4 December 2024, Mekelle, Tigray region: UNFPA Ethiopia is proud to announce its partnership with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). This collaboration between UNFPA and JICA is established to empower women and girls through menstrual health, hygiene and livelihood promotion in an inclusive co-creation approach.  

This project aim focuses on empowering women and girls by generating  evidence on menstrual health and hygiene management,  fostering awareness on menstrual health and hygiene management through workshops and the production of a short video and enhancing livelihoods by providing training on producing reusable sanitary products. Additionally, the initiative seeks to mobilize resources by engaging the untapped stakeholders, partners, and potential donors, ensuring access to affordable, quality reusable sanitary products. 

Mr. Kensuke Oshima, the Chief Representative at JICA Ethiopia, emphasized during the signing ceremony: “I’d like to emphasize that the uniqueness of our Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Project lies in its inclusive co-creation approach. MHM is a cross-sectoral issue, and assistance from JICA alone cannot achieve sustainable change. We believe that, by collaborating with UNFPA, NGOs, the Government of Ethiopia, the private sector, and others,  we can better understand the actual situation and be able to create a holistic environment to solve the issue.”

“Livelihoods are critical for the recovery effort, and our government is committed to support partners looking to transfer skills and provide start-up capital.” Ms. Freweyni Gebregizabhair,  Head of Tigray Region’s Bureau of Women’s Affairs. 

In the wake of conflict and severe socio-economic challenges in the Tigray region, women and adolescent girls remain disproportionately affected. Many of them lack access to essential menstrual supplies, adequate facilities for menstrual health, and education on menstrual hygiene. This gap leads to serious health risks, including reproductive and urinary tract infections, which may result in infertility and complications during childbirth. 

“This innovative partnership between JICA and UNFPA will enhance efforts in achieving sustainable development goals. The collaboration will accelerate private sector involvement through a practical model of Public-Private Partnerships aligned with the strategic partnership agreement between ITOCHU Corporation and UNFPA signed in February 2024.” said Mr. Taiwo Oluyomi, UNFPA Deputy Representative. 

The partnership with JICA is critical for UNFPA in realizing its vision to deliver a world where every young person is empowered with the knowledge and skills to safeguard their well-being and make informed decisions. Aligned with the UNFPA Country Programme, this initiative will contribute to the objectives of improving comprehensive sexual and reproductive health service provision and enhancing adolescents’ and youth’s capacity to make informed choices about their Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) within an enabling environment that promotes their health and wellbeing”. 

The signing ceremony was attended by high-level officials from the Bureau of Women, the Embassy of Japan, ITOCHU Corporation and the partner, Be-A Japan and MAA Garment and Textiles, and the UNFPA’s partners.