FUNDED PROJECTS

SERA-ETN (SExual and Reproductive heAlth and rights in the European region)

Category: ENLIGHT Thematic Network

University: University of Bern, Ghent University, Uppsala University
Period: 2025-2027

The vision of SERA-ETN is to support a Europe where everyone—regardless of age, gender, location, or socio-economic background—has access to comprehensive, evidence-based, and rights-based sexual and reproductive health information and services. The network positions SRHR not just as a health concern, but as a cornerstone of social justice, gender equality, youth empowerment, and sustainable development.

SERA-ETN directly addresses four of the ENLIGHT flagship domains:

1) Health and well-being:

Universal access to SRHR is the cornerstone of a healthy society and human rights, contributing to improved health, reduced inequality, and long-term societal progress. Yet, across the European Region, SRHR remains under threat, with indicators stagnating or declining and access still uneven both between and within countries.

2) Climate change:

Europe is experiencing temperature increases faster than any other global region, leading to emerging health risks such as heat-related pregnancy complications, neonatal vulnerability, and pediatric heat stress. These climate-related stressors exacerbate existing SRHR inequalities, especially among people in vulnerable situations.

3) Digital revolution and the impact of digitisation:

The lack of routine data collection and stagnation in SRHR indicators point to an urgent need for innovation in how SRHR data is gathered and analysed. The network explores novel digital methods—including mobile apps, digital diaries, and AI-powered tools—to better understand adolescent consent, SRHR service access, and health behaviours.

4) Equity:

Restrictive movements targeting abortion, sexuality education, LGBTI and women’s rights are shrinking the civic space and eroding progress on equality, while financial, practical, and social barriers continue to limit SRHR access for people in vulnerable situations.

Personal highlight:
The SERA-ETN creates a platform for interaction on an area that is foundational for our society, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and connects researchers from different European contexts. The network grant will facilitate exciting meeting places, with a conference, a doctoral course and interactive seminars, to get to know colleagues and students within the ENLIGHT network. I personally look forward to get to know collegues and their work in Tartu, and to deepen our already ongoing collaboration with Ghent University.