A delegation of senior officials of the Government of Canada and UNFPA today visited programme intervention sites on response to gender-based violence and improving sexual and reproductive health being supported by UNFPA in the Sidama Region. The delegation also held discussions with senior officials of the Sidama Region on strengthening partnership on programmes empowering vulnerable women and girls as well as adolescents and young people.

The delegation composed of Kathie Oginsky, First Secretary and Team Lead at Global Affairs Canada; Jocelyn Sweet, Senior Officer, International Assistance at Global Affairs Canada; and Sarah Masale, Deputy Representative of UNFPA Ethiopia visited the safe house for survivors of gender-based violence in Hawassa City operated by the Association for Women Sanctuary and Development (AWSAD) with support from UNFPA. Discussion was held with AWSAD personnel running the safe house and the survivors sheltered there. The delegation was also given a tour of the facilities of the safe house. The UNFPA supported youth friendly service corner and the maternal health ward at the Adare Health Center in Hawassa City was also visited by the delegation.

At the meeting with the senior officials of the Bureau of Finance and sector bureaus of the Sidama Region, the delegation was presented with an overview of the programmes on the empowerment of women and girls as well as improvement of the health of adolescents and young people. Discussion was also held on strengthening partnerships.

The Government of Canada has since 2018 been funding a UNFPA supported programme on preventing and responding to sexual and gender-based violence in all regions in Ethiopia, including the Sidama Region, committing a total of 15 million Canadian dollars.