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…… Advocates for Women’s Empowerment, Family Planning amd representatives health.
By: Babagana Bukar Wakil, Maiduguri
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) plays a crucial role in advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights in West and Central Africa, addressing key challenges such as maternal mortality, unmet family planning needs, gender-based violence (GBV), and the vulnerabilities of women and girls in humanitarian crises. The region continues to grapple with high fertility rates, early and forced marriages, adolescent pregnancies, and fragile health systems, making UNFPA’s interventions vital for sustainable development and human rights.
The UNFPA Resident Representative for West and Central Africa, Alin Akpadji, stated this during a press briefing on the sidelines of the 5th Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum in Maiduguri, Borno State, northeast Nigeria.
Speaking to Dandal Kura Radio International, Akpadji outlined key focus areas of UNFPA’s work, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to reducing maternal mortality. He highlighted efforts to expand access to quality maternal healthcare by strengthening antenatal, childbirth, and postnatal services, as well as supporting emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmONC) to address life-threatening pregnancy and delivery complications.
He further noted that UNFPA is training midwives, nurses, and healthcare workers to improve skilled birth attendance, particularly in underserved communities, while also advocating for universal health coverage (UHC) to ensure every woman has access to life-saving maternal health services.
Akpadji underscored the importance of family planning and reproductive health, stressing that UNFPA provides modern contraceptive methods and counseling to prevent unintended pregnancies and empower women to make informed choices. He added that strengthening supply chains ensures uninterrupted access to contraceptives and essential reproductive health commodities.
He also emphasized UNFPA’s role in advocating for youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health education to address early pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). According to him, the agency implements GBV prevention and response programs, including safe spaces, psychological support, and legal assistance for survivors. He reiterated that UNFPA is working with governments and communities to end child marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), and other harmful traditional practices.
The UNFPA official further stated that efforts are being made to strengthen law enforcement and justice systems to hold perpetrators of GBV accountable. He highlighted the organization’s commitment to adolescent and youth reproductive health needs, including promoting comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) in schools and communities, providing youth-friendly health services such as contraceptive counseling and STI treatment, and encouraging male engagement in sexual and reproductive health discussions to foster gender equality.
Akpadji also spoke on strengthening healthcare systems and humanitarian responses, emphasizing that UNFPA is enhancing the capacity of national health systems to deliver quality sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, even in fragile settings. He noted that the agency provides lifesaving reproductive health services in humanitarian crises, including safe childbirth kits, emergency contraception, and post-rape care. He further stated that mobile health clinics have been deployed to reach displaced populations and communities in remote areas, while gender-responsive policies are being advocated to prioritize women’s and girls’ needs in humanitarian and post-conflict recovery efforts.
On gender equality and women’s empowerment, he stressed the need to support women’s economic empowerment by linking reproductive health services with education, vocational training, and financial literacy programs. He added that UNFPA collaborates with faith-based and traditional leaders to shift social norms and promote gender equality while campaigning for gender-responsive policies that ensure women’s voices are included in decision-making at all levels.
Regarding the use of data and innovation for better health outcomes, Akpadji revealed that UNFPA conducts demographic surveys to inform policies on health, education, and economic planning. He noted that digital health solutions and mobile platforms are being used to provide reproductive health information and services, while strengthening civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) ensures every birth is recorded, facilitating access to healthcare and social services.
Reflecting on UNFPA’s impact in West and Central Africa, Akpadji stated that through partnerships with governments, civil society, youth groups, and international organizations, the agency has contributed to increased contraceptive prevalence rates and a reduced unmet need for family planning. He noted that lower maternal mortality rates have been achieved in several countries through improved access to quality maternal health services. He further emphasized that awareness and advocacy against GBV have led to stronger legal protections for women and girls, while more inclusive policies for youth and adolescents have ensured greater access to reproductive health education and services.
He concluded by reaffirming UNFPA’s commitment to ensuring that even the most vulnerable populations, including refugees, displaced persons, and rural communities, receive the support they need for a healthier and more empowered future.
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