Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR)

1. Sector context and challenges

Health is an essential driver of Benin's human and economic development. Despite progress in recent years, the country still faces significant challenges in maternal health, reproductive health, and access to quality health services, particularly for women and young people.

With a predominantly young population, Benin must address issues linked to education, sexual and reproductive health, prevention of early pregnancy, child marriage, and women's empowerment  issues with a direct impact on social development, economic inclusion, and the reduction of inequality.

The Netherlands contributes to Benin's long-term stability and resilience by investing in durable results in the health sector, with a particular focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), in close cooperation with the Beninese government. This long-term engagement recognises that health outcomes are closely tied to education, gender equality, and social protection, requiring coordinated action across sectors. This approach brings together a wide range of partners  sectoral ministries, United Nations agencies, specialised NGOs, and civil society  around shared goals of reducing maternal mortality, preventing gender-based violence, and strengthening the empowerment of women and young people.

2. Portfolio of projects and programmes

IMPLEMENTED

Sexuality Education (2019–2026, with UNFPA, MESTFP, MEMP, MESRS, MS, MASM, MJL and civil society)
A Sexual Health Education (SHE) programme in and outside schools, which has enabled the development of a nationally recognised curriculum now implemented in four departments, with preparations underway for nationwide rollout.

Promotion of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (2022–2026, with ABMS, ABPF and CARE Benin/Togo)
Strengthens sexual and reproductive health and rights for young people aged 10 to 24: sexual health education, access to youth-friendly health services, reduction of gender-based violence, and a community-based approach to the wellbeing of young people and women.

Action Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) (2022–2026, with EngenderHealth and MASM)
Implemented with young feminists, the INF, civil society organisations, and victim support centres, this project promotes gender equality and supports the fight against GBV.

ONGOING

Strengthening Sexual and Reproductive Health Services (2024–2028, Ministry of Health and an NGO consortium led by ABPF)
Implements Benin's 2021 SRHR law to reduce maternal mortality. Objective: strengthen the capacity of Benin's health system to provide quality reproductive health services  including safe abortion care  to all women of reproductive age and the most vulnerable. Investments cover technical equipment, human resources, and public communication.

Child Protection and Cash Plus Care Faaba (2022–2027, with UNICEF, MASM, civil society, religious and traditional leaders)
Part of the "Zero Tolerance for Child Marriage" campaign and the 2024–2033 holistic social protection policy. More than 200,000 girls across the four northern departments have received cash transfers to ease the financial burden of keeping girls in school. The project also supports Village Watch Committees (CVV), with 328 out of 479 villages (68%) certified free of child marriage in 2025.

3. Overall sector contribution

Dutch support contributes to the durable strengthening of Benin's health system through a rights-based approach centred on equal opportunity and the empowerment of communities. The initiatives supported improve access to information and sexual and reproductive health services, while strengthening the capacity of institutions and health professionals.

They also contribute to the fight against early marriage, adolescent pregnancy, and gender-based violence, while encouraging girls' schooling and their participation in economic development  with measurable results, such as the 200,000 girls benefiting from the Faaba programme or the 328 villages certified free of child marriage. The partnership jointly mobilises United Nations agencies such as UNICEF and UNFPA, specialised NGOs such as ABPF, ABMS, CARE, and EngenderHealth, as well as the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Microfinance (MASM), ensuring a coordinated approach between the national and community levels, from policy design in Cotonou to outreach in villages across the northern departments.