UNFPA team off to Bougainville

UNITED Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is in the process of developing a specific programme for the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
A UNFPA PNG-based team is in Bougainville this week conducting assessment for the region on programmes which UNFPA is running in the country.
UNFPA programme analyst Emma Powan said this was basically for programmes on reproductive health, youths and adolescents, gender, HIV prevention, population and deve­lopment.
“UN, as a whole, is embarking on a new strategy for Bougainville for 2012-15 to align with the government’s medium term development plan,” Powan said.
The team will meet with parliamentary leaders and NGOs and faith-based organisations to assess issues and challenges faced by stakeholders in Bougainville.
Tuesday’s discussion focused on progress on prevention and ways in reducing the prevalence rate in the next four years.
Feedback of various issues compiled included the ABG’s political commitment to HIV prevention, the people’s culture and religious sensitivity to HIV prevention programmes and stakeholders’ capacity level in successfully achieving positive outcomes.