Gourma: Stakeholders in the "Elle R©ponse" project convened a workshop in Diapangou, Goulmou region, to evaluate the activities carried out in the municipalities of Diabo, Tibga, and Diapangou. This gathering aimed to assess the progress made, recognize effective practices, and formulate strategies to sustain these accomplishments in a challenging security environment.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the project, funded by the Hewlett Foundation and executed by the PANANITUGRI Initiative for Women's Well-being (IPBF) in collaboration with the International Rescue Committee (IRC), seeks to enhance universal and equitable access for women and girls to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. These include family planning, post-abortion care, and support for victims of gender-based violence (GBV).
Local authorities acknowledged the project's influence in advancing SRH service provision to communities, despite ongoing insecurity leading to the closure or limited operation of some health facilities. The workshop participants, consisting of representatives from government technical services, humanitarian partners, civil society organizations, and community stakeholders, engaged in participatory discussions focused on the results achieved and the challenges encountered.
Rakia Diallo, the project's monitoring and evaluation officer, presented the key accomplishments, which include the rehabilitation of safe spaces in Diabo and Diapangou, and the equipping of three youth counseling centers with audiovisual tools. Diallo also noted the training of 26 members of the SRHR Technical Group (GTSSR), drawn from international organizations, NGOs, and local associations, enhancing humanitarian coordination in the area of sexual and reproductive health.
The project successfully conducted 11 of the 12 planned coordination meetings, achieving a completion rate of over 91%. Additionally, the project bolstered the capacities of various key stakeholders, including 41 life and earth sciences (SVT) teachers and youth center facilitators, 45 village midwives from Diabo, Tibga, and Diapangou, as well as community leaders dedicated to promoting sexual and reproductive rights and challenging detrimental social norms.
Community communication campaigns and joint supervision sessions were also organized to improve the quality of SRH services. A SWOT analysis highlighted the project's strengths, such as community ownership and local authority involvement, while also identifying challenges related to insecurity, socio-cultural pressures, and logistical constraints. Recommendations were made to enhance the resilience of the structures and ensure the continuity of interventions.
Participants reaffirmed their commitment to building on the achievements of the "She Responds" project to continue promoting sexual and reproductive health for the benefit of vulnerable populations in the Eastern region.