UNFPA Maldives, 15 January 2003- The United Nations Population Fund UNFPA has undertaken a visit to Haa Alifu and Haa Dhaalu atolls to discuss the proposed UNFPA Third Country Program projects with stakeholders and project beneficiaries.

The UNFPA team led by Ms. Dunya Maumoon the National Program Officer for UNFPA was also accompanied by Dr. Mahmoodh Shaugee (Ministry of Education), Dr Abdul Azeez (Ministry of Health) and other government officials from concerned ministries. The team visited the islands of Kulhudufushi, Nolhivaramfaru, Nellaidhoo, Kumundhoo in Haa Dhaalu atoll and the islands of Dhidhoo, Utheemu, Ihavandhoo, Vashafaru and Baarah in Haa Alifu atoll.

During the mission, carried out from the 5th to the 9th of this month, discussions were carried out with the atoll and island Chiefs, the Regional Development Management Office, Island and Atoll population committee members, as well as health and education personnel at the Regional Hospital, Health centres/health posts and Atoll Education Centres and Secondary Schools.

Focus group discussions were also held with adult men and women as well as adolescents (school students) who are the intended beneficiaries of the program. Most of the discussions at the field level focused on improving reproductive health services and strengthening reproductive health information in schools and amongst adolescents in general.

Successful interventions were noted from the islands visited and attempts will be made to draw from lessons learnt for the future. The team received useful feedback in clarifying issues at atoll and island level as well as on feasible interventions to strengthen the proposed programs.  The urgent need to strengthen RH/FP services and addressing maternal mortality and morbidity was also observed. One important finding was the need to strengthen interventions providing information and services on RH/FP targeting men. 

Similarly, there was an identified need to strengthen information provided to adolescents on health issues in general as well as reproductive health specifically. UNFPA will place particular focus on facilitating/encouraging community initiatives in Reproductive health, population and development and women's empowerment in its third country program.

At a broader level, the third country program will focus on the areas of reproductive health, adolescent sexual and reproductive health and life skills, population and development including gender mainstreaming and media advocacy on gender equality through four projects.