ENGAGING YOUTH is the OCPU youth strategy. The OPCU will catalyze a youth movement for family planning in Francophone West Africa.
WHY A STRATEGY NOW?
Because there is no better time to invest in a youth movement for family planning. Francophone West Africa is home to millions of young people – in Burkina Faso, 65% of the population is under 24 years old.
“To make a lasting impact with the movement to increase family planning acceptance and use, we need to meaningfully engage youth.”
OP COUNTRIES ARE COMMITTED
- 8 of 9 OP countries have made youth-specific FP2020 commitments
- All OP countries have: –Family planning interventions for youth prioritized in Costed Implementation Plans –Policies for adolescent and youth reproductive health
- Many OP countries have adolescent advisors within the Ministry of Health (e.g., Benin)
PROGRESS TO DATE
Service delivery progress:
•Some innovative models exist, but not at scale
•Contraceptive use still low among 15-24 year-olds
Advocacy progress:
•Policy environment is favorable, though some countries still restrict access for youth
•Limited progress so far in meaningfully
engaging a diverse set of youth
engaging a diverse set of youth