Learn more about how the WCA Commitment is driving action to improve the health, education, and well-being of adolescents and young people in West and Central Africa.

In West and Central Africa 🌍, nearly 1 in 5 girls under the age of 14 have undergone Female Genital Mutilaiton.   📢 "I know I have the strength, commitment and courage to make a difference!" - Awa tells her inspiring story and her fight against female genital mutilations. 

📢 "I needed so much more. I needed help... When you have the right information, you make the right choices, and you can have a better life" - Samira shares her true life story to prevent sexual abuse. 

In West and Central Africa 🌍, early and unintended pregnancies = major cause of school dropout. 📢"Education starts from the youngest age. If it's taboo at home, it's the school that must offer answers." - Today, Marie helps adolescent girls from her community access the health information and services they need.

In West and Central Africa 🌍, only 24% of boys and 22% of girls aged 15-19 have comprehensive knowledge about HIV and AIDS. In addition, young girls are most at risk of contracting HIV. 📢 "It’s high time we speak up. It’s high time we feel free. It’s high time we speak about ourselves!” - Cinthia calls for action to overcome the stigma related to HIV .

The EHW strategy represents an opportunity to build a more cohesive approach to health promotion that strengthens priorities and builds on policies and commitments already in place across member states. The ultimate aim of this is to advance a collective approach that meets the needs of learners and is feasible for delivery through the education sector. 

In West and Central Africa 🌍, between 5 & 25% of teenagers have had sex before the age of 15. 📢 "These young people who are already sexually active, we need to make available to them adequate info & services" - Hayathe's call to action to help young people to make informed choices about their health.

📢“J’aimerais que les jeunes garçons comprennent que les jeunes filles ne sont pas si différentes d’eux”. - La résilience de Joyce face aux violences basées sur le genre qu'elle a subies. 

📢 "We need to know that our questions, and all our questions, deserve answers" - Yassine warns about the consequences of taboo subjects within communities when it comes to sexual and reproductive health.

In West and Central Africa 🌍, menstrual health is still taboo. In most countries, less than 50% of women have knowledge about their fertile period. 📢 "If I had access to information, I probably would have spoken to her, and she would probably still be alive." - Juliet's powerful story.