UNFPA Asia Pacific Regional Director meets PM & State Ministers

The Asia Pacific Regional Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Pio Smith who is currently on an official visit to Sri Lanka, paid a courtesy call to Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, the State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya, and State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe today (Feb. 29).

Discussions with Prime Minister Gunawardena centered on gender-based violence (GBV), demographic dynamics in Sri Lanka, and UNFPA’s commitment to strengthening sexual and reproductive health (SRH).

Acknowledging Sri Lanka’s endeavors to advance women’s empowerment and gender equality, Mr. Smith explored ways to bolster the nation's pursuit of rights and options for all residents, with a particular focus on equal chances for women and girls.

There, Pio Smith underlined the UNFPA’s support for the development of the Sri Lanka Strategy for the Development of Statistics in partnership with the World Bank and stressed the necessity of updating the statistics system to guarantee accurate data availability for well-informed decision-making.

The UNFPA’s Regional Director underscored the need of coordinating Sri Lanka’s policies with the objectives specified in the ICPD Programme of Action, stressing the necessity of persistent endeavors to tackle obstacles and deficiencies, at the meeting with the State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya.

In keeping with its international commitments and normative frameworks, UNFPA reaffirmed its commitment to assist the Government of Sri Lanka in attaining gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Discussions with State Minister Balasuriya focused on the gender aspects in particular of climate resilience and highlighted inclusive measures that address shifting demographics and the effects of climate change.

Besides, Mr. Smith laid further emphasis on the need of promoting gender parity and eliminating barriers to equal opportunity in order to bring Sri Lanka’s labor force into good use, during talks held with State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe.

UNFPA pledged to support Sri Lanka's government in addressing socio-economic crises, including maternal health and contraceptive needs, through innovative and agile responses.

In addition, the UNFPA Sri Lanka restated its backing for the creation of a National Commission on Women and the National Policy on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment, as well as important legislation pertaining to these issues.

There, the UNFPA also highlighted the technical support it will provide to the Department of Census and Statistics for the 2024 Population and Housing Census, including resource mobilization at the request of the Sri Lankan Government.

Picture Courtesy: UNFPA SRI LANKA