Kigali: September 2015: UNFPA in collaboration with the American Refugee Committee (ARC) will launch family planning services in Mahama Refugee Camp, Kirehe District, Eastern Province on Saturday 26 September 2015. The event will start at 9am.
The launch coincides with the World Contraception Day (WCD), which is celebrated each year on 26 September. The annual worldwide campaign aims to create a world where every pregnancy is wanted and is a reminder of commitments made by the global community to expand access to information and methods of family planning for women and couples.
The number of refugees in Mahama camp is currently 43,404 and this is likely to increase as Burundians are still fleeing from their country. Women of reproductive age are 24.2% of the total number, of whom more than 7 % are pregnant.
Since the initiation of FP service in the camp on 11 August 2015, a total of 207 women have received Family planning services in addition to those who were receiving family planning services before fleeing from Burundi. UNFPA in collaboration with ARC is currently conducting a six-day (21-26 September) awareness campaign on Adolescent sexual and Reproductive health targeting youth. The campaign also provides family planning sensitization for young women in the camp.
“Family planning services constitute a basic right of choice for women and signify their ability and willingness to plan their futures more carefully. When a woman is able to plan her pregnancies, she makes life decisions more effectively and guarantees empowerment of herself and her family,” said Mr. Jozef Maerien, UNFPA Representative.
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