About the Learning Network for Health and Human Rights network

The Learning Network for Health and Human Rights is a network that grew out of a research project in 2008, based in the Health Sciences Faculty at the University of Cape Town at the School of Public Health and Family Medicine. It is a collection of 5 civil society organisations (The Women's Circle, Ikamva Labantu, Epilepsy South Africa, The Women on Farms Project and the Cape Metro Health Forum) as well as 3 higher education institutions (UCT, UWC and Maastricht University, in the Netherlands).

The network collaborates to explore how collective action and reflection can identify best practice with regard to using human rights to advance health issues. The work of the Learning Network seeks to operationalise the right to health as stated in South Africa’s Constitution and other international treaties and agreements. This is accomplished through a programme in which research, training and advocacy are linked to empower organisations and their members to assert rights for health.