Successful launch of the Advocating for Safe Abortion Project in Togo
We are delighted to welcome the Société des Gynécologues Obstétriciens du Togo (SGOT) as an implementing partner for our Advocating for Safe Abortion (ASA) Project.
The project was launched in Lomé, Togo, in February with a workshop that brought together members of SGOT and other key stakeholders leading advocacy work for sexual and reproductive health and rights in the country. This three-day workshop enabled participants to develop advocacy strategies and targeted objectives relevant to their local context, collaboratively creating an action plan for SGOT to implement during 2025.
As well supporting impactful advocacy on sexual and reproductive health in Togo, the project will help SGOT strengthen their capacity in a range of other relevant areas including communications, strategic planning and fundraising.
“We are very happy with the continuing support that FIGO is providing to SGOT and for running this workshop. We have learned a lot about advocacy strategies, and we are now ready to lead advocacy efforts to make a difference in sexual and reproductive health in Togo, particularly on issues such as abortion. This project will support SGOT to fully play its role in improving the environment in which vital health services are offered.”
Dr M’bortche Bingo, SGOT President
SGOT became a FIGO member in October 2023, during the FIGO World Congress in Paris. We are incredibly excited to kickstart our partnership with them to help improve access to safe and quality abortion care and advance reproductive rights in the country.
“We are one of the newest members in FIGO, and we are delighted to join our first FIGO project as implementing partner. Following our workshop, I am certain that this project will be a success - we already have big ideas for the future.”
Dr Djato Solim-Biou, Secretary General of SGOT
Raphael Totongnon, from the National College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians of Benin (CNGOB) joined FIGO’s Project Manager, Jema Davis, to deliver the workshop. CNGOB participated in the ASA project from 2019 – 2023 and, following collaborative efforts during this period, a change to the law took place to increase access for safe abortion in Benin.
“It is really important for FIGO to be able to support peer-to-peer learning between our member societies in the West Africa region, and for SGOT to be able to learn from the successes of CNGOB in their neighbouring country. We look forward to seeing what SGOT will achieve through their advocacy work during 2025 and beyond.”
Jema Davis, FIGO Project Manager
FIGO’s ASA project has been running since 2019. SGOT is now the thirteenth FIGO member society to engage as a direct implementing partner. The project is also currently working with SOGOC in Cameroon, SOMAGO in Mali and SOGOB in Burkina Faso.