Where We Work

Mozambique

Kenya

Benin

Senegal

Colombia

United States

Ponta do Ouro, Mozambique

Mozambique is a country in southeastern Africa with a population of ~34.8 million. Pont do Ouro is a town in the extreme south of the country just on the border with South Africa. Because of the high influx of tourists due to its location right on the ocean, Ponta (as its known by the locals) experiences high levels sex work among adolescent girls and young women, and of drug use, making the population susceptible to HIV and other STIs. While more northern towns of the province have benefited from development interventions focusing on HIV prevention care and treatment, Ponta has largely been excluded from international interventions.

The gross attendance rate for primary education increased from 60% in 2003 to 74% in 2011, it fell to 70% in 2023. However, the percentage of women in who have finished secondary education still is exceedingly low throughout the country – anywhere from 7% to 31%. Women are less likely than men to receive cash remuneration for their work. Only 38% of women decide for themselves how to use their income. Interestingly, more women (19%) than men (15%) believe that it is justified if a husband beats his wife in at least one of five specific circumstances.

Natitingou, Benin

Benin is a West African country bordered by Nigeria to the east, Togo to the west, Niger and Burkina Faso to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the south. Natitingou is the capital of Atacora’s department, in north-west Benin. With a population of ~9,500, the majority of whom are young, Natitingou is a popular tourist destination.

Primary education accounts for 28.8% of Natitingou's population, secondary education for 11.2% and higher education for 0.7%. At all levels of education, educated women are poorly represented, with the parity index largely in favor of men. Since 2021, northern Benin has been faced with the phenomenon of insecurity and all its consequences (displacement of people, famine, disease, children dropping out of school, inactivity among women and young people, etc.). Natitingou has not been spared these consequences, which are making life more difficult for women and young people.

Kolda, Senegal

Senegal is a country in West Africa with a population of ~18.8 million. Kolda is a city and urban commune located in the southern, Casamance region of Senegal, and has a tropical savannah climate with a rainy season and a dry season. The 2019 Senegal Demographic Health Survey (DHS) reveals significant challenges for the Casamance region. Fifteen percent of young women between 15-19 years had already had a child, and 20% had already begun their reproductive life.

45.86% of Senegalese girls 15-21 are not in education, employment, or training compared to 22.37% of boys. The primary to secondary transition is where girls’ school enrollment begins decreasing, when 43.2% of girls and 34.5% of boys complete lower secondary school in Senegal. Both girls’ and boys’ enrollment decline even further with tertiary education where only 12.94% of Senegalese boys go on to tertiary education compared to 7.83% of girls. One reason for the decline during secondary and tertiary education is that 72% of school-age pregnancies occur between ages 13 and 17, and 28% of school-age pregnancies occur between the ages of 18 and 19. These results in 54% of girls who are pregnant dropping out, 39% of pregnant girls repeating classes, and only 15% of pregnant girls restarting their studies.

Northern Kenya

Kenya, a country in East Africa with a population of ~52.4 million, is the 7th most populous in Africa. Northern Kenya, is a semi-arid, hot region characterized by dramatic landscapes and a nomadic and pastoralist population.

The 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) reveals significant challenges for Northern Kenya in issues such as water access, sanitation, and health outcomes. Over half the population lacks access to drinking water on premises, and Turkana County has the highest proportion of households in the poorest quintile. The communities of Samburu, Laikipia, Samburu, Isiolo and Marsabit have some of the poorest indicators with significant challenges around gender inequality and harmful practices, major health disparities, climate vulnerabilities, underserved and underrepresented as well as being home to to diverse Indigenous pastoralist communities, such as the Samburu, Rendille, Borana, Turkana, and Maasai. Women in these communities often face unique cultural, social, and systemic challenges that require tailored interventions.