UNFPA provides support to women and girls affected by disaster in Sudurpaschim

Kathmandu: The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Nepal extended support to women and girls affected by the incidences of recent monsoon-related disasters in the Sudurpaschim Province.

The assistance package aims to address the sexual and reproductive health needs of women and girls affected by the disaster handed in partnership with provincial and local governments. It includes Reproductive Health (RH) Kits, dignity and Kishori kits. The RH Kits include drugs and supplies for Sexually Transmitted Infections, conducting deliveries, management of obstetric complications and rape treatment as well as contraceptives.

 Dignity and Kishori kits are designed to help maintain the menstrual and basic hygiene of a woman and girl, especially those most vulnerable and marginalized including pregnant and lactating women, during emergency situations, according to the UNFPA, Nepal. 

UNFPA has provided seven different sets of RH Kits, 462 Dignity Kits and 270 Kishori Kits to the displaced women and girls in Achham, Kailali and Darchula districts. These dignity kits contain geographically contextualized hygiene and protection related items coupled with Gender Based Violence prevention messages and referral pathways to reduce the vulnerability of women and girls to violence, UNFPA said.

 Speaking about UNFPA’s support, Country Representative, Young Hong stated, “During a crisis, women and girls are often more affected due to pre-existing gender inequalities with their sexual and reproductive health needs overlooked. Moreover, temporary homes and shelters put in place for affected communities may increase risks of gender-based violence. UNFPA is committed to ensure that we continue to support women and girls not just in Sudurpaschim, but in the broader context of Nepal, to ensure that Governments and key stakeholders remain ready to effectively respond to the needs of women and girls during a humanitarian crisis and beyond.”

UNFPA is also working with partners to support the Government of Nepal in assessing the medium and long term sexual and reproductive health needs during humanitarian emergencies to ensure that women and girls will continue to receive Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) including Gender Based Violence response services, the organisation said in a press note. 

It said it has able to pre-position around 70 different sets of RH Kits, over 10,000 Dignity and Kishori Kits with support from the Government of Australia, UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and European Union to mount an effective emergency response.