Partnership
SHERO, which stands for Sexual Health Empowerment & Reproductive Outreach, is a new initiative dedicated to advancing sexual and reproductive health specifically for Black women in Lambeth. Launched by The Caribbean & African Health Network (CAHN), and Africa Advocacy Foundation funded by Lambeth Council.
An outreach initiative aimed at advancing knowledge and take up of sexual and reproductive health for Black women in Lambeth. Guided by the rallying slogan “Championing Sexual and Reproductive Health for Black Heritage Women*,” SHERO seeks to empower local communities, reduce health disparities, and create open, inclusive conversations about sexual and reproductive wellness. The initiative is supported by Lambeth Council.
The Caribbean & African Health Network (CAHN) is a Black-led organisation set up to address health inequalities affecting people of Caribbean and African descent in the UK. Working with community groups, faith networks and cross-sector organisations, CAHN leads on strategic engagement to ensure that the voices and experiences of Black people are placed at the heart of public policy and practice.
CAHN’s mission is to eradicate health inequalities within a generation by building community resilience and a social movement.
Africa Advocacy Foundation (AAF) supports and empowers vulnerable and disadvantaged people. We are a community-led initiative that aims to equip diaspora communities and marginalised people with the tools they need to find better health, safety, prosperity, and opportunity to lead fulfilling and happy lives.
AAF works with communities both in the UK and overseas that are affected by a range of issues including sexual and reproductive health, violence against women and girls including Female genital mutilation (FGM), and mental health issues.
The SHERO initiative is supported by Lambeth council as we work together to strengthen our collaboration and our reach to the communities we serve.
Black heritage residents are a large and vibrant part of the community in Lambeth. The borough has the second highest proportion of Black Caribbean residents in the country, after Lewisham. Unfortunately, sexual and reproductive health inequalities among Black African and Black Caribbean persist, particularly in relation to STI testing and treatment, as well as late HIV diagnoses.
In 2024, our Public Health commissioning teams (Sexual Health) undertook engagement sessions and desktop research with Black heritage communities, aged 25-34. Participants told us they want more empowering conversations with professionals and peers who ‘…look like them and who have shared experiences…’. We acted on their feedback and concerns, and SHERO was born.
Through this initiative, we want to empower Black heritage women and their f
amilies to take chage of their overall health, especially sexual and reproductive health, through open conversations, health checks and via network of Community Champions across the Borough.
The initiative is aligned with our Borough Plan: “Good health and wellbeing are fundamental to [Lambeth] leading full and rewarding lives and it is our ambition that [our borough] is a place where people are able and supported to have this.” Link to Borough Plan.
Lambeth a unique place to live, work, learn and do business. and this initiative is part of a wider programme of sexual health services that will service under-represented communities being rolled out in 2025.
Championing Sexual and Reproductive Health for Black Women
About the Outreach initiative
SHERO – Sexual Health Empowerment & Reproductive Outreach, is a new initiative dedicated to advancing sexual and reproductive health specifically for Black women in Lambeth.
Have questions or want to collaborate?
- General Queries connect@shero.London
- Caribbean & African Health Network (CAHN) Queries bunmi@cahn.org.uk or 07774994178
- Africa Advocacy Foundation Queries juddy@africadvocacy.org
- Press Queries natacha@cahn.org.uk
