Improving maternal health continues to be a priority of the Government of Guinea-Bissau and one of key commitments made at the ICPD@25 Nairobi Summit. UNFPA continues to support the Government of Guinea-Bissau to strengthen the national health system and One of the key interventions supported during the year was the review and update of the 2019-2024 Integrated Strategic Plan for Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) and development of the new Integrated Strategic Plan for Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) 2025-2030, with a view to capitalizing on technical and financial assistance for implementation.
UNFPA is investing in several key areas to strengthen the national health system, by providing training and support for midwives and nurses, ensuring essential medicines and supplies are available, and strengthening the healthcare supply chain to reach even the most remote communities. UNFPA is also working to improve the policy environment for reproductive health, advocating for strong strategies and legal frameworks.
Guinea-Bissau Annual Report 2024
Guinea-Bissau Annual Report 2024
Message From the Representative
It is with immense pride that I present the UNFPA Guinea-Bissau 2024 Annual Report, a testament to our collective resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment to advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender equality. Despite the complex socio-political landscape and lingering effects of the global situation, UNFPA, in collaboration with the government, civil society partners, and the communities we serve, has made significant strides towards a brighter future for the people of Guinea-Bissau.
This year, our efforts were guided by the transformative vision of the UNFPA Strategic Plan, national development priorities, and the crucial upcoming 2025 Population and Housing Census. We focused on strengthening health systems, expanding access to quality maternal health services, empowering women and girls, addressing gender-based violence, and ensuring the 2025 census is a resounding success.
Zalha Assoumana, UNFPA Representative in Guinea-Bissau
1,624
health professionals, including 400 midwives were trained by the National Health School of Guinea-Bissau with support from UNFPA.
33,335
assisted deliveries ensured with UNFPA support represented a significant impact on maternal health.
2
mobile clinics were handed over to the Government of Guinea-Bissau for the regions of Bafatá and Gabú.
1,557
births attended (an increase from 312 in 2018), 1,299 of which were vaginal births (84%), including cases of twin pregnancies, and 255 were cesarean deliveries (16%).
2,078
prenatal consultations carried out at the Buba health center. An increase from 58 in 2021.
25,753
new users of modern Family Planning methods in two rounds of community-based campaigns.
501,265
condoms were districted nationwide. Of these, 28,000 condoms were distributed through the dispensers placed in different locations in Bissau.
Advancing Gender Equality
In the pursuit of a just and equitable society, advancing gender equality remains a cornerstone of development efforts in Guinea-Bissau. From tackling deeply ingrained practices like Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) to empowering young women and strengthening community commitments to human rights, significant strides are being made. This section highlights key achievements and ongoing initiatives that are paving the way for a future where women and girls can thrive free from violence, inequality, and harmful traditions.
63
communities in the Bafatá and Gabu regions unanimously declared their commitment to upholding human rights and abandoning harmful practices that endanger the health of women and children, including Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
81
justice sector personnel, including magistrates, police officers, and lawyers, strengthened their skills on applying the Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Law and the Domestic Violence Law in their work.
26
technicians from protection service institutions strengthened their skills in Gender-Based Violence (GBV) case management and referral methods for GBV survivors.
100
young girls from the National Network of Young Women Leaders (RENJAELF) strengthened their skills in Female Leadership.
30
young women from different youth networks and universities strengthened their skills and abilities in various combined topics through mentoring sessions focused on aspects of personal and professional growth, including participation and development of individual plans.
4
inter-community meetings brought together 24 communities from Bafata and Gabu to share best practices in addressing human rights violations, specifically excision, child marriage, and gender-based violence.
100
young girls from the National Network of Young Women Leaders (RENJAELF) strengthened their skills in Female Leadership.
Empowering young people to attain their full potential
Young people hold the key to shaping a brighter and more inclusive future, yet unlocking their full potential requires strategic investments in education, health, and leadership. Through impactful initiatives, UNFPA has been at the forefront of creating opportunities for youth to thrive. From youth summer camps promoting peacebuilding and inclusive societies to cutting-edge resource centers fostering digital literacy, these efforts are not just interventions—they are pathways to empowerment, innovation, and long-term community transformation.
3,681
units of medical equipment and supplies were distributed to 15 health centers in the regions of Bafata, Gabu and Bissau, significantly strengthening healthcare delivery in these regions.
1,513
young people (724 girls and 789 boys, including 120 with disabilities) participated in holiday camps focused on peacebuilding and an inclusive society.
8
health centers were equipped with 50 wooden benches were supplied to improving the comfort and functionality of these facilities for patients and healthcare providers alike.
1
state-of-the-art youths’ Resource Center established in Bafata region.
39
healthcare professionals, including medical doctors, nurses, and midwives, were trained on delivering youth-friendly health services.
100
youth leaders in Bafata, Gabu, and Bissau were trained in in negotiation, conflict resolution, and non-violent communication to foster peaceful participation in the electoral process.
Harnessing Data for Development
UNFPA is spearheading the 5th Population and Housing Census in Guinea-Bissau. With the crucial preparatory phase now complete, the nation is poised to embark on the enumeration process in 2025. This milestone follows the successful completion of digital cartography, tabulation and analysis plans, and finalized questionnaires, all achieved with UNFPA's steadfast technical and financial support.
Through the Project for the Harmonisation and Improvement of Statistics in West and Central Africa, and with funding from the World Bank, UNFPA collaborated with the National Institute of Statistics (INE) to strengthen its technical and institutional capacities. This included recruiting three expert consultants – a Senior Technical Advisor, a Cartographer, and a CAPI Specialist – who worked closely with INE's technical directorate. Together, they defined methodologies, established timetables, developed training manuals, and provided comprehensive training to ICT agents, cartographers, survey agents, and field team leaders.
This collaborative effort ensured the technical quality of the pre-tests and the cartography and enumeration stages, laying a strong foundation for a successful census.
The national census team, now fully equipped and trained, stands ready to conduct the enumeration. UNFPA remains committed to diligently monitoring this critical final phase, advocating for its successful completion in 2025 to ensure a comprehensive and accurate population count for Guinea-Bissau.
300
IT equipment (including tablets, printers, plotters, notebooks) delivered to the National Institute of Statistics to support the 4th General Population and Housing Census operations.
244
diverse IT equipment’s (including printers, plotters, notebooks) delivered to the National Institute of Statistics to support the 4th General Population and Housing Census operations.
20
enumerators were trained in census data collection
300
agents were trained in cartography
70
cartographers and IT agents were trained to work on the Pilot Cartography test of the RGPH4 Cartographic Update.
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