Abstract
Reproductive health and sexual rights are critical aspects of human wellbeing, yet cultural and religious beliefs often shape attitudes and behaviors related to these issues in Africa. The author explores the complex interplay between cultural and religious influences on reproductive health and sexual rights in Africa, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities for promoting these rights. Through a mixed-methods approach the author examines the impact of cultural and religious factors on access to reproductive healthcare, contraceptive use, abortion, and sexual orientation, also listing a few international conferences and gatherings that established duties and accountability for national governments with regard to upholding, preserving, and advancing women’s reproductive and sexual rights. The findings reveal that cultural and religious beliefs can both facilitate and hinder the exercise of reproductive health and sexual rights, with significant implications for policy and programming. This article contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between culture, religion, and reproductive health and sexual rights in Africa, informing strategies to promote these rights and improve health outcomes.