Communities of Practice (CoPs) are built around the regional priorities of the Common Agenda for Safe Abortion in Francophone Africa. 

The approach is to create centralized regional platforms for specific thematic areas to better collaborate, communicate, inform, connect and leverage diverse initiatives and experiences. The CoPs promote a framework for exchanges between countries/actors to share experiences and accelerate progress in terms of access to safe abortion; and continue to converge strategies on safe abortion in the region.
Communities of Practice

Campaign & Advocacy

This COP brings together professionals and activists engaged in the design and implementation of awareness campaigns and strategic advocacy actions. It aims to mobilize policymakers, civil society organizations, the media, and the general public to promote access to safe abortion. Members of this CoP share tools, methodologies, and experiences for designing impactful messages, building strong coalitions, and maximizing campaign impact. They also work to counter misconceptions and build constructive dialogue around reproductive health and women’s rights.

Health Services and Systems

This community is interested in how health systems can be strengthened to provide accessible, quality, and respectful safe abortion services. It works to develop practical solutions to integrate these services into existing health infrastructure, in particular by:

 

  • Training of health care providers to ensure ethical and non-discriminatory services.
  • The development of appropriate standards and protocols for safe and effective reproductive care.
  • The implementation of strategies to reduce financial, geographical and cultural barriers to access to care. Members collaborate to innovate and share best practices to create a health environment that is conducive to reproductive health.

Follow-up to the Opposition

This COP focuses on monitoring, analysing and responding to the activities of movements and groups opposed to access to safe abortion. Its members work to identify strategies used to spread misinformation, stigmatize women, and restrict their rights. Through monitoring mechanisms, the COP:

  • Provides regular analysis of opposition narratives and tactics.
  • Develops tools and messaging to effectively counter anti-choice narratives.
  • Builds the capacity of actors to advocate for supportive policies based on arguments based on human rights, scientific evidence and international standards. This COP helps to stay ahead of hostile groups and preserve gains on reproductive rights.

Research

This CoP brings together researchers, academics, and practitioners who generate evidence-based knowledge to inform reproductive health policy decisions and practices. Areas of action include:

  • Conducting studies on unmet need for safe abortion.
  • Analysis of the impacts of restrictive policies on women’s health.
  • Dissemination of research results to raise awareness among decision-makers and communities. Members emphasize the use of data to strengthen advocacy, design targeted interventions, and evaluate the effectiveness of reproductive health initiatives.

Security and Self-Managed Abortion

This COP is part of research and action to ensure that essential inputs, such as safe abortion medicines, are available, accessible and used appropriately. She also works to promote self-managed abortion as a safe option that respects women’s autonomy. Activities include:

  • Working with governments and partners to secure the supply chain of essential medicines.
  • Raising awareness among health providers and communities on good practices for the use of inputs.
  • Supporting women seeking reliable information and safe solutions for self-managed abortion, while offering them appropriate counselling and support. By combining technical expertise, advocacy and community support, this COP contributes to strengthening women’s empowerment and access to safe care.