Population Council Research that makes a difference

In Burkina Faso, one of the poorest nations in the world, girls are disproportionately disadvantaged and have weaker education and health outcomes than boys. They are also more prone to child marriage, a harmful traditional practice that perpetuates the cycle of poverty and gender inequality within society and greatly impinges on their human security (e.g., human rights, good governance, and access to economic opportunity, education, and health care; see Offsite Links below for a more complete definition).

In response, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the Population Council are undertaking a multisectoral project to prevent child marriage and improve opportunities for married girls.

The project's goal is to increase the human security of adolescent girls who are either married or at risk of child marriage in 24 locales in five regions of Burkina Faso. It will take an integrated multisectoral approach to improving girls' education, health, and social status.

The project will build on successful pilot interventions carried out by the three partners in collaboration with local NGOs and the Government of Burkina Faso. The partners bring their unique and complementary capabilities and experience to this work. UNFPA offers expertise in sexual and reproductive health, and UNICEF brings expertise in advocacy and education. The Population Council will be responsible for conducting the baseline survey, providing technical assistance in the design of interventions, and monitoring and evaluation, including the final evaluation. The partners will work closely with the government and local NGOs, the main providers of social services in Burkina Faso.

Banner photo: © Beryl Goldberg