The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) plays crucial role in advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights in West and Central Africa.
The fund also addresses key challenges such as maternal mortality, unmet family planning needs, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and vulnerabilities of women and girls in humanitarian crises.
Alian Akpadji, the UNFPA Resident Representative for West and Central Africa, who represented Sennen Hounton, the fund’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa, said these during a news conference on the sidelines of the 5th Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum in Maiduguri.
He said the region had continued to grapple with many reproductive health issues amid fragile health systems, making UNFPA’s interventions vital for sustainable development and human rights.
He outlined key focus areas of UNFPA’s work, emphasising commitment to reducing maternal mortality.
He highlighted efforts to expand access to quality maternal healthcare by strengthening antenatal, childbirth, and postnatal services, as well as supporting Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) to address life-threatening pregnancy and delivery complications.
He further noted that “UNFPA is training midwives, nurses and healthcare workers to improve skilled birth attendance, particularly in underserved communities, while advocating Universal Health Coverage (UHC) to ensure every woman has access to life-saving maternal health services..”
He underscored the importance of family planning and reproductive health, stressing that UNFPA provides modern contraceptive methods and counselling to prevent unintended pregnancies and empower women to make informed choices.
The regional director added that strengthening supply chains ensures uninterrupted access to contraceptives and essential reproductive health commodities.
He emphasised UNFPA’s role in advocating youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health education to address early pregnancies and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
According to him, the fund implements GBV prevention and response programmes, including safe spaces, psychological support, and legal assistance for survivors.
“UNFPA is working with governments and communities to end child marriage, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), and other harmful traditional practices,” he added.
The UNFPA official further said that efforts are being made to strengthen law enforcement and justice systems to hold perpetrators of GBV accountable.
He highlighted the organisation’s commitment to adolescent and youth reproductive health needs, strengthening healthcare systems and humanitarian response.
He said “UNFPA is enhancing the capacity of national health systems to deliver quality Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services, even in fragile settings.
“The agency provides lifesaving reproductive health services in humanitarian crises, including safe childbirth kits, emergency contraception, and post-rape care.
“Mobile health clinics have been deployed to reach displaced populations and communities in remote areas, while gender-responsive policies are being advocated to prioritise women’s and girls’ needs in humanitarian and post-conflict recovery efforts.”
On gender equality and women’s empowerment, he stressed the need to support women’s economic empowerment by linking reproductive health services with education, vocational training, and financial literacy programmes.
He explained that UNFPA collaborates with faith-based and traditional leaders to shift social norms and promote gender equality, while campaigning for gender-responsive policies that ensure women’s voices are included in decision-making at all levels.
On the use of data and innovation for better health outcomes, Akpadji revealed that UNFPA conducts demographic surveys to inform policies on health, education, and economic planning.
He noted that digital health solutions and mobile platforms are being used to provide reproductive health information and services, while strengthening Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) to ensures every birth is recorded, facilitating access to healthcare and social services.
Reflecting on UNFPA’s impact in West and Central Africa, he said that through partnerships with governments, civil society, youth groups, and international organisations, the agency has contributed to increased contraceptive prevalence rates and a reduced unmet need for family planning.
He noted that lower maternal mortality rates had been achieved in several countries through improved access to quality maternal health services.
He emphasised that awareness and advocacy against GBV led to stronger legal protections for women and girls, while more inclusive policies for youth and adolescents ensured greater access to reproductive health education and services.
He reaffirmed the fund’s commitment to ensuring vulnerable and displaced persons received the support they needed for a healthier and more empowered future.(NAN)
