Ensuring equitable access to sexual and reproductive health and rights
Breaking taboos and promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are central to L’Initiative’s commitments. The projects it supports strengthen prevention, screening, and access to care through integrated approaches. Particular emphasis is placed on the prevention of mother-to- child transmission of infections, as well as on cervical cancer screening and treatment. By backing innovative initiatives rooted in local realities, L’Initiative contributes to strengthening health systems and promoting fairer, more inclusive care pathways for those most at risk.
Acting for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission
In sub-Saharan Africa, mother-to-child transmission of HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis remains a major public health challenge. L’Initiative supports the global triple elimination goal led by the WHO by backing the TRI-MOM project in The Gambia and Burkina Faso, implemented by the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD). This project includes routine screening within maternal health services. In 2024, 550 pregnant women were tested and supported throughout their pregnancy.
TRI-MOM: Advancing triple elimination of HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis in West Africa
Between 2005 and 2014, one million lives were saved in Africa thanks to the integration of HIV and syphilis testing and treatment into healthcare services. However, hepatitis B remained largely overlooked in public health priorities, despite affecting between 10% and 20% of people living with HIV in the region. Research professor Sylvie Boyer coordinates the TRI-MOM project, implemented in The Gambia and Burkina Faso, which aims to pilot and evaluate a strategy for the triple elimination of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B among pregnant women.
Strengthening cervical cancer prevention
Cervical cancer is the only cancer that can be prevented if detected early. Human papillomavirus (HPV) screening plays a crucial role in this process. L’Initiative supports several complementary approaches based on community health and access to local healthcare services to strengthen screening, carry out prevention activities, and enable prompt care if infection is detected. This is especially critical for women living with HIV, who are six times more likely to develop cervical cancer.
The management of HPV and cervical cancer for women living with HPV in Cambodia
With technical assistance from L’Initiative, the Cambodia’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Dermatology and STDs (NCHADS) developed standard operating procedures to support cervical cancer screening among women living with HIV receiving care at antiretroviral therapy sites. This project includes an action plan for HPV testing and referrals, aiming to integrate cervical cancer screening into HIV care services. Dr Kennarey Seang collaborated with NCHADS to supervise the development and implementation of the plan.
SUCCESS: Preventing HPV to fight cervical cancer
L’Initiative, in partnership with Unitaid since 2020, supports the Scale Up Cervical Cancer Elimination with Secondary Prevention Strategy program, known as SUCCESS, implemented in about ten countries. Led by Médecins du Monde in San-Pédro, Côte d’Ivoire, this program fights cervical cancer through awareness, screening, and HPV management, thanks to the work of community health workers.
