Japan, UNFPA Launch Project to Support Health Services for Vulnerable Women

ADDIS ABABA – Japan and UNFPA launched a joint project aiming to restore maternal and reproductive health services for vulnerable women and girls residing in two Ethiopian regions.

The year-long project, titled ‘Addressing Gender-based Violence (GBV) and Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH)’, was launched on Monday.

It will target ten districts, in Amhara and Benishangul-Gumuz regions, impacted by conflict and the COVID 19 pandemic, said the Japanese embassy and UN Population Fund (UNFPA).

Nearly 80,000 people will be reached in the two regions with lifesaving information on SRH and GBV services.

Activities under the project also involve training of service providers and the provision of equipment, supplies such as personal protective equipment (PPE) and ambulances.

“Working together, UNFPA and Japan will be able to accelerate the restoration of critical maternal and reproductive health services for vulnerable women, girls and youth,” said Esperance Fundira, UNFPA Officer-in-Charge in Ethiopia.

Japan has financed nearly a million USD to the project that will be implemented by the UNFPA in collaboration with regional health offices.

“In addition to contributing to the Africa Health and Wellbeing Initiative, the attainment of UHC is one of the pillars of Japan’s cooperation with Africa,” said Ito Takako, Ambassador of Japan to Ethiopia.

“It is my great pleasure to be able to contribute to the Ethiopian people’s health and well-being,” the Ambassador added.

In the past twelve months, the government of Japan has given $14 million humanitarian assistance to Ethiopia. Almost all supports United Nations sponsored projects.