IDRC inaugurates its Central and West Africa regional office in Dakar
In collaboration with IDRC, the Prime Minister of Canada announced CA$4,8 million to improve sexual and reproductive health and rights for adolescents girls in Senegal.
In his speech, the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau reiterated the Government of Canada’s commitment to supporting research and innovation in the Global South in order to meet global sustainable development challenges, while giving special attention to youth, gender equality, and women’s empowerment.
“Senegalese and Canadians are studying many of the same issues: climate change, poverty, gender equality. This centre [IDRC’s regional office for Central and West Africa] will allow them not only to put their ideas into practice, but also to collaborate and build new ties between our two countries,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
“The opening of IDRC’s office here in Dakar demonstrates Canada’s commitment to Africa, especially Francophone Africa. An important part of our country’s commitment to the region is support for research on producing sustainable, significant, and innovative solutions for promoting development,” Jean Lebel stated.
Since its creation in 1970, IDRC has supported nearly 1,400 research activities totalling more than CA$289 million in Central and West Africa. In Senegal, the Centre has supported more than 350 activities — an investment totalling CA$57 million.
In 2019–2020, IDRC allocated roughly CA$15 million in new grants in Central and West Africa, especially in the areas of adolescent reproductive health, women’s economic empowerment, and resilience in the face of climate change.