The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) continues its work in promoting sexual and reproductive health and protecting the rights of women and adolescents. Under the project "WOMEN AND ADOLESCENTS ACCESS LIFE-SAVING HEALTH AND PROTECTION SERVICES,” UNFPA has delivered 170 dignity kits to refugee women in shelters located in the district of Veintiséis de Octubre, Piura.

The delivery event was attended by the distinguished participation of the district mayor, Engineer Víctor Hugo Febre Calle, Representative of the United Nations Population Fund in Peru, Hugo González, the social development manager of the city hall of Veintiséis de Octubre, Néstor Herrera, the representative of CEM Piura, Ingrid Ramírez, and the representative of the Sexual and Reproductive Health Functional Unit of DIRESA Piura, Obstetrician Pablo Sacarías.

The purpose of delivering these dignity kits is to support women in vulnerable situations, such as those caused by heavy rains, which can affect their access to sexual and reproductive health services. These situations can lead to disruptions in the use of contraceptive methods, complications in pregnancy, and even the loss of the baby.

Hugo González, Representative of the United Nations Population Fund in Peru, emphasized the importance of being present in these situations and providing support to women. He expressed gratitude for the efforts of local governments and institutions working to safeguard the lives and well-being of women.

UNFPA focuses on three transformative results: (i) ending preventable maternal deaths, (ii) addressing unmet family planning needs, and (iii) eradicating gender-based violence. In emergencies, such as the current one due to heavy rains, gender-based violence tends to increase, and protection and care systems are affected. Therefore, UNFPA deploys teams of health professionals and specialists in gender-based violence case management to ensure access to counseling, information, family planning services, and healthcare promoting healthy and safe motherhood. 

In addition to delivering dignity kits, community awareness activities are being carried out, and the technical skills of key actors in preventing and responding to gender-based violence in emergency situations are being strengthened. The goal is to ensure that affected women and adolescents have access to life-saving sexual and reproductive health services and effective responses to gender-based violence.

UNFPA reaffirms its commitment to empowering women and adolescents to make informed decisions about their lives, bodies, and futures. The eradication of gender-based violence and harmful practices is a priority. No woman, adolescent, or girl should be left behind!