UNDP/UNFPA Visit

A high level UNDP (United Nations Development Program) delegation visited VSHC on 25/04/14. They were excited about the strategic directions of the VSHC project on sexual and reproductive health. They were complimentary about the fact that the project was directed at empowering women and girls to better look after their reproductive health. The family planning agenda now is a broader one, which emphasizes women's rights for social and economic equity. Women are often burdened by unplanned pregnancies and what should be a joy ends up being a yoke.

Professor Rajat Gyaneshwar and Assoc Prof Swaran Naidu, the team leaders of the project, were invited to speak to the Pacific Secretaries of Health who were meeting at Denarau on 1st May. This meeting was organized by UNFPA and the theme was "Achieving universal access to reproductive health including family planning, services and commodities in the Pacific."

The EU funded project currently being implemented by VSHC was seen as an example of what can be done in reaching out to women about their health needs.

On May 11 on the Fiji 1 TV program "For the Record", the Ambassador for the European Union, His Excellency Mr Andrew Jacobs mentioned the EU project implemented by VSHC as an example of EU's involvement with NGOs for successful projects. He mentioned that the project was about empowerment of women through education regarding their reproductive health

Swaran speaking during UNDP delegation visit.