IMPROVING ACCESS TO SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES IN KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Médecins du Monde (MdM), an international humanitarian organization serving vulnerable populations, has been working on improving sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for over 10 years. Having launched a new SRH strategy in 2019, MdM engaged a team to assess its impact on contraception and abortion access, and help determine which of its current practices are most effective in reaching youth and adolescents. The team examined the current status of adolescent SRH services, access, and rights in Kinshasa and the DRC; reviewed other countries’ practices to improve contraceptive and abortion services; and conducted interviews with youth, local health providers, pharmacists, NGOs, and community leaders in Kinshasa. Based on its findings, the team developed recommendations for MdM to expand access to SRH services for youth and adolescents in Kinshasa.