International Development Grant

Protecting Girls and Adolescents from Sexual Violence Teenage Pregnancies and Early Unions

Project Number: CA-3-D004732001

Status: Terminating

Country/Region:

El Salvador 88.24%

Regional Focus:

North and Central America 11.76%

Maximum Contribution: $3,182,000.00

Start Date: March 20, 2018

End Date: September 30, 2021

Duration: 3.5 years

Project Description

This project aims to strengthen the protection and exercise of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for women and adolescents in Honduras El Salvador and Nicaragua and the sharing of experiences on SRHR in the region. Project activities implemented in the three countries include: (1) regional monitoring of advances of SRHR in line with the recommendations of international human rights mechanisms; (2) coordination and capacity building of national governments and other local actors on SRHR; (3) high level policy dialogue and exchange of best practices on SRHR among the three countries. Specific activities implemented in both El Salvador and in Nicaragua include: (1) holistic sexual education and sexual and reproductive health attention in schools in coordination with the respective ministries of education and health; (2) creation of early alert systems to prevent violence against children and adolescents; (3) capacity building to improve holistic attention for victims of sexual and gender based violence at community and family levels; and (4) cultural and sports activities to empower girls and change discriminatory attitudes and practices.

Expected Results

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) strengthened strategic alliances and national and regional platforms for the promotion and exercise of the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and adolescents; (2) improved quality and coverage of multi-sector national policies and services for the prevention and reduction of early pregnancies; and (3) improved measures and mechanisms for prevention protection care and mitigation of sexual and gender based violence (SGBV).

Progress & Results Achieved

Results achieved as of December 2020 include: At regional and national levels: (1) strategic alliances with multiple actors continued to be strengthened to promote and protect sexual and reproductive health and rights for young women and adolescents; In El Salvador: (1) 126 teachers trained in comprehensive sexuality education; (2) 210 schools received curricular documents and support materials; (3) 30 health facilities in the ten municipalities supported improved and consolidated the capacities for sexual and reproductive services for adolescents; (4) 110 girls and adolescents received care from the psychological care program for girl and adolescent victims of sexual violence; (5) two temporary reception spaces adapted and equipped to receive and support child and adolescent victims of sexual violence; 6) 36 judges trained on victimology and international law for the protection of women’s human rights; 7) 280 professionals including staff from the judiciary prosecutors attorneys lawyers law students heads of legal teams at public and private offices participated in three webinars on topics about the culture of rape and the investigation and prosecution of violence against women; 8) 436 health service providers received training on adolescent care and quality standards; In Nicaragua: (1) health staff who provide sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services for adolescents in the project’s eight territories received training on using new norms and protocols for SRHR-related attention to adolescents. The project developed these protocols based on international quality standards and World Health Organization guidelines; 2) 1 200 teachers received training on the use of pedagogical booklets on comprehensive sexuality education in the formal education system (including for initial primary and secondary education); 3) 953 adolescents outside of the formal education system (of whom 56% are women) received education through non-formal strategies on sex

Key Information

Executing Agency:
UNFPA - United Nations Population Fund

Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada

Program:
NGM Americas

Last Modified:
September 19, 2025

Development Classifications

DAC Sector:

Population policy and administrative management 75%
Ending violence against women and girls 25%

Aid Type: Project-type interventions

Collaboration: Bilateral

Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation

Selection Mechanism:
Department-Initiated

Policy Markers
Level 1 Gender equality
Level 1 Participatory development and good governance
Level 2 Children's issues
Level 2 Youth Issues
Major Funding (>$1M)
Budget Breakdown
2017-04-01 to 2018-03-31 $3,182,000 CAD
Geographic Information
000";Budget Type:Original;Start Date:2018-04-01;End Date:2019-03-31;Value Date:2018-03-20;Value:"$1
Reference ID: 500