EQUIPOP Updates

Equipop has launched in January 2018 a new phase of the project "Protecting the Next Generations" in Mali and Burkina Faso. The project's main objective is to improve the sexual and reproductive health and rights of girls and women in the region of Kayes, Mali and Fada Ngourma in Burkina Faso by introducing or reinforcing the dynamics of abandonment of FGM and early marriage by 2020.

Between 2013 and 2016, the project achieved substantial progress in the path for the abandonment of FGM in Kayes.

- 152 villages out of 250 have been reached by the project.148 of them made public declaration of abandonment of FGM.

- 167 000 people reached by behaviour change activities and mobilization events

- 3660 cases of FGM complications treated

- 129 doctors and health professionals trained

- 18 migrants involved in building bridges activities in France

For the new phase (2018-2020), as recommended by the project evaluation, the dynamics of abandonment of FGM and early marriage will be reinforced in Kayes, in the north-west of Mali. There will be a special focus on involvment of youth champions and leaders and advocacy activities to push for adoption of a law against FGM in Mali.

In this phase, the project will be duplicated in Fada Ngourma in the east of Burkina Faso with the implementation of social mobilization activities, medical care for women living with FGM consequences, training of doctors and health professionnals. The building bridges approach between activities will be continued in order to make changes sustainable.

Project partners :

Equipop, Association Malienne pour le Suivi et l'Orientation des Pratiques Traditionnelles (AMSOPT), Mali et SOS Jeunesse & Défis (SOS/JD), Burkina Fasso.

The project is financed by French Development Agency - AF