Background

We are at a critical juncture in time. Whilst sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR)
are increasingly threatened by conservative right-wing politics, multiple crises (humanitarian,
economic, environmental), and persistent race, gender and class-based inequities, rapid
technological advances are creating new opportunities for achieving sexual and reproductive
health and justice. Now more than ever, anthropology can play a critical role in strengthening
sexual and reproductive well-being in the Global South and North by interrogating these
threats, crises, injustices, and technological developments. Anthropologists can help formulate
more meaningful SRHR policies, programmes, and interventions by paying attention to social
rather than individual bodies, examining the moralities at stake and imposed, and exploring
the social lives of technologies. We contend, however, that anthropology’s potential is not fully
realized, because anthropological findings get lost in translation when transitioning into
policies and practices, and because of certain blind spots amongst anthropologists, public
health experts, SRHR practitioners, NGO representatives, policymakers and funders alike. How
can anthropologists collaborate more effectively with other stakeholders in SRHR? This
conference seeks to offer a platform to engage in productive transdisciplinary conversations
to enhance anthropological contributions to SRHR future(s).

Conference Aim/Objectives

We invite, firstly, anthropologists working in academia and SRHR practice to exchange research
or practice-based insights, and discuss challenges and opportunities in transdisciplinary efforts
to foster positive, equitable sexual and reproductive futures in the Global South and North.
Secondly, we also invite NGO representatives, public health experts, and other stakeholders in
SRHR to reflect on their experiences of, and views on, collaborations with anthropologists.
Together, we intend to reflect on and discuss the field of SRHR, in order to:

• Exchange insights into how social bodies, moralities and the social lives of technologies
  matter for SRHR;
• Articulate and address blind spots within the anthropology of sexuality, sexual health
  and reproduction;
• Identify translational and other challenges for transdisciplinary work on SRHR, and
  develop suggestions for improvements;
• Publish an edited volume or special issue based on the conference papers to strengthen
  the SRHR agenda.

Time and Date

3-5 July 2024
University of Amsterdam

Open Call for Abstracts

There is currently a call for abstracts for the conference s for papers or panels that address one or more of these questions.

• Abstracts (300 words) are to be sent to AnthroSRHRConf2024@googlegroups.com by February 15th, 2024.

Registration will open from January 15th, 2024; see their website for updates:
https://www.aanmelder.nl/anthrosrhrconf2024/