COVIE strengthening

The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Côte d’Ivoire is concentrated among highly vulnerable populations (HVP), including sex workers (SW), who are affected at a prevalence rate of 10.2%. Access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for key populations remains hindered by numerous challenges. These include low contraceptive use, high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), menstrual insecurity, and a significant number of unintended pregnancies (UPs) and unsafe abortions. Marginalized and exposed to violence from clients and figures of authority, sex workers often refrain from filing complaints due to fear of reprisals. It is therefore essential to integrate efforts to address gender-based violence (GBV) with the HIV response. Moreover, sex work is widely practiced by other HVPs who are not always identified by outreach workers or do not self-identify as sex workers. In this context, the NGO Conscience et Vie (COVIE) was founded in 2014 by sex workers and allies, with the goal of advocating for the rights of sex workers in Côte d’Ivoire. COVIE is active in providing legal, medical, psychological, and psychosocial support to sex workers, particularly those living with HIV. The organization now aims to expand its work to include SRHR, an area that remains insufficiently covered despite significant identified needs.

A partner of Solthis through the POUVOIR and POUVOIR+ projects funded by L’Initiative (Expertise France), COVIE is well established within the Ivorian civil society landscape. However, despite its progress, the organization continues to face significant governance, management, and strategic structuring challenges that hinder its development. It still operates with limited resources and lacks sufficient financial management capacity. To better meet the growing needs of sex workers and strengthen its role as a key actor, COVIE aims to develop a new three-year strategic plan following a diagnostic process. This plan will help redefine its priorities, enhance the participation of its members and beneficiaries through a participatory approach, and broaden its scope beyond HIV to address issues such as SRHR, GBV, and social reintegration. This process will be accompanied by essential organizational strengthening efforts, including improving internal management, resource mobilization, and communication and advocacy capacities, with the goal of reinforcing its governance and diversifying its partnerships.

General objective: Help to structure the NGO COVIE and supporting its strategic and operational deployment to maximise its impact in the fight against STI/HIV/AIDS and the promotion of the rights and health of sex workers.

Specific objectives:

SO1: Support an inclusive and participative self-diagnosis of COVIE’s situation.

SO2: Support the development of a 3-year strategic plan as part of a participative process.

SO3: Draw up a plan to strengthen organisational capacity and focus on intervention themes.

SO4: Support the development of a roadmap for resource mobilisation, communication and advocacy.