MSI Reproductive Choices: Evidence and insights
Objectives
The compendium aims to document and synthesise promising programme models that reduce adolescent girls’ risk of early pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and early marriage. It describes core intervention components, implementation strategies and enabling conditions, to guide governments, donors and practitioners in designing stronger, evidence-informed programmes for vulnerable girls in diverse settings.
Findings
The compendium finds that most effective models are multi-component and girl-centred, combining safe spaces, life skills, sexuality education, schooling support, health services and, in some cases, economic strengthening. These approaches are associated with improved knowledge, more gender-equitable attitudes, increased school participation and better use of reproductive health services, with indications of delayed marriage and pregnancy in several settings. However, evidence quality and consistency vary, and sustained impact depends on addressing structural barriers, engaging families and communities, and embedding interventions within existing systems and policies
Summary
This compendium brings together recent evidence and insights from Marie Stopes International’s programmes across multiple countries. It showcases how the organisation uses data and research to expand access to contraception and safe abortion, improve quality of care, reach adolescents and other underserved groups, and test innovative approaches such as human-centred design, task-sharing, poverty measurement and integration of family planning into health insurance schemes.
Purpose
The purpose of the compendium is to share practical, evidence-based lessons that can guide governments, donors and implementing partners in strengthening sexual and reproductive health programmes. It aims to demonstrate how a robust “evidence ecosystem” can drive equity, efficiency and quality in service delivery, and to encourage wider adoption and adaptation of proven approaches to better serve women and girls, including adolescents and those living in poverty.
Audience
The models are intended to guide governments, NGOs, donors and practitioners designing or adapting programmes for adolescent girls.
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