Burkinafaso Map

Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso, a landlocked state of West Africa, is one of the poorest countries of the world. More than 45 per cent of its population lives under the poverty line. Nearly half of the population is 15 years of age or below. Schooling enrolment rates remain low for girls. Several studies have shown that families are more likely to send boys to school than girls. Adolescent girls in the Burkinabe society face substantial restrictions in the modern job market. As a result, they have less opportunities and choices in life than boys. Information about contraceptive methods and appropriate ways of preventing sexually transmitted infections hardly reach adolescents. HIV infections are increasing among women, and the epidemic follows a pattern that has been evident in other parts of sub-Saharan Africa, the ratio of female to male – particularly younger female to male – will increase, potentially dramatically. There is already a ratio of about one to three female to male prevalence in the 15-24 year old age group. Early marriage for adolescent girls is a fact of life, especially in the rural areas. As a consequence, they face early and unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and high maternal mortality rates, especially when only 61% of then go for prenatal consultations, partly because the health care system cannoth meet their basic health needs.

The Project “Strenthening Health and Social Services to meet Adolescent Girls Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs” aims to improve the quality of life of adolescent girls in the Bazéga and Fada regions of Burkina Faso.

More information and activities on this project >>