PA-380 Advancing rights-based knowledge production in sexual and reproductive health by early-career researchers for advocacy: experience of implementation of a mentorship program in francophone Africa

Abstract

<h3>Background</h3> Few early-career researchers are working on rights-based knowledge production in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) in francophone Africa. To accelerate the generation and dissemination of evidence in the field of SRH and rights, young researchers need support. One form of support is the setting up of a mentorship program embedded in a researchers’ network. <h3>Methods</h3> We designed and implemented a mentorship program aiming to produce six original articles in SRH with a right-based perspective. Articles accepted were published in a special edition of a specialized peer review journal. The process included design and strategic dissemination of call for applications, three-stages selection process of mentees, identification of mentors according to the research topic of the mentees and building of six mentor-mentee dyads. It was completed by competency-based trainings on scientific writing and advocacy (in-person workshop and webinars), in-person/remote meetings and email exchanges between each mentee-mentor dyad and internal peer-review of manuscripts before submission to the journal. <h3>Results</h3> We selected six mentees (four women and two men) with medical, midwifery, demography and social sciences background. Their mean age was 35.2 and only two published a paper as first author. The addressed topics were related to identity effects of differential gender socialization on first child and marriage aspirations of adolescents, delivery experience, modern contraception use among adolescents and abortion. All the manuscripts are currently in the peer-review process for publication. The research results will be used to support advocacy activities in each context. <h3>Conclusion</h3> This mentorship program provides early-career researchers with research and advocacy skills. The network set up is an enabler for the continuous production of knowledge and its effective use to drive change for the benefit of the region’s communities.