Togo
HI's objective in Togo is to reduce inequalities and improve the living conditions of vulnerable people and people with disabilities. Our programme seeks to promote the development of an inclusive society.
Students burst out laughing during a participatory theater performance by the association Nyagbe ("the word") at the Lycée Gbodjomé in Goumoukopé. | © A. Surprenant / MYOP / HI
Actions in process
In Togo, HI is running a project to improve access to sexual and reproductive health services and rights, with a focus on women and girls. The approach developed is inclusive, the objective being to take into account the needs of vulnerable groups, such as adolescent girls and women with disabilities. HI is working in liaison with health centres, schools and civil society organisations on this project. Together, they organise training, awareness-raising sessions and advocacy actions and HI is also training teenagers to become peer educators so that they can disseminate good practices among their age group.
The school system in Togo is not sufficiently adapted to the needs of children with disabilities. HI is therefore running a project to ensure inclusive access to primary and secondary school and to develop vocational training for children and young people with disabilities. Alongside schools and public authorities, HI is raising awareness of inclusive education and adapted teaching methods.
Our teams train teachers, support schools, provide educational resource centres and work to ensure that disability and the adaptations needed to make services more accessible are incorporated into government directives.
HI is engaged in the promotion and strengthening of disability rights, with a particular focus on gender discrimination. To this end, the programme supports civil society organisations that fight violence against women by strengthening their skills and encouraging them to share good practices.
Lastly, HI is working with the country's other humanitarian actors to help them develop a more inclusive response and give greater consideration to the specific needs of the most vulnerable populations.
Areas of intervention
concretely
Situation of the country
Although rich in natural resources such as gold and phosphate, inequality and poverty in Togo remain extremely high, especially among people with disabilities who face numerous barriers.
Situated in West Africa, Togo has experienced several political crises linked to the organisation of presidential elections. Indeed, although the country has had a democratic regime since independence, these strongly contested elections have caused considerable unrest.
More than half of Togo’s population still lives below the poverty line.
Today, the country is facing a growing terrorist threat due to its porous borders with Burkina Faso, which has been plagued by terrorist attacks since January 2015.
Negative societal perceptions of disability and a lack of accessible infrastructure mean that people with disabilities are often excluded from education and do not have equal access to services, such as care. However, these issues are becoming more visible, mainly thanks to the advocacy work carried out by organisations of people with disabilities. HI is taking steps to change this situation in collaboration with its many governmental and non-governmental partners.
Number of HI staff members: 41
Date the programme opened: 1992
