The Deputy Executive Director for Programmes of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) was in the office of the Togolese President on Tuesday 1st March. Dr Diene Keita, congratulated President Faure Gnassingbé for the initiatives taken in favour of women and young people as well as the progress made in terms of female leadership. These different actions make Togo a model for the African continent. “In Togo, youth programmes are extremely important and you are a model for the whole continent” she said.
Indeed, UNFPA is the lead UN agency for sexual and reproductive health issues. Her mission is to create a world in which every pregnancy is wanted and every birth is safe. The UN agency also praised the “Wezou” programme, an initiative launched in August 2021 by the Togolese government to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rate. “We also talked about entrepreneurship programmes and women’s welfare. This is where the “Wezou” programme comes into its own ” said the UN agency’s authority.
Furthermore, Togo is the only African country whose National Assembly is chaired by a woman. This is a first in the history of the country and even in the sub-region. The Deputy Executive Director therefore did not fail to give credit to the government for its policy of promoting female leadership. She also expressed the willingness of the United Nations to support the country. ” Togo is truly a champion in terms of sustainable human development, this country is the only one on the continent that has a woman President of the National Assembly and a woman Prime Minister at the same time, and there are many women in positions of responsibility. ” declared Diene Keita.
Other concerns related to peace and the well-being of the continent’s populations, according to the United Nations’ 2030 and African Union’s 2063 agendas, were also discussed during the meeting.
UNFPA is a privileged partner of Togo in sustainable human development. It supports the country through several programmes grouped into three components: reproductive health, including sexual health of adolescents and young people, population and development, as well as gender and human rights.
