The European Union (EU) will allocate 60 million euros to improve the sexual and reproductive health and rights of adolescent girls in Africa through an initiative signed on Thursday in Kigali (Rwanda) as part of the EU-Africa Global Gateway package and the EU Global Health Strategy.
The EU budget funding includes this €60 million in new funding for 2023-2027 and EU Member States are expected to make significant new financial commitments in the coming years.
While significant progress has already been made in advancing these rights in Africa, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a strong negative impact and significant challenges remain, necessitating progress on key issues such as family planning, combating gender-based violence, harmful practices, maternal mortality, as well as sexual health and wellness.
The initiative is based on a joint analysis of gaps, needs and lessons learned, and prioritizes areas where a regional perspective can complement global and country-level investments, focusing on three specific objectives.
The project has been developed by the European Commission, EU Member States and three African Regional Economic Communities and will be carried out in collaboration with other stakeholders such as governments, civil society organizations, the private sector, academic institutions and the United Nations.
