Sexual & Reproductive Health Committee

If you are passionate about sexual and reproductive health and rights for refugee and migrant communities, join us.

A collection of reproductive health supplies such as birth control pills and condoms

Collaborative Impact
Work alongside dedicated professionals to drive meaningful change in refugee and immigrant healthcare through shared expertise and innovative ideas.
Professional Growth
Enhance your skills and knowledge by contributing to important projects, gaining experience, and learning from peers in the field.
Leadership Opportunities
Take on leadership roles within the committee, influencing the direction of healthcare initiatives and shaping policies that matter.

About the Sexual & Reproductive Health Committee

Learn about our mission, our vision and download the committee charter. Resources and our leadership and members are below.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Sexual & Reproductive Health Committee is to:

Focus on sexual and reproductive health priorities identified by members of the Society of Refugee Healthcare Providers; and
To act as a source of expertise and support for the broader refugee, immigrant and migrant (RIM) health community.

Committee Vision

The vision of the Sexual & Reproductive Health Committee is to create a forum for health professionals serving RIM communities to connect and work towards sexual and reproductive health and rights frameworks through increasing providers’ knowledge and capacity.

Committee Charter

Learn more about our objectives.

Download the Committee Charter

Recommended Resources

General Sexual & Reproductive Health

Curated list of health resources for Afghan communities, including SRH
Reproductive Justice Framework
Repronet: Refugee Women’s Reproductive Health Resources
World Health Organization: Sexual and reproductive health, and gender-based violence
Women’s Refugee Commission: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
Sexual and reproductive health and rights of refugee and migrant women: gynecologists’ and obstetricians’ responsibilities

Contraception

Sexual and Reproductive Health for Afghans – Contraceptive options videos in English and Dari; SRH glossary translated in Dari and Pashto; and birth control methods chart translated in Dari and Pashto
Understanding Effectiveness Laminated Patient Aid – Available in Spanish and English

Cultural Humility

Pregnancy & Birth

Medlineplus
Handouts on pregnancy, what to expect giving birth, how to care for newborn in many languages

Screening

Sexual and Reproductive Health Screening during the Domestic Medical Examination for Newly Arrived Refugees

Developed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Sexual and Reproductive Health Screening Guidance is intended to provide clinicians with best practices for diagnosing STIs in refugees, and describe how to discuss safe sex practices, consent, local laws concerning age of consent for sexual intercourse, contraception and family planning, and standard gynecological care with refugees.

Women’s Wellness

Women’s Wellness from the National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants & Migrants

Encourage Afghan women to take an active role in their preventative healthcare visits by requesting an interpreter, asking questions, and preparing them for what to expect. Includes materials translated into Dari and Pashto.

Afghan Men Supporting Women’s Wellness

Afghan men are often involved in healthcare decisions with their wives or female family members. This version of our materials has been culturally validated to ensure relevance to this audience.

Leadership & Members

Kunga Denzongpa, PhD, MPH
Data and Evaluation Manager
Community-Campus Partnerships for Health

Erin Elszasz, MSN, RN, CNL
Registered Nurse
Refugee Health Program, Baltimore Medical System

Meghan Geary, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
Refugee Clinic Director, Center for Primary Care

Kristin Kohlmann, MScIH, M3
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Brynne Ridgewell, M3
Mercer University School of Medicine

Colleen Payton, PhD MPH CPH MCHES
Associate Professor of Public Health
Moravian University

Parisa Pirooz, MA, JD
Refugee Integration

Diana Ceballos Robles, MD
Post-doctoral Fellow, National Clinician Scholars Program
Clinical Instructor, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University of California San Francisco

Nicholas Rummell, MA
Associate Professor of History
Pellissippi State Community College
ABD Doctoral Candidate in History and Public Health
University of Memphis