August 2025 – February 2028
Côte d'Ivoire
Côte d’Ivoire is one of the West African countries most affected by HIV/AIDS, with a national prevalence rate of 2.4%. The epidemic is concentrated mainly among vulnerable populations: 12.6% among sex workers and 22.6% among transgender people. People living with HIV (PLHIV) face high levels of gender-based violence (GBV), which exacerbates their vulnerability to STIs, unwanted pregnancies, and unsafe abortions.
Based on the results of the POUVOIR project (2022–2025), POUVOIR+ aims to:
- expand its activities to the districts of Treichville-Marcory, Koumassi, and Port-Bouët;
- extend its target audiences to all PLHIV who are sex workers: cis sex workers, men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender people, and women who use drugs;
- strengthen its response to critical needs: self-care for transgender people, cervical cancer screening, anal health, and advocacy for a favorable legal framework, in collaboration with CSOs.
General objective : To improve access to health care and the full expression of the SRHR of HVP and thus contribute to the achievement of national objectives in the fight against HIV and the promotion of SRHR, as well as to the reduction of gender inequalities in Côte d’Ivoire.
Specific objective: : strengthen and sustain interventions and commitments in favour of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) deployed by civil society organisations (CSOs) for and with people living with HIV (PLHIV) who are sex workers, in order to ensure more inclusive care.
Beneficiaries
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Members of COVIE
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Espace Confiance
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Arc-en-Ciel+
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TS women, MSM, transgender sex workers, PUD sex workers
Results
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- R1: The capacities of partner civil society organizations are strengthened, and their expertise in caring for highly vulnerable populations engaged in sex work is enhanced.
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- R2: The implementation of a community-based strategy adapted to the needs of PHVs practicing sex work improves access to information and to sexual and reproductive health interventions (in particular self-care and self-help), as well as to holistic management of gender-based violence.
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- R3: The supply of sexual and reproductive health and mental health services is improved in target areas, for inclusive care adapted to the specific needs of VHP involved in sex work.
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- R4: A social, political and normative environment more favorable to the sexual and reproductive health and rights of VHP is created in target areas and at national level.
