In Mali, 3 in 10 women have unmet family planning needs. Through the Integrated Fight Against Chronic Malnutrition project in Mali, Action Against Hunger, with the help of its local partners, AMADECOM and COFERSA, aims to reduce the number of married women and men of reproductive age without access to modern contraceptive methods1.
Funded by Global Affairs Canada, this 5-year project aims to improve the nutritional status of children under 5 and pregnant and lactating women in the Kayes, Kita and Sikasso regions of Mali. The project addresses three major underlying causes of chronic malnutrition: access to adequate care, a healthy environment and nutritious food. In the regions of Kayes and Sikasso, these three factors are greatly affected by gender inequalities affecting women and adolescent girls.
Through the Terikunda Jekulu approach (“the circle of friends” in the Bambara language), the project team intends to help groups overcome socio-cultural barriers related to family planning and address unmet needs for family planning, thus increasing the use of family planning throughout communities and social networks.
Conducted in connection with the authorities and health providers in the area, the project identifies socially influential individuals and groups within communities and mobilizes them using dialogue and reflection groups centred around social barriers related to family planning. Accompanied by community development agents and supervisors of the consortium, these influential members can help better reach family and community members, including couples, mothers-in-law, and traditional and religious leaders. These community discussions are also played on community radios, to further expand their reach.
Thanks to this innovative approach, Action Against Hunger and its partners have equitably increased the use of primary health and sexual and reproductive health services by women and adolescent girls in the 4 health districts supported by the project.
The Integrated Fight Against Chronic Malnutrition in Mali project, funded by Global Affairs Canada, aims to sustainably improve the nutritional status of children under five and women of reproductive age. The five-year project will address three major causes of chronic malnutrition: access to adequate care, a healthy environment and nutritious food.
1. Mburano, Rwenge; Kanambaye, Saidou. 2019 (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/347445147_Besoins_Non_Satisfaits_de_Planification_Familiale_au_Mali)
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