Burkina Faso programme launched
Ouagadougou: Marie Stopes International (MSI) recently launched its newest programme, Burkina Faso.
Burkina Faso is one of the world’s poorest countries and with only 10% of women there using a modern method of family planning and an overall fertility rate of 6.3, the reasons for MSI’s expansion into Burkina Faso are clear.
“There is a vital need for MSI’s services in Burkina Faso,” said Sally Hughes, MSI Burkina Faso Country Director. “Every three hours a woman dies from pregnancy-related complications. MSI Burkina Faso will be crucial in increasing reproductive and sexual health choices for the Burkinabé population.”
To mark the start of MSI providing services in this part of West Africa the MSI Burkina Faso team held a national launch ceremony in the capital Ouagadougou. Speaking at the ceremony, Claire Morris, MSI’s Senior Regional Director for Africa & Latin America said: “We are delighted to expand our work to this country and join forces with the government and others to improve the sexual and reproductive health of the Burkinabè population.”
In typical Burkinabé style the event also included a variety of entertainment. As well as dancing and street theatre from a top local theatre troupe who performed a funny skit on the benefits of family planning, a leading Burkinabé singer sang a specially composed MSI song. The national launch was followed by five community launches in the rural areas served by the programme’s first outreach team.
A pro-population growth stance and religious beliefs predominate in Burkina Faso. To help raise awareness, provide correct information on family planning methods and generate demand for the MSI outreach services, social marketing agents have been recruited to work in the villages and communities in which the MSI Burkina Faso outreach team will operate.
Each village has a chief and their involvement and support are critical to the success of MSI Burkina Faso’s work. Sally and her team have already got them on side as demonstrated at the first launch, where the village has two rather than one chief. Both chiefs attended to show their support of MSI’s arrival and endorse the benefits of using family planning; one is a Catholic with four children and the other a Muslim with 21 children!
“We are thrilled to be serving clients” said Odile Fande, Centre Coordinator at MSI Burkina Faso’s first centre. With such an impressive start and with so vital and energetic a Country Director as Sally Hughes in charge, MSI Burkina Faso looks set for rapid growth and will undoubtedly soon be having a huge positive impact on the lives and wellbeing of the Burkinabé population.