UN Population Fund ED Kanem to Visit Nigeria, West and Central Africa

The United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr. Natalia Kanem, will be visiting Nigeria from 24 to 28 November 2021 to renew UNFPA’s support and commitment for the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women, girls, and young people in Nigeria.

The Executive Director will be accompanied by the UNFPA Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Ms. Argentina Matavel Piccin, based in Dakar, Senegal.

During this official visit, the UNFPA Executive Director will shed light on the achievements, progress and challenges in implementing UNFPA’s mandate in Nigeria and the region, particularly in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

UNFPA Resident Representative for Nigeria, Ms. Ulla Mueller says all is set to host the Executive Director and her delegation. “We are delighted and honoured to welcome the Executive Director to Nigeria. Together with the Regional Director their visit will bring added impetus to our work. We are excited.” Remarked Ms. Ulla Mueller.

UNFPA Executive Director’s visit to Nigeria, and the region coincides with the start of this year’s 16 Days of Activism campaign, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls.

The Executive Director will engage with the Government, partners, beneficiaries and staff members. In this light, the UN Under-Secretary-General and UNFPA Executive Director and her delegation will be granted an audience by Nigeria’s President, H.E. Muhammadu Buhari, and members of government, including the Ministers of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Health, Women Affairs, Youth and Humanitarian Affairs.

In Nigeria, the Executive Director will also be accepting an Honorary Doctorate Degree from the University of Benin for her leadership and illustrious advocacy on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Gender Equality.

Dr. Natalia Kanem and Ms. Argentina Matavel Piccin will also visit the health care workers at the UN Severe Acute Respiratory Isolation and Treatment Center (SARI) in Abuja, and attend the STEAM Flagship graduation event. STEAM flagship is an entreneurship programme for GBV survivors.

They will also launch the Media Premier of Drama series on Gender-based Violence on the 25 November, as part of the 16 Days Activism commemoration. She will be meeting and engaging with young people from the University of Benin, Edo State to exchange views and ideas.

UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, delivers a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.

Omotayo Araoye

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