The Resident Representative of the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA), Madam Ratidzai Ndhlovu, has praised the Liberian Government and People for the level of success scored thus far in addressing sexual reproductive health, particularly rape.

Madam Ndhlovu made the assertion Tuesday, August 27, 2013 when Foreign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan received her at the Foreign Ministry on Capitol Hill as she begins her tour of duty here in Liberia.

The new UNFPA Envoy who commended President Sirleaf for the country’s improved sexual reproductive health stated, “Also visible and tangible are the national efforts to address sexual reproductive health, particularly sexual and gender based violence, especially rape which seems to be one of the most recorded crimes in the country.”

“Within that context, I want to reassure you of UNFPA’s support in fighting teenage pregnancy and sexual based-violence and improving maternal mortality”, she continued.

She reaffirmed the UN’s agency’s support to the national efforts in addressing the needs of the young people who she noted constitutes 63% of the total national population.

The UNFPA Resident Representative then commended the Liberian Government through Minister Ngafuan for the value the Liberian Government attaches to data collection and analysis as evidenced by the successful completion of the past population census and the ongoing demographic health survey which she noted are critical for the joint-achievement of Liberia and UNFPA’s goals.

“I’m here as a humble servant of the Government and People of Liberia…. My vision is to see UNFPA contributing significantly to positively changing the lives of the disadvantaged women and young people of this country and I’m committed to supporting Government’s efforts”, she noted.

In response, Minister Ngafuan assured her of not only the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ collaboration but all government agencies that will be working in actualizing the noble objectives the UNFPA has set for Liberia.

While alluding Liberia’s recent celebration of a decade of peace to the country’s strong partnerships like UNFPA from which Liberia benefits, he stated: “UNFPA has been with us through thick and thin.”

The Liberian Foreign Minister recounted UNFPA’s help in restoring Liberia’s lost population data through its support to the Liberia Institute for Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS) on the 2010 National Housing and Population Census campaign. He also recalled other supports including the ones to Liberian women and children with a particular emphasis on the anti-rape campaign through the Ministry of Gender and Development.

While thanking the new UNFPA boss for her agency’s numerous contributions to Liberia, Minister Ngafuan spoke on the country’s battle with teenage pregnancy which he said is one of the highest, worsened by the civil war.

“We need to reduce that by giving our young men and women and everyone involved including those that do not treat our teenagers with that level of innocence some education and opportunities for jobs. And you’ve been around assisting us in various ways”, the Foreign Minister stated.