Evaluation of MSI REPRODUCTIVE CHOICES AFGHANISTAN, with a focus on the project funded by Sweden

The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) has been giving project support to MSI Reproductive Choices Afghanistan (MSIA) 2012 in consequent phases. MSlA works with sexual and reproductive health and rights, raising awareness and increasing access for women to affordable services and products preventing unintended pregnancies and maternal deaths. The new regime has allowed MSIA to continue with most projects as before.

With support from Sida, MSIA is currently undertaking Sida supported activities in Afghanistan's eight provinces (Kabul, Balkh, Herat, Kandahar, Kunduz, Nangahar, Jawzjan, and Helmand). Sida funds seven MSIA centres, four mobile health teams, 250 community health workers (CHWs) and 13 MS Ladies who provide quality reproductive health services to women and girls in Afghanistan. MSIA reaches women and girls in remote, rural, semi-urban and urban areas through these different channels. Emphasis is placed on expanding community understanding and acceptance of SRHR services, increasing demand among women and couples and improving access. In 2021, 109,629 women and girls in Afghanistan had access to high-quality SRHR information, education, and services as a result of the Sida project.

The evaluation object was MSI’s programme in Afghanistan, with a particular focus on the Swedish funded project. Sida wanted to better understand how the Swedish funded project relates to MSIA’s overall program and strategy in Afghanistan and how Sweden, through the choice of partners and areas of focus, can best support the strengthening of reproductive services in Afghanistan.

The evaluation was carried out as Sida’s support to MSIA is ending and Sida plans to assess continued support to MSIA’s program. Sida has funded the program for ten years but not commissioned any specific evaluation, even though Sida’s contribution to the program was included in the 2015 evaluation of MSIA’s program. I

The objective of this evaluation was to provide Sida with information on the results, value added and role of MSIA and MSIA’s work in Afghanistan. The purpose was also to provide Sida with a sound basis for an assessment of future support to SRHR in Afghanistan.