Moderator: Ms. Aissata Fall, regional representative for West and Central Africa, PRB
Panelists:
- Ms. Sorofing Traoré, UCPO/FP2030 youth focal point, Mali.
- Dr. Alice Ndjoka, assistant director, National Reproductive Health Program at the Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene, and Prevention, the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- Ms. Aminatou Sar, director of West Africa Hub and Senegal Office, PATH.
- Dr. Bwato N’sindi, technical specialist (MH/RHCS), head of Sexual and Reproductive Health Unit, UNFPA, Togo.
During this session, participants discussed policy recommendations regarding the unique needs of youth and the availability of a full range of contraceptives. The panelists (Ministries of Health, youth organizations, and TFPs) shared notable progress, such as approval of the values and sexual health education program in Togo, promotion by DRC authorities of “youth-friendly” spaces in health facilities and the community, and inclusion of youth contraception use in the reproductive health laws of their respective countries (DRC, Mali, Senegal, and Togo). However, this legal context remains insufficient or is subject to sociocultural constraints.
In the DRC, the law limits 15- to 17-year-olds’ choice of contraceptive methods without parental authorization and prohibits access without parental consent for those under 15. In Mali and Togo, prejudice, health care providers’ lack of youth-friendly counseling skills, and the influence of conservative religious leaders are major obstacles. Despite the growing commitment of civil society and religious leaders, sociocultural barriers remain. All agree that no significant improvement in youth access to contraception has been made, underscoring the need to strengthen the recognition and involvement of youth as full-fledged actors in policy and program development.