Misinformation continues to be a complex issue that creates unseen barriers to access and quality care in sexual and reproductive health (SRH). Finding ways to break down science-dense language and reproductive legislation in general terms was a challenge that one of our West Africa chapters decided to take on. In collaboration with the Population Reference Bureau, the MSFC chapter in Benin created a resource for a medical student on abortion and family planning. Our student leaders developed an infographic pamphlet to assist future healthcare workers in understanding why the gap for comprehensive sexual and reproductive healthcare needs to be filled. We are excited to share this new guide with you all!

The guide details a call to action to major leaders and key health agencies in Benin to increase support for safe abortion care, reduce abortion stigma, and implement programs that secure and support the equitable distribution of sexual and reproductive health preventative medicine. Most importantly, the guide uses data and statistics to raise awareness on the commitments to bodily autonomy, and women’s SRH outlined the keystone Maputo Protocol of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa.

We asked Bachirou, a student at the chapter, to share their thoughts on the deliverable. Here’s what they had to say:

“This booklet takes stock of abortion in Benin currently and traces all the laws on abortion in Benin; the disadvantages of clandestine abortion, the advantages of safe abortion, and some calls to action from each reader to commit to the reduction of mortality linked to clandestine abortion by clearly understanding the legislation on safe abortion in Benin.”

*Please note that this guide was made within the context of a Francophone population and is therefore only available in French.

Email students@msfc.org if you would like access to the PDF version of this deliverable.