The International Day to End Obstetric Fistula and the International Midwifery Day events, organized under the leadership of the Ministry of Health with support from UNFPA Eritrea, were commemorated on the 13th of June 2022. The event started with a parade organized by the community and students marching in the street to highlight the devastating impact of obstetric fistula and other harmful practices. The event was organized in Mendefera, Zoba Debub, where the Governor and the Zoba Medical Director gave their welcoming remarks followed by presentations on the situation of obstetric fistula and the state of midwifery in Eritrea from the historical perspective of promoting successful practices and celebrating achievements, while recognizing gaps and discussing the way forward. The presentations gave the opportunity to raise awareness and build support in the community to end harmful practices such as FGM and underage marriage, and encourage skilled birth attendance and other good health practices.

As part of the joint resource allocations from the CERF, UNFPA received $170,000 in conjunction with the nutrition support geared towards the vulnerable groups affected by drought. In collaboration with UNICEF, the grant was used to procure essential food supplies, which were distributed to 17 maternity waiting homes in three zobas and reached .... number of beneficiaries, alleviating the challenges faced and increasing skilled birth attendance.

UNFPA was able to mobilize some funds from Canada to support the capacity building to address cervical and breast cancer in response to the support in addressing cervical and breast cancer. HPV vaccine was conducted nationally for the first time to girls ages 9-15 years of ages and UNFPA supported with logistical transport.

UNFPA Eritrea has been present at the meetings regarding the Validation of eMTCT of HIV and Syphilis. The Global plan towards the elimination of new HIV infections among children by 2015 and keeping their mothers alive provided the foundation for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission efforts. The plan focused on a series of specific policy and programmatic measures that countries took to ensure rapid progress towards elimination of new HIV infections in children by 2015. A key consideration for validation of a country for eliminating mother to child transmission of HIV and syphilis is that the interventions to reach the targets have been implemented in a manner consistent with international, regional and national human rights standards. These standards include human rights in relation to autonomy in decision making, informed consent, respect of privacy and confidentiality, freedom from violence, abuse and coercive practices and meaningful participation.

UNFPA in collaboration with the NUEW and other UN Agencies organized this year’s 16 Days Commemoration event, which was held under the themes “Unite to End Violence Against Women” & “Unite to a Sustained Peace”. Among the attendees were Mr. Tesfai Gebresalasie, Minister of Land Water & Environment and Ms. Fawzia Hashim, Minister of Justice. Mrs. Senait Mehari who stood in for Mrs. Tekea Tesfamichael (NUEW President) started off the commemoration event by thanking the health personnel who have been working through the COVID-19 pandemic and by taking a moment to remember those who lost their lives to it.

The government partners in the fight to eliminate FGM from Eritrea, namely Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Labour & Social Welfare (MOLSW) and the National Union of Eritrean Women (NUEW), have been working tirelessly for the elimination of FGM, early marriage and other harmful traditional practices. In line with this, some communities in zoba Anseba have been cleared as ready to denounce the practice based on the mapping exercise conducted in 2016-18 and 2020 as supported by both UNFPA and UNICEF. Thus, 70 villages of zoba Anseba in sub zobas of Halhal and Adi Teklezan organized their declaration to match with the date of FGM Zero tolerance day which is annually commemorated on February 6.

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global day celebrated annually on March 8 to commemorate the cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements of women. It is also a focal point in the women’s rights movement, bringing attention to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women. IWD became a mainstream global holiday following its adoption by the United Nations in 1977. Since then the IWD has been celebrated under different themes. The 2022 theme for the day was “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”. In Eritrea, IWD has been celebrated since the struggle for independence in the 1970s in recognition of the women who have contributed no less than men for the liberation struggle and the independence that was gained in 1991. To magnify more women’s rights and contributions to the struggle, the National Union of Eritrean Women (NUEW) was established during the period of struggle for independence back in 1979. Thus, the IWD, March 8 is celebrated colourfully at national level every year to remember women’s contribution.

The World Aids Day commemoration was started by a General Knowledge contest that took place in Orota Referral Hospital on the 19th of November. High school students competed on questions related to HIV/AIDS. The winners of which were rewarded on the 1st of December after a series of presentations and speeches including some by UNAIDS Country Representative Madam Therese U. Poirier and Sister Nighisty Tesfamichael, Head of HIV/AIDS & STD control unit. There was also an interview by professionals on the “Doctors in Studio” program. UNFPA Eritrea contributed to the production of brochures containing information on HIV/AIDS which were translated into the nine ethnic languages and distributed to the Sawa training center and other schools.

The population hit 8 billion on the 15th of November 2022. “World Population Day offers a moment to celebrate human progress. Our world, despite its challenges, is one where higher shares of people are educated and live healthier lives than at any previous point in history. Societies that invest in their people, in their rights and choices, have proven time and again that this is the road to the prosperity and peace that everyone wants—and deserves. We are each much more than a number, as is the human family. Numbers matter, but let’s count carefully. A resilient world of 8 billion, a world that upholds individual rights and choices, offers infinite possibilities – possibilities for people, societies and our shared planet to thrive and prosper.” Dr. Natalia Kanem