Current situation
Burkina Faso is a low-income country in the Sahel. Agriculture makes up 80% of its economy and according to the World Bank, more than 40% of the population lives below the poverty line.
The growing insecurity in the border region between Mali and Niger, has led to a large number of internally displaced people. The country is also subject to frequent and severe natural disasters, such as drought, floods and locust invasions.
In Burkina Faso, the sexual and reproductive health of populations remains a major challenge. According to the demographic health survey (DHS) 2015, the contraceptive prevalence rate was 22.5% with unmet needs in family planning of 19.4%. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) remains widespread, two-thirds of women (63%) in Burkina Faso have been victims of FGM.
Despite the government’s efforts to improve access to healthy food, there is still a long road ahead. With our programmes on improving Health, Sexual and reproductive rights and the agricultural value chain, we stand by the people of Burkina Faso to get through these serious challenges.