UNFPA’s Regional Director calls for further investment in family planning and maternal health

MAPUTO, Moçambique - The United Nations Population Fund Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Ms. Lydia Zigomo, visited Mozambique between 26 and 30 September. The objective of her visit was to assess the impact and relevance of UNFPA in supporting national strategies and response plans for communities affected by conflict and natural disasters.

During her visit, Ms. Lydia Zigomo engaged with key partners from the Government, civil society, national and international partners, and the United Nations Country Team in strategic discussions around protecting and promoting human rights, with a focus on gender equality and universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights throughout Mozambique.

She witnessed UNFPA’s work in the north of the country to restore a protective and healthy environment and build the resilience of displaced adolescent girls, women, young people, and host communities in northern Mozambique. Accompanied by UNFPA Resident Representative, Ms. Bérangère Böell, she heard moving accounts from internally displaced people and returnees in the districts of Metuge and Mocimboa da Praia.

“The women and girls made it clear that more than anything else, they want to return to their lives. They long to go back home, see their children return to their own schools, and continue to make a living for themselves, and no longer have to wait for aid,” shared the UNFPA Regional Director.

In Cabo Delgado, UNFPA’s Regional Director had the opportunity to recognize the efforts being deployed by UNFPA to provide health services to the most in need through mobile brigades, containerized operation theaters, and to visit women and girls-friendly spaces in these critical areas where medical and social services are provided.

Ms. Zigomo visit was also a great opportunity to share and reflect on UNFPA’s revitalized support to the government of Mozambique in the new phase of accelerated progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, in particular, SDG3 on health, SDG4 on education and SDG5 on gender equality.

"It is gratifying to witness the leadership of the Government of Mozambique in addressing the humanitarian and development needs of people in the north of the country. UNFPA will continue to support the Government to uphold human rights and promote peace and sustainable development for all Mozambicans”, reiterated Ms. Lydia Zigoma.

For the UNFPA’s Regional Director is urgent to invest in development and resilience-building to further promote human rights and social justice but also to limit the impact of natural disasters and help prevent future ones.

Ms. Zigomo called on the government of Mozambique and development partners to increase investments in family planning and maternal health for the whole country reiterating that the education of girls must be enhanced for the sustainable and inclusive development of the country this requires increased efforts to end child marriage and teen pregnancy first and foremost.

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About UNFPA

Creating a world where all pregnancies are wanted, all births are safe and the potential of all young people is realized.

UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is the UN agency with the mandate of reproductive health, which addresses population issues and is responsible for expanding the possibilities for women and young people to lead healthy sexual and reproductive lives. UNFPA works to accelerate universal access to sexual and reproductive health, including voluntary family planning and safe motherhood, and seeks to realize the rights and opportunities of young people.

UNFPA also supports countries to use population data to anticipate future challenges; offering technical assistance that strengthens and empowers its partners.

Biography of Lydia Zigomo

Ms. Lydia Zigomo is UNFPA's Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa. Ms. Zigomo provides strategic oversight, support and technical expertise to 23 country offices and partners in the region, who work on the ground to improve people's lives by equipping them with advice, training and support.
Previously, she worked at Oxfam International as Director of Global Programs and then Regional Director, in Nairobi, Kenya. Before that, she was Regional Director for Water Aid in East Africa.

Ms. Zigomo began her career as a lawyer in Harare, Zimbabwe, before entering the development sector in 1998. She holds a Master's degree in Civil Liberties and Human Rights Law from the University of Leicester, UK, and a Bachelor's degree in Law from the University of Zimbabwe.

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