By Philip Buda Ladu
Representatives from beneficiary groups and resilient organizations shared their sentiments on the impactful interventions of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in South Sudan. Beneficiaries expressed how UNFPA-supported programs have positively transformed their lives across the country.
The beneficiaries shared their gratitude during an “Open House Event” hosted by UNFPA that provided stakeholders with the opportunity to gain deeper insights into its programmatic achievement, challenges, and future goals.
Abee Evaline is a Midwife working at Juba Teaching Hospital and the Vice President of South Sudan Midwives Association, an association she said was established in 2011 with the support of UNFPA.
Abee cited that South Sudan in 2011 had only 8 midwives; however, there are now 3,000 midwives, a great achievement for women and girls in South Sudan.
She noted that South Sudan has the highest number of girls and women dying in pregnancy and childbirth in the world.
“About 12 women die every day in South Sudan from pregnancy and childbirth-related causes” Abee said. “Many studies have shown that well-trained and regulated midwives can prevent two third of maternal mortality deaths.
As a midwife, Ms. Abee promised to continue providing essential reproductive healthcare for all women and girls especially those in marginalized settings.
Everlyne Letio, the program coordinator of National Empowerment of Positive Women United and a founding member is another member of the resilient organizations supported by UNFPA and other donors.
“I have been living with HIV for more than 30 years and I say I will not die of AIDs because donors are supporting me with drugs Letio expressed her feelings,” she said.
Cicilia Nyatong Deng, a young female leader in the making and a pupil of St. Peters Nursery and Primary School also appreciated UNFPA for keeping girls in school through their programs.
“Thank you donors and UNFPA for helping us to stay at school and learn important information about our bodies and future. Continue to support us to make sure no girl is forced to leave school for marriage Nyatong said,” she said.
She called for equal education opportunities for both the girl and boy child stating that “if you educate the girls and leave out the boys then we are doing nothing and if you educate the boys and leave out the girls then we are totally doing nothing. We’re the seeds of this nation.”
Another beneficiary and a visually impaired girl identified only as Dalia emphasized that people with disabilities deserve to have access to equal health, education and services.
Dalia said they also deserve the same opportunities as everyone else to have healthy and fulfilling lives, adding that many people with disabilities face challenges in getting life support in access to education, healthcare services and information.
She, however, thanked UNFPA and the partners for helping her access sexual and reproductive health information and services, stating, “I have received information on managing my menstrual health and family planning. Let us all work together to make sure no one is left behind.”
Dr. Idyoro J. Ojukwu, is an Obstetrician and the Vice president of the Association of Gynecologists and Obstetricians of South Sudan.
She cited that a survey done in 2011 indicated that the country has only 15 obstetricians and gynecologists but thankfully the number has now increased to 69 and so many have qualified to be obstetricians.
Dr. Idyoro sadly expressed that maternal mortality is the major monster that she always carries along in her, urging for more efforts to be exerted to reduce the disease.
She said though UNFPA is delivering supplies to health facilities across the country more needed to be done on the ground in terms of providing those maternal healthcare services.
She challenged especially South Sudanese doctors that they are not doing enough to save the lives of expectant mothers and girls adding “the frustration you get on the ground is more than the frustration you get in the office”
Dr. Idyoro urged her fellows working with UNFPA to kindly utilize their free time just to go and serve mothers increasing at risk of maternal mortality at Juba Teaching hospital.
“The office work should be here, but let us reduce maternal mortality on the ground. We have women there who need our help, but they are not getting it,” Dr. Idyoro echoed.
Sarah Masale, the Acting Country Representative of UNFPA South Sudan said the “Open House Event” is not just to showcase the work that UNFPA is doing across South Sudan but to also recognise and appreciate the government leadership and celebrate the partnerships and collaborations that made it all possible.
She commended their donors who continue to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to advancing health, rights and well-being of women, girls and young people in this country.
“Your tireless efforts in ensuring that the communities we serve receive the critical services they need regarding maternal and newborn health, sexual and reproductive health, rights service, prevention of gender-based violence (GBV) and empowerment of young people” she expressed.
Masale also underscored that through their partnership with the National Bureau of Statistics they continue to work towards generating much-needed data for development in South Sudan.
Dr. Augustino T. Mayai, the Chairperson of the National Bureau of Statistics, said the Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare is working towards putting in place policies and laws that will protect young and vulnerable people.
“We have developed now a memo to the council of ministers, and when the cabinet hears the stories, they will have their own policy position, and then this policy position will be taken to the parliament for the law that is needed to protect you,” he said.
Michael Rymek, Canadian Charge de-Affairs in South Sudan noted that Canada has been a key contributor to international assistance to South Sudan in the form of supporting development, peace and security.
“Through UNFPA, Canada continues to support the training of healthcare providers to support health science institutions, while providing services and support to survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and improving attitudes towards sexual and reproductive health and rights and supporting gov’t in developing and implementing relevant polices,” he stated.
The “Open House” event showcased the results and achievements of UNFPA South Sudan’s interventions in the field of Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), maternal health, GBV prevention and response, youth development, population data and gender equality to partners, donors and other stakeholders.
It further exhibited the transformative outcome of the interventions through visual exhibitions, multimedia displays and interactive sessions with UNFPA staff and the communities they serve particularly young people.