A recent survey conducted with more than 130,000 Pro Mujer clients in Bolivia showed that 83% of Pro Mujer beneficiaries recognize the importance of including SRH services and access to contraceptive methods in our service offering. This data point highlights the importance of and need for initiatives focused on SRH to support the well-being and autonomy of women in the country.
In response to this demand, Pro Mujer implemented the “Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Awareness and Family Planning in Latin America” project, an initiative whose main objective is to expand access to SRH information and services and encourage women to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
The project focuses on training Community Health Workers and strengthening innovative digital tools like our specialized SRH chatbot. Significant progress has been made since the project launched, including the following:
- Training: 54 health and administrative professionals were trained on SRH issues alongside 200 Community Health Workers. These essential Community Health Workers raise awareness and educate their communities, offer counseling, provide referrals to health facilities, and establish support groups.
- Digital tools: The SRH chatbot was adapted for mobile devices, making it easier for the approximately 1,000 users who have engaged with it. This digital tool offers reliable and accessible information about SRH and contraceptive methods, allowing women to ask questions safely and anonymously.
- Strategic partnerships: We signed a five-year agreement with the Central de Abastecimiento y Suministros en Salud (CEASS) to acquire contraceptive methods at preferential prices, facilitating women’s access to these essential supplies.
- Research and publications: The first scientific publication focused on the SRH of Pro Mujer beneficiaries is underway, contributing to knowledge generation and the visibility of the subject in Bolivia.
SRH and family planning in Bolivia face significant challenges that particularly impact Afro-descendant, Indigenous, rural, and low-income adolescents. The unemployment rate among adolescent mothers, for example, is 33%, and the total indirect costs of their unmet needs exceed $500 million (UNFPA), limiting their autonomy.
Pro Mujer remains committed to promoting women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights in Bolivia and will continue to deploy innovative tools and respond to feedback to support women throughout the region in reaching their full potential and contributing to the sustainable development of their communities.
