Two years of striving for reproductive justice: The mmoho Sexual and Reproductive Health Helpline Celebrates Two Year Anniversary

This blog was authored by Sesona Buyeye, Communications Coordinator at Ibis Reproductive Health

This week, on World AIDS Day (commemorated each year on December 1), mmoho marked the two-year anniversary of its Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Helpline. The Helpline, which launched on World AIDS Day in 2023, has proven to be a much-needed lifeline for many young South Africans who lack access to evidence-based, stigma-free, and safe SRH services and information.

As we commemorate the Helpline’s second anniversary, we reflect on a journey that has been both challenging and rewarding.

The Helpline was conceived from Ibis Reproductive Health research findings that we could not ignore. Starting in 2022, Ibis researchers surveyed 236 girls aged 12 to 17 in Gauteng, South Africa, to assess their access to and experience with SRH services, including abortion care. Respondents shared that one of the contributing factors to unplanned pregnancy (common in their communities) included inconsistent contraceptive use due to the limited knowledge of functioning and accessibility of contraceptives. Respondents also shared that they had limited knowledge of some provisions of the Choice of Terminations of Pregnancy Act (CTOP Act). Many held the misconception that partner or parental consent is required to access a safe abortion in the formal sector, when in fact the CTOP Act permits girls from the age of 12 to consent to abortion in South Africa.

Alongside the study’s findings was the striking fact that the mmoho Facebook page received a surge of direct messages from young people seeking SRH services during the COVID-19 lockdown. Both the study and these messages showed that young people in South Africa continue to face unmet SRH needs due to persistent barriers, including limited information, community stigma, and fear of judgment from health-care providers. Although the COVID-19 pandemic did not create these barriers, it certainly intensified them. The strict measures enforced during the first wave of lockdowns made it more difficult for young people to access services, some of which persisted even after all COVID-19 restrictions had been lifted. Building on this knowledge, our team identified the urgent need for reliable, accurate, and stigma-free SRH information and services for young people to help address these barriers, using the Helpline as a viable intervention. After launching on 1 December 2023, the Helpline provided referral services to the following SRH services:

• GBV and Sexual Abuse Services • Men’s Reproductive Health Services • Safe and Legal Abortion Services • Pregnancy and Contraceptives • LGBTQI+ Services • HIV and STIs Services • Mental Health Support

In August 2024, we launched professional primary counselling services to support young people with their mental health. This service has supported many young people with post-traumatic relief and referrals to specialised mental health support groups.

For many of our callers, the Helpline has been a lifeline, bridging the information gap that existed for many young people who do not know their reproductive rights under South African law, and cannot access the SRH care that they need.

Critically, the mmoho SRH Helpline is one of the few helplines in South Africa that openly provide referrals for first and second trimester abortions. At a time when abortion is heavily stigmatised, the mmoho SRH Helpline is unapologetically committed to advancing access to abortion care. Where barriers to access exist due to service denial and stigma (especially for young people), the Helpline, along with its referral partners, works to ensure access to safe, high-quality, and non-judgemental SRH services.

Our team has witnessed firsthand the power of creating safe spaces for young people to exercise their rights to access health care in South Africa.

The testimonials below speak to the importance of our commitment to unapologetically provide accurate and stigma-free information and services to young people.

Here are a few reflections from users of the Helpline Anonymous User 1:

Anonymous User 2:

Our Helpline agent and in-house primary counsellor reflects:

Our journey has not been without obstacles. Our agents have been faced with the heartbreaking reality of callers who have waited too long to seek help, often due to fear, stigma, or a lack of information, particularly for abortion care. They encounter the systemic barriers that still prevent them from accessing timely care at health facilities. Yet, as our agent notes, there is “solace in hearing feedback from callers who feel relief after trusting us with their stories and embarking on their journey with us.”

These challenges do not discourage us; they motivate us and remind us that our work is far from finished. Every conversation, every referral, and every moment of non-judgmental support can be life-changing.

As we celebrate two years of the mmoho SRH Helpline, we do so with gratitude for the young people who have trusted us with their stories and to the dedicated agents who show up every day with empathy and expertise. This year’s World AIDS Day reminded us that health is a human right, not a privilege. The mmoho SRH Helpline will continue to honour that principle, one call at a time.

We are raising funds to keep our Helpline open and accessible to every young person who needs support. This vital service connects young people with accurate information and trusted referrals for SRH care, especially abortion services and mental health support.

Many young people rely on the helpline as their only safe space to ask questions, understand their options, and receive non-judgmental support. Your donation will ensure that no young person is left without the information and care they deserve.

If you’d like to donate to sustain the Helpline, please click here.

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