Sexual and reproductive health: top priority for three Togolese CSOs

The organizations Initiative Féminine pour le Développement (IFD), the Association Mains du Développement (AMD) and Jeune Engagés et Actifs pour le Développement (JEAD) are jointly organizing a training activity on sexual and reproductive health and related rights under the theme: "Girl saves lives. Awareness raising on sexual and reproductive health." This activity, which began on November 26, 2022 in Aného, ​​is part of the Festival of Solidarity (FESTISOL) and heralds the start of 15 days of activism against gender-based violence.

This project is aimed at young girls and women students and apprentices aged 15 to 35. The aim is to instill good values ​​in young girls and women by awakening in them the fiber of solidarity and by arousing in them a commitment to be agents of change for the development of their locality. The main objective is to lead the trained people to train other girls in their communities on the notion of solidarity. More specifically, this project seeks to train participants on sexual and reproductive health.

Since solidarity knows no borders, Festisol aims to promote local and international solidarity throughout the world. It is a time for mobilization to reach out to citizens, initiate a shared reflection, and invite them to become actors in a more just, united, and sustainable world. Since 2015, Festisol collectives of civil society organizations have been formed in Africa across several countries, including Togo.

For 20 years, the Festival of Solidarity, held every November, has provided a space for all those who wish to demonstrate their solidarity in action in their region to convey positive messages in line with the foundations of the Festival. Beyond denunciation, the aim is to raise awareness in an educational manner about the challenges of solidarity and cooperation, from local to international. Finally, it encourages citizens to take action at their own level by offering them concrete avenues for action, highlighting international solidarity actions, innovations, and alternatives here and elsewhere.