Lana Dakan,
Director of the Global Reproductive Health Initiative at the Foundation

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation is proud to support the Ouagadougou Partnership’s Coordination Unit and their essential role in increasing political will, policies, and funding to support contraceptive access for women and young people in francophone West Africa.

This investment aligns with our long-standing commitment to global reproductive health and our new regional strategy which seeks to support the innovation, advocacy, leaders and transnational connections and networks necessary to improve reproductive health and accelerate progress on gender equity. 

Strategic Objectives for the Coming Years 

The Ouagadougou Partnership (OP) aims to strengthen its actions in collaboration with partners such as the Packard Foundation, the Gates Foundation, and the Hewlett Foundation. The organization is guided by three key priorities: 

1. Increasing the Number of Modern Contraceptive Users 

2. Empower an additional 3.25 million women and girls to start using modern contraception by 2026, with a focus on 1.5 million youth aged 15–24.

3. Expanding Access in Humanitarian Contexts 

Enable 500,000 additional women in refugee camps or other humanitarian situations in OP countries to access modern contraceptives, particularly in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. 

4. Strengthening Funding Coordination 

Increase total funding coordinated by the Ouagadougou Partnership by 25%, attracting new donors while boosting contributions from existing ones. 

Mali’s Example: A Strategy for Free FP Services 

Mali has adopted a bold approach to reproductive health by developing a five-year policy for free family planning services. In response to high maternal and infant mortality rates and a fertility rate of 5.9 children per woman, this strategy aims to remove financial barriers to accessing contraceptive methods. 

The OP will support Mali in this initiative through: 

• Recruiting a consultant to develop a tailored strategy; 

• Organizing launch workshops and experience-sharing sessions with other countries; 

• Mobilizing resources to ensure the long-term sustainability of the policy. 

Research and Capacity Building: Foundations for Sustainable Policies 

Since 2022, the OP’s Research Agenda has focused on generating evidence to influence national FP policies. With support from the Packard Foundation, the OP will fund research projects co-sponsored by policymakers and local institutions. 

Additionally, efforts will be made to strengthen the institutional capacity of 10 research institutes in West Africa. This includes training in strategic planning, partner mobilization, and communication. 

Advancing Justice and Equity 

By addressing disparities in FP access, particularly for youth and vulnerable populations, the OP pursues a goal of social justice. Developing policies for free FP services and considering the specific needs of women and youth are central to this equitable vision. 

About the Ouagadougou Partnership 

Since its inception in 2011, the Ouagadougou Partnership has established itself as a key player in improving access to family planning in Francophone West Africa. With strategic coordination, dynamic advocacy, and committed leadership, the OP strives to meet the reproductive health needs of women and youth while promoting sustainable development.