Providing the needed resources and services to build a conducive environment for women and girls to make informed choices about their lives, bodies and well-being is at the heart of UNFPA’s work. With projections of an increase in unintended pregnancies and violence against women and girls during this COVID-19 period, UNFPA re-iterates the need to focus on the immediate needs of women.

On 3 July 2020, UNFPA The Gambia presented essntial reproductive health commodities to The Gambia Central Medical Store to support the country’s response to COVID-19. These products handed over by Mr. Alieu Jammeh, UNFPA’s Programme Analyst, Reproductive Health Commodity Security will help prevent unintended pregnancies and protect women from sexual and reproductive health complications. Speaking to the Senior Logistics Manager of the Central medical store, Mr. Jammeh emphasised the need for the distribution of the products to meet needs of the women in communities farthest behind.

Receiving the products on behalf of the Ministry of Health, Mr. Musa Saine, Senior Logistics Manager of the Central Medical Store noted that UNFPA’s partnership with the Ministry of Health has been a smooth sail for over 40 years. Expressing the Ministry’s gratitude to the UNFPA Country Office, Mr. Saine re-iterated the necessity for the female condoms as a substantial tool to promote safety while ensuring that women have full autonomy over their bodies and the choices they make.

As women are forced to stay at home because of COVID19, UNFPA will continue to invest in efforts to enable them live in dignity and health by ensuring that their safety and well-being is catered for.

Media contact:

Haddy Jonga - Programme Analyst Communications, UNFPA The Gambia jonga@unfpa.org       

Isatou Jallow - Communications Associate, UNFPA The Gambia ijallow@unfpa.org