2 May 2021, Duhok, Iraq - Ms Emily Lyons from the Government Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and UNFPA Representative to Iraq, Dr Rita Columbia, visited Duhok Governorate on 28 April, where UNFPA supports the provision of sexual and reproductive health (RH) and comprehensive gender-based violence (GBV) services through RH clinics, women social centres and youth centres.

DFAT and UNFPA representatives paid a visit to the reproductive health clinic, the women social centre and youth centre in Domiz camp as well as the women social centre in Domiz non-camp and the Sumel youth centre in Duhok.

The health service providers and partners in the clinic had an opportunity to exchange thoughts on the importance of quality, culturally and gender-sensitive sexual and reproductive health education and counselling and share their successes and challenges with Ms Lyons and Dr Columbia.

At the women centres, they listened to women and their stories that brought them to these centres, where survivors of gender-based violence could receive necessary services.  At the youth centres, they observed the ongoing sessions to enhance young people’s engagement and leadership.  

UNFPA wishes to thank Australia, Sweden – through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Canada, Norway, and the European Regional Development and Protection Programme for Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq (RDPP II) for supporting the reproductive health clinic, the women and youth centres in Domiz 1 camp and Domiz non-camp in Duhok.

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UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, delivers a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.

For more information or media inquiries please contact: Salwa Moussa, Communications Specialist, smoussa@unfpa.org