UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador Mission to Ethiopia

From 18th to 27th February, UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador Yuko Arimori visited Ethiopia on a JOICFP-organized mission. This was her second mission to Africa, and she went to see firsthand the critically interrelated health issues of safe motherhood, adolescent reproductive health (ARH), HIV/AIDS, family planning (FP), and harmful traditional practices.

(Click here for a UNFPA profile of Ethiopia)

The mission was intended to strengthen advocacy on these issues to the Ethiopian public and policy makers, and in Japan to the public.

Arimori, accompanied by JOICFP, observed activities in several regions around the country, including the inauguration of a maternity ward at St. Mary's Hospital, Axum, Tigray Region. The ceremony was attended by the First Lady, the Minister of Health, local dignitaries, UNFPA representatives, and civil society members.

Strengthening emergency maternal obstetric care (EMOC)
to improve maternal health

In Durame, SNNP Region, Arimori visited the Kembatta Women's Self-help Center (KMG), which empowers women to support their rights to be free of harmful practices such as female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and other forms of abuse.

Protecting women's rights

(Click here for more details about KMG and how it started)

HIV & Adolescents

At Addis Ababa University, Arimori led a mini-run with another Olympic medalist and national Honorary Ambassador, UNFPA Ethiopia, Meseret Defar, accompanied by over 300 students. After the race, Arimori visited the university Voluntary Counseling and Testing Center, and Resource Center for female students, both supported by UNFPA.

Entertainment with education

In a visit to the FGAE model Yirgalem Youth Center, Arimori saw how UNFPA and FGAE are partners in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and how they disseminate RH/FP services and information on maternal health.

Working with adolescents

Arimori also saw how UNFPA is supporting the program to end fistula at Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, which treats around 1,500 women a year.

(Click here for details of UNFPA fight against fistula)

Fighting fistula

Arimori said she had been pleased to visit Ethiopia and meet the people with their long history and traditions, but that FGM/C and gender issues were serious problems. There was a bright future though, in the activities of KMG, and she was impressed by the support given to women's leadership at the university.

"Once we have started... we must finish"
Ethiopia's legends lend support