A vast majority of Togolese citizens strongly back sexual and reproductive rights for young women, according to new research published by Afrobarometer.

The report reveals that 91% of Togolese believe girls should be allowed to stay in school if they fall pregnant or have children. The findings follow growing public concern over teenage pregnancy across the country, where official figures recorded more than 2 200 school-age pregnancies during the 2024 to 2025 academic year.

Public backing for reproductive health awareness is similarly high, with 84% of respondents supporting sex education in schools.

More than half of those surveyed also believe contraceptives should be available to anyone who is sexually active, regardless of their age or marital status.

When it comes to broader independence, 86% of citizens maintain that women should be free to choose if and when to marry, while 65% say women ought to decide when and how many children to have.

On the issue of abortion, public views remain tightly bound to specific circumstances. Roughly two-thirds of Togolese consider termination justified if the pregnancy poses a threat to the woman’s health or life, and just over half support it in cases of rape or incest.

However, strong majorities firmly oppose abortion when driven by financial hardship or unwanted pregnancies generally.

–ChannelAfrica/ Afrobarometer —