Safe spaces for sex-ed and care: inauguration of 4 youth centres in benin

16 September 2021

The PASSRELLE project team proudly cut the ribbon last May, inaugurating 4 Youth Centres in the company of municipal authorities, health authorities, Canadian government representatives and adolescents from the surrounding neighbourhoods. These centres will facilitate access to sexual and reproductive health services for nearly 30,000 adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19, respecting their rights and listening to their needs.

Game areas, a pharmacy, a digital room, counselling rooms, a treatment room… The Youth Centres are designed to attract a teenage clientele and answer questions related to sexual and reproductive health in complete confidence.

In addition to offering a safe and non-judgmental space, the Youth Centres promote the rights of adolescents in terms of sexual and reproductive health and combat stereotypes, notably through workshops on responsible masculinity.

This strategy, deployed in the Mono and Atlantic regions of Benin, aims to improve the provision of sexual and reproductive health services and to address the under-use of health services by adolescent girls who are often reluctant to seek help due to various taboos surrounding sexuality. Four additional centres are being set up in the two departments. They are scheduled to open in September.