UNFPA - United Nations Population Fund

Published purpose

This project aims to ensure continued access to essential services for highly vulnerable girls and women at high risk of infection through gender-based violence and harmful practices. This, during the COVID-19 pandemic, as a priority in Benin's strategic and border areas. Project activities include: (1) supporting awareness-raising of target groups of leaders by committees on early marriage, early sexuality and early pregnancy in times of pandemic; (2) strengthening and increasing the involvement of « Les hommes s’engagent » committees and standardized procedures to support the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) and COVID-19, through a telephonic information-sharing diary in the Atlantique; (3) organizing referrals to specialized protection services in compliance with anti-COVID-19 barrier measures; and (4) contributing to advocacy for the safety and psychological support of health personnel in addition to protection measures. The project is to be carried out in three strategic areas, namely the departments of Alibori, Atacora and Atlantique, where gender-based violence is widespread. These areas have a population of around 3,600,812, including 601,022 girls aged 10 to 24 and 1,813,728 women.