 2026 Conference is organised with the financial support of:

• International Centre for Reproductive Health (ICRH), Ghent University
• King Baudouin Foundation
• SERA ENLIGHT Thematic Network
• Population Institute

The ANSER 2026 Secretariat consists of:

• Emilie Peeters (Ghent University)
• Lotte Schepers (Ghent University)

The ANSER 2026 Organising Committee consists of:

The ANSER 2026 Scientific Committee consists of: