International Development Grant

Foundations: Strengthening Adolescent Girls’ Sexual and Reproductive Health

Project Number: CA-3-P008440001

Status: Operational

Country/Region:

Sierra Leone 33.00%
Niger 33.00%
Mali 34.00%

Maximum Contribution: $45,000,000.00

Start Date: July 27, 2021

End Date: June 30, 2027

Duration: 5.9 years

Project Description

This project aims to improve access to sexual and reproductive health care for marginalized and vulnerable people particularly adolescent girls and women in Mali Niger and Sierra Leone. The project’s activities include: (1) raising awareness among adolescent girls and women around sexual and reproductive health and rights through community education campaigns; (2) training community-based health care providers and health facility staff about providing gender-responsive adolescent-friendly sexual and reproductive health services and care; (3) educating men and adolescent boys community leaders government officials and other people in positions of power on gender-based discrimination models of positive masculinity and prevention of domestic and sexual and gender-based violence (among other topics); and ((4) helping girls’ and women’s rights and advocacy groups demand better and more inclusive and accessible sexual and reproductive health and rights policy from their governments. The project benefits over 450 000 people the majority adolescent girls and women. Save the Children Canada is implementing this project in partnership with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) EquiPop (Equilibres et Populations) the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) and SickKids.

Expected Results

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) Increased decision making by in-school & out-of-school adolescent girls on their SRHR & the use of SRH services; (2) Improved provision of gender-responsive inclusive adolescent-friendly & accountable SRH services by health care providers for diverse groups of women & adolescent girls; and (3) Improved effectiveness of key stakeholders particularly women & girls’ rights organizations & government decision-makers to advocate for evidence-based accountable & equitable SRH policies legal frameworks & services.

Progress & Results Achieved

Results achieved as of March 2024 include: (1) introduced 20 170 adolescents to adolescent sexual reproductive health and rights (ASRHR) topics such as abortion and post-abortion care through health facility visits. Also trained 3 853 out-of-school girls in knowledge and positive attitudes towards ASRHR and gender equality in Sierra Leone; (2) sensitized 567 men including guardians and religious and traditional leaders to sexual and gender-based violence early marriage sexual and reproductive health services for women and equitable decision-making. Also sensitized 291 adolescent fathers (aged 16 to 19) and partners or spouses of adolescent girls (aged 20+ years) to sexual and gender-based violence in Mali; (3) trained 394 mothers of adolescents aged 12 to 18 years and 434 husbands or partners in gender equality positive parenting life skills and SRHR in Niger; and (4) supported 447 people including those from project countries to participate in regional consultations with West African women and girls’ rights organizations. These consultations allowed to inform governments and community leaders in SRHR strategy planning and advocacy.

Key Information

Executing Agency:
Save the Children Canada

Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada

Program:
YFMInternaAssistPartnershp&Programing Br

Last Modified:
September 19, 2025

Development Classifications

DAC Sector:

Population policy and administrative management 43%
Reproductive health care 25%
Family planning 1%
Personnel development for population and reproductive health 8%
Ending violence against women and girls 18%
Promotion of development awareness 5%

Aid Type: Project-type interventions

Collaboration: Bilateral

Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation

Selection Mechanism:
Call for Proposals

Policy Markers
Level 2 Gender equality
Level 1 Environmental sustainability (cross-cutting)
Level 1 Participatory development and good governance
Level 2 Youth Issues
Level 1 ICT as a tool for development
Major Funding (>$1M)
Budget Breakdown
2021-04-01 to 2022-03-31 $45,000,000 CAD
Geographic Information
485
Reference ID: 775