Mozambique: Government of Norway continues support to Pathfinder International to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights

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Mozambique: Government of Norway continues support to Pathfinder International to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights

12:02 CAT | 22 Mar 2024

Mobile brigade with adolescents (boys and girls) in Cabo Delgado [All photos: Courtesy of Royal Norwegian Embassy in Maputo]

The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Maputo is proud to announce its continued commitment to advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights through a new phase of cooperation with Pathfinder International. With a disbursement of 20 million Norwegian kroner(approximately 1.9 million USD), this partnership underscores Norway’s steadfast dedication to addressing critical SRHR challenges and promoting gender equality in Mozambique.

Since 2017, Norway has collaborated closely with Pathfinder International on transformative initiatives aimed at empowering women and girls, transforming gender norms, and reducing the prevalence of gender-based violence and unsafe abortions. The results achieved thus far are a testament to the effectiveness and impact of this collaboration.

Pathff.fb_ — *Community dialogue among women in Murrebue (Mecúfi district)*

Through innovative projects such as the JUNTAS initiative, Pathfinder International has equipped adolescents with essential information and skills related to gender equality and SRHR issues. This has not only promoted healthier behaviours but has also sparked meaningful conversations within communities, driving positive social change. One of the most significant achievements of this partnership has been the remarkable increase in contraceptive use among women. From 2017 to 2023, the proportion of women adopting long-acting reversible contraceptive methods, such as implants and intrauterine devices (IUDs), nearly doubled. This empowered women with greater control over their reproductive health choices, leading to improved SRHR outcomes.

Additionally, access to comprehensive abortion care has seen significant enhancements under this collaboration. The provision of safe abortions increased nearly eightfold, from 1,211 in 2017 to 8,907 in 2023, ensuring that women have access to critical reproductive healthcare services when needed most. Moreover, the implementation of gender-based violence screening at health facilities has witnessed a substantial increase, demonstrating a proactive approach to addressing GBV and providing essential support to survivors.

Norwpath.fb_ — *The new agreement was signed at the Norwegian Embassy by the President for Africa at Pathfinder, Lydia Saloucou Zoungrana, and the Minister Counsellor of the Norwegian Embassy, Sissel Idland.*

Building on this success, the new phase of the project will target adolescent girls and young women ages 10-24, particularly those internally displaced, in Cabo Delgado Province, as well as adolescent girls and young women in Maputo City and Maputo Province.

The project aims to achieve three main outcomes:

Enhanced adolescent girls and young women’s ability to exercise their rights to sexual rights and health decision-making.

Improved adolescent girls and young women’s access to quality contraception, comprehensive abortion care and post abortion care counselling and services.

Strengthened comprehensive abortion care / post abortion care policies and guidelines through evidence generation and advocacy.

The project will work in collaboration with civil society and through direct support from district and provincial level authorities to reach adolescent girls and young women.

Norway remains committed to further advancing SRHR globally. Together, we will continue to strive for gender equality, empowerment, and improved health outcomes for women and girls worldwide.