SRHR/FP funding: REMAPSEN warns of consequences in Togo

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Extract from the article: The Togolese branch of the African Media Network for Health and Environment Promotion (REMAPSEN) brought together media professionals on Friday, December 13, 2025, in Lomé. The meeting, themed “Funding cuts: what are the concrete effects on ....

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The Togolese branch of the African Media Network for Health and Environment Promotion (REMAPSEN) brought together media professionals on Friday, December 13, 2025, in Lomé. The meeting, themed “Funding cuts: what are the concrete effects on women and young people?”, aimed to examine the concrete consequences of funding cuts for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) on women and young people.

This day of discussion and exchange is part of the REMAPSEN Rendez-vous initiative. “It anticipates the major annual meeting of the Ouagadougou Partnership scheduled for December 16-18 in Lomé on this issue of funding,” said Peace Ambroisie, REMAPSEN coordinator.

Current situation and national mobilization

The government recently supported the purchase of contraceptive products to the tune of 150 million CFA francs and set up a program to teach values and sexual health in schools. According to Dr. Abram Ametepe, representative of the Ministry of Health, "Togo has gradually increased its national contribution since 2012, now covering more than 20% of input needs. With external funding becoming increasingly unpredictable, the country must develop its own health sovereignty to ensure the continuity of services."

REMAPSEN campaigns for local authorities to finance these actions. Its advocacy aims to ensure that municipalities include budget lines to support health facilities and NGOs in the field. Currently, dependence on funding for family planning (FP) stands at 82%. The aim is to reduce this external dependence.

The impact of lack of funding on women and young people

The reduction in funding has had concrete and dramatic effects on health indicators. Apoté Akpe, expert and Secretary General of the Network of Champions for Adequate Health Financing, outlined the risks, explaining that the decline in funding increases unwanted pregnancies and the number of clandestine abortions. These phenomena directly threaten women's lives. “Togo aims to achieve less than 110 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030. The reduction in funding could jeopardize this goal. Currently, there are 302 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births,” he said.

Young people are particularly affected because unmet FP needs reach 48.8%. The lack of funds hinders the work of peer educators, slows down awareness-raising, and limits access to services.

Esther KOLANI