A Norwegian delegation led by H.E. Ms Laila Bokhari, State Secretary, and H.E. Andreas Gaarder, Ambassador of Norway to Ethiopia, visited on November 28 the resource center for students with disabilities and the Sexual and Reproductive Health Clinic set up at the Addis Ababa University. The center and the clinic are being run by the African AIDS Initiative International with the support of the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on the Right-Based Approach to Adolescent and Youth Development funded by the Norwegian Government.

During the visit H.E. Ms. Bokhari mentioned that improving access of students to gender sensitive Reproductive Health information and services was critical to enable them overcome challenges related particularly to HIV/AIDS and Sexual and Reproductive Health issues.

Dr. Admasu Tsegaye, President of the Addis Ababa University, noted during the visit that the resource center was playing an important role in upgrading the capacity of the university and was instrumental in fulfilling the information needs of disadvantaged students, especially those with disabilities.

The resource center for students with disabilities is equipped with 42 computers with internet connections and a reading room. The resource center is believed to contribute to lowering many of the barriers faced by students with disabilities and increase their capacity to handle a wide range of activities independently.

The UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme is in its second phase of implementation spanning the years 2014 to 2017.