01/12/2025
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
Regional Conference on Child Marriage & Sexual Violence Against Adolescents in West and Central Africa
📍 Dakar, Senegal | 📅 9–11 February 2026 | 🌍 Hybrid (In-person & Virtual)
The Population and Health Research Institute (PHERI), the African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC), and the Union for African Population Studies (UAPS) invite extended abstracts from junior and early-career researchers for a high-impact technical workshop and conference that will feed into a Special Issue of the Journal of African Population Studies (J**S).
West and Central Africa continues to face some of the world’s highest rates of child marriage and sexual violence against adolescents, driven by poverty, conflict, and limited access to services.
This conference will generate actionable, policy-relevant evidence to inform near-term country responses.
Who Should Apply?
Early-career researchers (5 years post-degree or current PhD candidates) working in or on West & Central Africa.
Co-authorship with youth groups, implementers, or service providers is encouraged.
Themes Include:
• Epidemiology & evidence on CM/SVAA
• Prevention & response strategies
• Data, research & innovation
• Policy, governance & accountability
• Youth engagement & empowerment
• Humanitarian and emergency contexts
Submission Requirements
An extended abstract of 500-800 words which includes:
• Title: Clear and concise
• Background: Context and rationale for the study/intervention
• Objectives: Specific aims of the research or programme
• Methodology: Research design, data sources, analytical approach, or programme implementation strategy
• Key Findings/Results: Main outcomes or lessons learnt
• Conclusions and Implications: Significance for policy, programming, or further research
• Keywords: 4-6 relevant keywords
Important Dates
Call Opens: 1 December 2025
Submission Deadline: 20 December 2025
Notification of acceptance: 12 January 2026
Conference: 9–11 February 2026
How to Submit
Email your abstract to [email protected]
Subject: Abstract Submission – WCAC – [Your Last Name]
Queries: [email protected]
Why Submit?
Accepted authors will receive:
✔ Mentorship through Author Clinics
✔ Opportunities to shape actionable country-level recommendations
✔ Participation in producing the Dakar Technical Action Note
✔ A publication opportunity in the J**S Special Issue (July 2026)
This conference supports continental efforts including the AU Campaign to End Child Marriage, the Ouagadougou Partnership, and the SDGs.
We look forward to welcoming you in Dakar!
Click here to read more about the call:
Call for Abstracts / Appel à communications Dec 1, 2025 | UAPS News Regional Conference on Child Marriage and Sexual Violence Against Adolescents in West and Central Africa Click Here for English Version Conférence régionale sur le mariage des enfants et les violences sexuelles à l’encontre...
