Nabreesa Murphy

Youth sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and climate-related disaster risk reduction in the Pacific

Nabreesa 2023

Thesis title

Youth sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and climate-related disaster risk reduction in the Pacific

Description of PhD Project

Nabreesa’s PhD research explores how the increasingly complex disaster landscape of the Pacific affects the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of Pacific youth. Youth in the Pacific experience multiple challenges to fulfilment of their SRHR in non-disaster settings. This includes gender inequity, stigmas and taboos around youth sexuality, and limited engagement of youth at policy level. Recent global events have highlighted how existing structural and systemic challenges are exacerbated in disaster contexts, disproportionately affecting the health and rights of people who already face inequities. As the Pacific region is experiencing increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters, this research uses qualitative and participatory methods to explore and understand the implications for Pacific youth SRHR.

Supervisors

  • Associate Professor Meghan Bohren
  • Associate Professor Peter Azzopardi
  • Professor Kathryn Bowen

Biography

Nabreesa is passionate about addressing inequities at the intersections of gender, health, and human rights. She worked as an emergency medicine doctor in the UK before doing a Master of Public Health, after which her work has focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights. Nabreesa has experience working in community organisations within Victoria on SRHR issues such as health promotion and provision of support for women living with HIV, and conducting awareness and training on gender equity and prevention of violence against women. Prior to starting the PhD Nabreesa worked with the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), where she contributed to global SRHR policy advocacy, and supported the Pacific Member Associations with funding proposals and donor reporting requirements.

Funding/scholarships

  • Human Rights Scholarship