UNFPA country representative praises Odisha for progressive policies

Bhubaneswar: Diego Palacios, the UNFPA country representative to India and Bhutan, has met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik during his three days visit to the state.

Palacios congratulated the state government for adopting progressive policies for youth and women in the state.

He appreciated concerted efforts by the state government to reduce inequalities in access to maternal and reproductive health services and for health system strengthening which will address the long-standing issues of maternal and infant mortality.

The measures were undertaken by the state government for education and empowerment of tribal adolescent girls in the state also received attention during the discussions.

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has been working in Odisha for empowering young people, girls, and women with support to policies and programs in partnership with government as well as non-governmental agencies.

Some of the important interventions are promoting life skills education for adolescents in tribal residential schools, strengthening the response to gender-based violence, family planning program, and youth empowerment.

During the visit, he will be meeting with Ministers and officials from the departments of ST and SC Development, Sports and Youth Services, Women and Child Development and Health and Family Welfare.

The United Nations Population Fund is in the process of developing its next five-year Country Programme for the period 2018 to 2022 and the visit to the state was also aimed at drawing inputs for future programming.