UNFPA compiled stories of “Youth SRHR Champions” in the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands with New Zealand support – Micronesia (Federated States of)
UNFPA compiled stories of “Youth SRHR Champions” in the ... ReliefWeb
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UNFPA Launches Compilation of Testimonies on Advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health in Micronesia and the Marshall Islands
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has released a compilation of testimonies from key government officials, NGO partners, and youth who have been leading efforts to promote sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights for young people in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). This project has been supported by the government of New Zealand.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Goal 4: Quality Education
- Goal 5: Gender Equality
According to estimates by UNFPA and the Pacific Community (SPC), 49% of the population in FSM is 24 years old or younger, while the same age cohort accounts for 59% in RMI. Both countries have been facing challenges in reducing teenage pregnancy and eliminating gender-based violence. “A key factor for successful economic growth depends on whether a country can harness the potential of young people and achieve ‘Demographic Dividends’ through investing resources in ensuring good health, including sexual and reproductive health, education, leadership development, youth employability, and promoting gender equality,” says Iori Kato, UNFPA Director for the Pacific and Representative in Fiji.
In this context, the UNFPA Pacific Sub-Regional Office (PSRO) has been assisting FSM and RMI in advancing universal access to sexual and reproductive health services, particularly for adolescents and youth. This assistance has been provided through the United Nations Pacific Strategy Fund, supported by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), with a funding of NZD 2.8 million received by UNFPA Pacific.
Implemented from July 2020 to September 2023, this project has achieved significant results in making sexual and reproductive health services more youth-friendly in both FSM and RMI, despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and climate crises. Both countries have developed national guidelines for adolescent and youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services. As a result of this project, 100% of secondary and tertiary health facilities in both countries now have at least one service provider trained to provide youth-friendly services. Additionally, FSM and RMI have decided to integrate comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), also known as Family Life Education (FLE) in the Pacific, into their school curricula. RMI has become one of the first countries in the Pacific to introduce FLE in primary schools for Grades 4-6, while FSM has implemented it for Grades 6-8.
The brochure titled “Stories of Change” compiles the journeys of key government officials and “youth SRHR Champions” who have contributed to these achievements through their testimonies. These stories were put together in partnership with UNFPA Pacific’s regional partner, Family Planning Australia. The launch event for these stories, held on September 28, 2023, was attended by over 50 participants, including the Ambassador of New Zealand to FSM, RMI, and Palau, H.E Mike Ketchen, officials from MFAT, senior officials from ministries and departments of health, education, culture, internal affairs, and other offices in both FSM and RMI, as well as representatives from NGOs, CSOs, and young people. UNFPA officials based in Pohnpei, Majuro, and Suva were also present.
Ambassador Ketchen expressed gratitude for UNFPA’s support in helping RMI and FSM learn from international best practices in sexual and reproductive health. He emphasized the importance of delivering these health services in a way that is appropriate to the unique social, cultural, and geographical contexts of each country. Ms. Francyne Wase-Jacklick, Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Human Services in RMI, highlighted the importance of considering youth SRH/RR in local-level development program planning and execution. She stressed the need for a whole-of-the-nation approach, including the engagement of CSOs and NGOs, to ensure that young people can access SRH services in a confidential and non-judgmental manner.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
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SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
- Indicator: The article mentions that the project supported by the government of New Zealand aimed to advance sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights for young people in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) through the provision of youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services.
-
SDG 4: Quality Education
- Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.
- Indicator: The article mentions that both FSM and RMI have decided to integrate comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), or Family Life Education (FLE), into their school curricular subjects.
-
SDG 5: Gender Equality
- Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
- Indicator: The article states that both FSM and RMI have been facing challenges in eliminating gender-based violence.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs. | The project supported by the government of New Zealand aimed to advance sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights for young people in FSM and RMI through the provision of youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services. |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development. | Both FSM and RMI have decided to integrate comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), or Family Life Education (FLE), into their school curricular subjects. |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation. | Both FSM and RMI have been facing challenges in eliminating gender-based violence. |
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Source: reliefweb.int
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