DUSHANBE, 09.03.2017. /NIAT “Khovar”/. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Tajikistan Mr. Hajime KITAOKA and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Director for Tajikistan Ms. Mieko YABUTA on March 9 have signed an agreement on the Japanese Government’s financial contribution of 1,714,932 US dollars to UNFPA to support “Strengthening of the National Family Planning (FP) services” project for the period of 2017–2020.

According to the Embassy of Japan in Tajikistan, the Japanese funding will support further strengthening of FP services in Tajikistan through procurement of contraceptive commodities and expansion of FP methods to ensure availability of a range of modern contraceptive methods in Tajikistan.

“FP eliminates high-risk and unintended pregnancies and allows women and family to plan their life.  It is one of the most cost-effective health services and has been a key component of maternal and child health care in Tajikistan.  It has helped to improve health of women and children and to reduce maternal and child mortality in Tajikistan and throughout the world,” says Ms. Mieko YABUTA.

Recognizing the importance of the FP services, the Government of Tajikistan started state budget allocation for contraceptive procurement in 2016.  The Japanese funding will supplement the state funding to accompany the Government’s efforts to make FP services sustainable.

UNFPA Country Office in Tajikistan will provide technical and managerial assistance to the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Population who will implement the project. More than 700,000 beneficiaries are expected to use various methods of modern FP thanks to the Japan’s support to the project.  Japan has been one of the most important supporters of UNFPA at the global level.  This funding agreement at the country level will further strengthen Japan’s contribution for the realization of the Reproductive Rights and advancement of women.

The signing ceremony was also attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan Mr. Sirodjidin ASLOV, representatives of JICA Tajikistan office, and high level officials of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Population of the Republic of Tajikistan.