Introduction

The UNFPA Annual Report 2024 offers an extensive overview of a year marked by remarkable global progress in sexual and reproductive health and rights, alongside significant challenges fueled by growing inequalities and crises worldwide. Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the ICPD Programmed of Action, this report highlights critical achievements such as preventing 18 million unintended pregnancies, averting 39,000 maternal deaths, and providing sexual and reproductive health services to over 54 million women, adolescents, and youth. Despite these gains, persistent issues like the resurgence of reproductive rights restrictions, high displacement with over 123 million forcibly displaced persons, and the use of sexual violence as a weapon in conflict zones underscore the precarious environment faced by vulnerable women and girls. The report further details UNFPA’s adaptive strategies amid decreasing global humanitarian funding and political challenges, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to sustaining transformative change and protecting the most marginalized populations worldwide.

Message from the Representative

2024 has been a pivotal year for UNFPA Guinea-Bissau as we continued to make strides in improving sexual and reproductive health and rights despite facing numerous obstacles. The country context remains challenging with fragile health systems and socio-economic disparities exacerbated by ongoing displacement and vulnerable populations. Yet, through strong partnerships and dedicated programming, we have been able to expand access to essential services, empower women and youth, and respond effectively to humanitarian needs.

Our focus on integrated service delivery and community engagement continues to pay dividends, enabling us to reach more underserved areas and marginalized groups. This report captures the breadth of achievements and underscores our ongoing commitment to the human rights-based approach central to UNFPA’s mandate.

We remain deeply grateful to our partners, government counterparts, and communities for their trust and collaboration throughout the year. Together, we will continue to strive towards a future where every woman, girl, and young person in Guinea-Bissau can enjoy their fullest rights and potential.

UNFPA in Guinea-Bissau

UNFPA has been partnering with Guinea-Bissau for several decades to support the government’s efforts to improve sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality, and population data management. Our work focuses on strengthening health systems, ensuring access to quality services, and addressing the needs of the most vulnerable, including women, adolescents, and displaced populations.

In 2024, UNFPA’s interventions concentrated on expanding access to maternal health services, promoting family planning, preventing and responding to gender-based violence, and enhancing youth engagement. Our collaboration with government ministries, civil society, and international partners has been critical to scaling-up programmed and reaching remote areas.

-Key strategic priorities included:

– Improving the availability of reproductive health commodities.

– Training health providers in comprehensive obstetric care.

– Supporting multisectoral response mechanisms to gender-based violence.

– Increasing the collection and use of population data for planning.

UNFPA Guinea-Bissau remains committed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (health and well-being), SDG 5 (gender equality), and SDG 10 (reduced inequalities), ensuring no one is left behind.

Country Context

Guinea-Bissau is a small West African country with a population estimated at 2 million people, characterized by high poverty rates and fragile governance structures. The health system faces significant challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, shortage of qualified health workers, and limited access to essential medicines.

Maternal mortality remains alarmingly high, estimated at 785 deaths per 100,000 live births, with most deaths attributable to preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth complications. Contraceptive prevalence is low at 18%, and unmet need for family planning stands at 27%.

The country continues to experience internal displacement and socio-political instability, which further complicates the delivery of health and social services. Women and girls are disproportionately affected by poverty, exclusion, and gender-based violence, with recent reports indicating increased incidence of sexual violence in some areas.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also exacerbated vulnerabilities, disrupting health services and economic activities, deepening existing inequalities.

Key Achievements per Thematic Area

Sexual and Reproductive Health Services

– Over 60,000 women received antenatal care services within the reporting period.

– Skilled birth attendance increased by 12% compared to the previous year.

– More than 30,000 women and girls accessed modern contraceptive methods.

– UNFPA supported the distribution of over 100,000 doses of essential reproductive health commodities.

– Capacity-building trainings were conducted for 150 health providers, focusing on emergency obstetric and newborn care.

Maternal mortality remains alarmingly high, estimated at 785 deaths per 100,000 live births, with most deaths attributable to preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth complications. Contraceptive prevalence is low at 18%, and unmet need for family planning stands at 27%

Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment

– Approximately 5,000 survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) received psychosocial support and medical care through UNFPA-supported centers.

– Community awareness campaigns reached over 45,000 people to promote women’s rights and prevent GBV.

– Multi-sectoral coordination mechanisms were strengthened at national and regional levels to improve GBV response.

– Youth-led initiatives engaged 8,000 adolescents and young people on topics of gender equality and sexual health.

Population Data and Development

– Census preparations were supported with technical assistance and training for 200 national data enumerators.

– Population data was enhanced to better inform planning, particularly for maternal and child health programmed.

– A national survey on youth sexual behaviors and needs was conducted, covering 5,000 respondents.

Humanitarian Response

– UNFPA led the reproductive health and GBV response in emergency-affected areas, reaching displaced populations with life-saving services.

– Mobile clinics provided antenatal care and safe delivery services in remote locations.

– Over 10,000 dignity kits were distributed to vulnerable women and girls to address hygiene and protection needs.

 Resources for Impact -Financial Report

– Total funds mobilized in 2024 amounted to USD 7.5 million, reflecting a 15% increase from the previous year.

– Allocation breakdown:

– 55% for sexual and reproductive health services

– 25% for gender equality and GBV programmed

– 10% for population data initiatives

– 10% for emergency and humanitarian interventions

– Funding partners included UN agencies, bilateral donors, and international NGOs.

– Challenges faced included delays in funding disbursements and limited domestic resource mobilization.

Partnerships for the Goals

– UNFPA strengthened cooperation with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, and Ministry of Youth.

– Partnerships with local NGOs and community-based organizations were crucial for grassroots outreach.

– Collaborations with UN sister agencies (WHO, UNICEF, UNHCR) ensured integrated service delivery.

– Engagement with donor community is maintained and expanded to secure sustainable financing.

– Private sector involvement increased in supporting awareness campaigns and commodity distribution.

Health Systems Strengthening

– Strengthening of health supply chain mechanisms to ensure uninterrupted availability of reproductive health commodities in 75 health facilities.

– Implementation of a national training programmed for midwives and nurses in emergency obstetric care, with 120 health workers certified.

– Support for the integration of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services into primary health care, reaching over 50 rural health posts.

– Improvement of data collection and management systems related to maternal and newborn health indicators.

Youth Engagement and Education

– Development and dissemination of youth-friendly information, education, and communication materials on sexual and reproductive health.

– Organization of peer educator networks involving 600 young people trained on life skills and reproductive health.

– Support to school health clubs in 30 secondary schools, reaching approximately 9,000 adolescents with awareness sessions.

– Facilitation of youth participation in national policy dialogues on adolescent health and rights.

Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response

– Establishment of three new community-based GBV response centers equipped to provide psychosocial support and referrals.

– Training of 100 community leaders and traditional authorities on GBV prevention and survivor support.

– Implementation of radio programmed and community theatre to raise awareness on GBV and promote behavioral change.

– Collaboration with law enforcement to strengthen survivor-friendly procedures and facilitate access to justice.

Humanitarian Nutrition and WASH Support*

– Distribution of nutrition supplements to 4,200 pregnant and lactating women in crisis-affected zones.

– Installation of safe water points and sanitation facilities at five health centers to improve hygiene standards.

– Training of health staff on nutrition counselling and referral systems for malnourished children under five.

Monitoring and Evaluation

– Conduct of quarterly review meetings with government and partners to assess programmed progress and challenges.

– Use of digital tools to improve timeliness and accuracy of health service reporting.

– Data quality audits carried out in 60 health facilities to ensure reliability of maternal health statistics.