Groupe des Religieux pour la Santé, le Développement et la Paix (GRSDP) (Religious actors for Health, Development, and Peace), is making remarkable progress in a complex environment, to improve the health of families. A WFDD team (Wilma Mui and Jean Marc Tiendrebeogo) were in Conakry from August 29 to September 3, 2026, part of a long-standing partnership. The visit was specifically focused on looking to future opportunities centered on GRSDP’s institutional capacity. It also served as an occasion for the Niger team lead to learn from GRSDP’s experience in implementing faith-engaged programming at scale, thus serving as an opportunity for cross-country knowledge sharing.
WFDD has engaged in reproductive health work with religious leaders in francophone West Africa since 2014. Three countries (Senegal, Guinea, and Niger) have deep ties and similarities to one another, but the context differs markedly. The approach that WFDD utilizes is not a carbon copy applied to each country, but an intentional process that draws out the strengths of its partners to address the barriers to family planning. A key component of the partnership is trust and mutual growth. GRSDP president Hadja Mariama Sow emphasized during the visit that GRSDP values the open and constructive relationship with WFDD and is receptive to practical feedback that can help strengthen its work. The consistent iterative process leads to more effective programming, increased investment, and a deeper partnership.
WFDD began its partnership with Guinean religious leaders in 2016, while accompanying Senegalese religious leaders in an exchange visit. GRSDP was created in 2017 and began its partnership with WFDD, focused on reproductive health (made possible by the support of the Hewlett Foundation) in 2018. In the intervening years, Guinea has made progress on the different health indicators, despite political instability, global pandemics, and disasters. Guinea’s reported fertility rate has dropped from 4.8 children in their lifetime (2018) to 4.1 (2024) but still remains well above the world average of 2.2. This is linked to high levels of maternal and child mortality and challenges to family welfare. The modern contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR) has increased steadily from 7.7 percent in 2012 to 16.5 percent in 2024. The Guinean government is actively engaged in and committed to improving maternal and child health as part of the Ouagadougou Partnership and a FP2030 renewed commitment.
In many regions of Guinea, GRSDP has developed a strong reputation for their work on family planning, maternal and child health, and emerging priorities (including COVID-19 in 2020). The organization is widely recognized for the seriousness and consistency with which it conducts its activities in communities throughout the country, facilitated by the large network of focal points, both religious and community leaders, based in the different communes. The work of GRSDP compliments that of the government and health structures. Its programming is conducted with the support of the Secretary General of Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Women, Family, and Social Solidarity, among others. Anecdotally, community members will often tell government officials that GRSDP have already visited their communities to conduct awareness-raising activities. This has reportedly led some officials to ask about GRSDP’s reach and ability to conduct extensive activities across the country.
During the visit, GRSDP organized a workshop entitled “Sensibilisation et échange sur les mécanismes de planification familiale selon nos religions” (Raising awareness and dialogue on family planning mechanisms according to our religions) in Conakry. The meeting brought together over 30 participants, including Muslim and Christian religious leaders, officials from the General Secretariat for Religious Affairs, media representatives, and traditional leaders, creating a space for dialogue and exchange, while providing an opportunity to jointly identify mechanisms for supporting families while respecting their religious convictions and dignity. GRSDP shared a short film highlighting their approaches and activities, which led into a technical presentation addressing mechanisms and approaches for discussing family planning within Muslim and Christian religious contexts. The presentation reviewed relevant religious teachings concerning health and well-being, with particular attention to family planning. A second presentation addressed gender-based violence from a religious perspective. Participants discussed different forms of gender-based violence, and the presenter emphasized that both Islam and Christianity reject violence and promote the protection and dignity of individuals and families.
Cross-country learning rounded out the workshop. The WFDD team shared the experience of CRSD/Niger, which was created in 2023. The two main activities implemented by the Niger team include: participatory theater activities with clients of Integrated Health Centers (CSI) in the five communal districts of Niamey, focusing on birth spacing and its compatibility with religious teachings; and awareness-raising sessions conducted in the compounds of traditional and customary leaders in communities surrounding Niamey, also focusing on birth spacing and religious teachings. GRSDP was inspired by the use of participatory theater and are exploring integrating that approach, particularly in engaging youth. The teams will also explore the possibility of an exchange visit, with the CRSD/Niger team going to Guinea to learn about their process.
This brings us to the future and sustainability of GRSDP and its work in reproductive health. The goal is to strengthen the organization could serve as a main grantee and drive the work more independently. With an eye to 2028, WFDD is committed to working closely with GRSDP to not only continue their work, but to innovate approaches, broaden reach, and strengthen capacity. The current approach and model are going strong, as Guinea is such a large country and many unreached areas remain, but there is room to grow. At this critical junction, it is crucial to go beyond touting successes, and to reflect on the challenges and identify gaps in order to continue to build a strong, lasting organization.
