UNFPA and Japan Embassy donate sanitary pads worth N.dollars 220 000

WINDHOEK: The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), together with the Embassy of Japan in Namibia on Monday donated sanitary pads worth over N.dollars 220 000 to girls in six regions of the country. Minister of Education, Arts and Culture, Anna Nghipondoka shared her gratitude during the handing over ceremony at the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) head office. She said the donations, made possible by the UNFPA Namibia Country Office, with the generous financial support from the Japanese Supplementary Budget under the project 'Leaving No One Behind' stands as a commitment to tackling period poverty. The donations consist of 24 000 packs of sanitary pads to benefit 6 000 vulnerable adolescent girls across the Khomas, Kunene, Omusati, Ohangwena, Zambezi and Erongo regions. 'Period poverty, as many of us are aware, is not merely a matter of discomfort, but a barrier that can disrupt education, hinder participation in sports, and affect social engagement. For countless girls, it represents a s ignificant obstacle to their right to education, health and dignity,' Nghipondoka stated. She described the contribution as a symbol of solidarity and powerful step towards ensuring that every girl has the opportunity to stay in school, perform well, and participate fully, in all aspects of life. UNFPA Namibia Representative, Erika Goldson said restoring dignity and reshaping the future for women, girls, men and boys, while mitigating gender-based violence and negative sexual and reproductive health outcomes, have been instrumental in addressing key health challenges in Namibia. Aside from the sanitary pads to the Education Ministry, the project also donated 67-bed screens on castors, eight ward screening gynaecological couches, six adult physician scales on beam balances, 15 cardiotocography (CTG) machines, three mobile ultrasound scanners with printers and accessories, and six Doppler foetal heart rate detector monitors with accessories to the MoHSS. It further availed a Mobile Clinic Van to the One Eco nomy Foundation as part of its commitment to enhancing the health and well-being of Namibians. All donated items had a combined total value of N.dollars 3 million. Source: The Namibia News Agency