Niger population and health support project
A community-centred initiative that stimulates the supply and demand for quality reproductive, maternal, child and adolescent health services, as well as nutritional counselling in five vulnerable regions of Niger. The goal? To lower maternal and infant mortality rates and improve family planning for child development, women’s empowerment and poverty reduction.
Since its inception, the project has increased the number of pregnant women who turn to skilled health professionals and tripled the number of women aged 15 to 49 who use modern contraception. In addition, 10% more infants were vaccinated against measles and the number of newborns whose growth chart is monitored and who benefit from nutritional counselling has increased from 1,300 in 2014 to more than 360,000 in 2018.
I used to give birth at home. If there was a problem, there was no one to help me. Since the project started, I prefer to give birth at the clinic, because I know that if I need assistance, I will be taken care of.
Alimatou Idrissa
The project’s success is based on Rapid Results Initiatives (RRIs), an innovative problem-solving approach that promotes reflection, experiments and original modes of collaboration, anchored in the community. Each RRI focuses on a single, concrete goal, and brings together various stakeholders, such as local and religious authorities, health professionals, and community members to complete actions within 100 days. These initiatives take place several times a year in health centres to test new ways to improve the efficiency of health services.
In order to achieve sustainable results, the project supports the education of girls and adolescents by equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to boost their empowerment. These project awareness activities cover 684 villages. Over the period 2016-2022, 7,700 school-aged girls will benefit from school grants and hygiene kits.
