Through innovation, UNFPA disrupts inequalities to ensure rights and choices for all, with no one left behind. We take down barriers to women and girls in obtaining services and exercising their right to sexual and reproductive health. Innovation accelerates progress on UNFPA's three transformative goals: zero unmet need for family planning, zero preventable maternal deaths and zero gender-based violence.
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What we do
Innovating for impact @WCARO
INNOVATING FOR IMPACT @WCARO
Why we innovate
How we innovate
Our approach to innovation is based on five strategic pillars:
- Strengthening corporate innovation architecture and capabilities
- Scaling innovation that have proven to be effective and impactful
- Forming new partnerships and connecting with relevant innovation ecosystems
- Strengthening and leveraging financing for innovation
- Expanding communities and culture for innovation
Telling the story of Innovation
Our solutions
We're testing over 100 solutions in our region. Swipe to check out some of them here:
Our initiatives
At UNFPA WCARO, innovation isn't just a buzzword; it's woven into the fabric of our work. We champion a culture of creativity and problem-solving, constantly seeking new ways to accelerate progress towards our three transformative results: ending preventable maternal deaths, unmet need for family planning, and gender-based violence and harmful practices.
We believe that innovation can spark positive change at every level. From supporting groundbreaking projects like PReSTrack in Sierra Leone, a digital health platform that monitors pregnancies and identifies high-risk cases, to internal initiatives like Reverse Mentoring, where junior staff share their fresh perspectives and knowledge with senior leaders.
Explore some of our projects here:
Pro'Tech Her Hackathon
UNFPA WCARO believes in the power of young people to drive innovation and create solutions for gender equality. Through hackathons like The Pro'Tech Her, held in Côte d'Ivoire, we bring together talented youth to develop tech-driven projects addressing gender-based violence, promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights, and empowering women and girls in the digital age.
PReSTrack
Access to timely and quality maternal health care is a critical challenge in many parts of West and Central Africa. PReSTrack, a digital health platform implemented in Sierra Leone, is a game-changer in addressing this bottleneck. By tracking pregnancies and flagging high-risk cases, PReSTrack enables rapid response and targeted interventions, ensuring that women receive the care they need, when they need it.
eConvivial ChatBot
Operating in the youngest region in the world, UNFPA WCARO is dedicated to providing accessible sexual and reproductive health information and services to young people. The eConvivial ChatBot provides a safe and discreet space for young people to access vital sexual and reproductive health information and support, empowering them to make informed choices about their health.
Reverse Mentoring
Innovation thrives in organizations that embrace continuous learning and knowledge sharing. UNFPA WCARO's Reverse Mentoring program flips the traditional mentoring model, allowing junior staff to share their fresh perspectives and technological expertise with senior leaders. This initiative fosters a dynamic exchange of ideas, promotes intergenerational collaboration, and ensures that our leadership stays informed and adaptable in a rapidly evolving world.
Innovation to Achieve the 3 Transformative Results
UNFPA WCARO's Acceleration Paper on Innovation is a strategic roadmap for promoting impactful innovation for the organization and its partners. It outlines key principles and priority areas for addressing challenges and accelerating progress towards UNFPA's transformative goals in West and Central Africa.
Learn more about our innovation strategy and its impact in the region.
DISCOVER HOW WCARO IS DRIVING THE UN 2.0 AGENDA
WCARO presents "Redefining Strength" at the inaugurial UN 2.0 Week
WCARO PROJECTS
Selected for the Summit of the Future UN 2.0 Digital Exhibition
