Thousands Benefit from Women and Girls’ Friendly Spaces

News Desk

Islamabad: Twelve Women and Girls’ Friendly Spaces (WGFS) were established under a foreign-funded project to offer psycho-social support and referrals for protection services to women and girls.

Additionally, 37 facilities received support with equipment and commodities to sustain essential sexual and reproductive health services.

This assistance facilitated safe deliveries for over 15,000 babies and provided contraceptive commodities to more than 50,000 women.

Furthermore, approximately 450,000 individuals were informed about health services, gender-based violence, and family planning. Distribution of women dignity kits and newborn baby kits also took place.

The project, jointly implemented by UNFPA and the Government of Japan, aimed to expand life-saving emergency interventions to meet the needs of women and girls in seven districts of Sindh and Balochistan, heavily impacted by the 2022 floods.

The Government of Japan allocated $1.85 million to UNFPA to assist the most vulnerable women and girls in areas where health and protection services and infrastructure were damaged.

The initiative primarily focused on delivering life-saving sexual and reproductive health services and providing survivor-centered gender-based violence mitigation and response services to women and girls.

Addressing attendees at the closing ceremony, His Excellency Wada Mitsuhiro, Ambassador of Japan, emphasized the critical situation faced by pregnant women and the escalating risk of gender-based violence in flood-affected regions, including Qambar Shahdadkot, Naushahro Feroz, Khairpur, Larkana, and Dadu districts in Sindh, as well as Lasbela and Jhal Magsi districts in Balochistan. He underscored Japan’s commitment to prioritizing lifesaving sexual and reproductive healthcare services for pregnant women and preventing gender-based violence, recognizing women’s human rights as crucial for sustainable development.

Dr Luay Shabaneh, UNFPA Representative, highlighted the catastrophic impact of the floods on the private lives of women and girls, particularly those who were pregnant or had disabilities.

He noted the disproportionate burden borne by women in disasters and the insufficient attention given to their needs, emphasizing the importance of addressing their silent suffering.

Dr Sabina Durrani, Director General of the National Health Emergency Preparedness & Response Network, praised the longstanding relationship between Pakistan and Japan, noting Japan’s consistent support during crises.

She stressed the need for proactive investment in preparedness and resilience to reduce the costs of emergency response.

Dr Durrani also expressed gratitude for UNFPA’s assistance to Pakistan in maternal health and family planning initiatives.