SBCC Training in Francophone West Africa: Overview, Lessons Learned, Challenges and Future Directions

Abstract

The study explores the SBCC training experience in Francophone West Africa and how training programs have been impacted by major pandemics that this region has experienced, COVID-19 particularly. To stay focused, we have selected Côte d’Ivoire as a case study because it is representative of Francophone African countries which faced political instability, pandemics and epidemics in the past two decades. Data were collected through desk review and interviews with key informants. Taking stock of the past to recent experience, both in long-term and academic training, and on-the-job and short-term training on one hand, and examining the influence of COVID-19 crisis on SBCC training in the country and sub-region on the other hand, lessons learned, and challenges ahead are identified. The paper focuses on multidisciplinary, multisectoral and sub-regional responses, e-learning, and professionalizing SBCC, as future directions.