Cedar Cohort

Improving data systems and adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights  

Advancing evidence-based policies, practices, rights and norms in West Africa and the Middle East 

Despite some progress in sexual and reproductive health and rights in recent decades across West Africa and the Middle East, advancements have been uneven and stalled in some contexts — and have been tested by growing economic and political challenges. A body of actionable, robust and context-specific evidence, generated by local researchers, is needed to overcome barriers and revitalize and accelerate progress. 

From 2017 to 2023, IDRC supported a cohort of 16 implementation research projects in West Africa and the Middle East to advance adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights and strengthen health information systems. Implemented across 11 countries, the projects used community-based approaches to work across sectors (health, education and legal) and transcend disciplinary and service delivery silos. Each initiative worked to strengthen social systems, and focused special attention on issues of gender equality, human rights, fragile settings, research ethics and knowledge translation.