Advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health in Cabo Delgado (SPARC)

The project aims to improve the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of some of the most vulnerable women and adolescent girls in six districts of Cabo Delgado province in Mozambique. It addresses SRHR barriers facing women and girls through three interrelated and mutually reinforcing efforts: improving the supply of services, so that quality sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services are available and effectively delivered; increasing the demand for and use of SRH services, which requires an environment where partners, families and communities understand the importance of SRHR and value women’s and girls’ decision-making power; and enhancing the use of SRHR information and evidence by key stakeholders. Project activities include: (1) building capacity of key district-level health workers; (2) addressing weaknesses with infrastructure, equipment and services (such as ensuring confidentiality); (3) strengthening referral systems, including for complicated post-abortion cases; (4) engaging men and boys as partners for change, sensitising community leaders, engaging community health committees; (5) providing family planning services through community health workers; and (6) generating and disseminating gender-sensitive research on SRHR and supporting the government’s capacity to collect, analyse and use SRH data effectively.