Member of Parliament and Deputy Minister of Information, Communication and Technology, Emma Theofelus has been named the 2022 United Nations Population Award individual laureate, making her the youngest-ever recipient of the award.
The Committee for the United Nations Population Award in a virtual press conference Monday, said two laureates were chosen to receive the 2022 United Nations Population Award in the individual and institutional categories at its sixth April session.
The honourees were chosen for their outstanding contributions to raising awareness of population issues and finding solutions to them.
Every year, the committee recognises an individual or institution for outstanding contributions to population and reproductive health issues and solutions. The General Assembly established the award in 1983 with Resolution 36/201, and it was first presented in 1983. It includes a gold medal, a diploma, and a monetary award.
As a deputy minister, Theofelus oversaw the country’s public communication campaign on COVID-19 prevention in Namibia, and as a Member of Parliament, she introduced legislation that allowed feminine hygiene products to be designated as a tax-free commodity.
During her acceptance speech, Theofelus stated that she became very interested in issues concerning sexual reproductive health and rights after having her first period in sixth grade and realising how some girls would suffer to afford sanitary products.
“I knew I needed to use my voice and every tool at my disposal to help young girls make smart choices about their sexual activities,” she said.
She stated that she cannot fully express how honoured she is to receive this award and added that regardless of race, age or gender, every Namibian girl and African woman faces this issue and that the playing field needs to be levelled.
“I will redouble my efforts and work with others to ensure that period poverty is eradicated one day. I dedicate this award to the Namibian people, particularly the young women and girls who continue to break down barriers and hold their own in a world that does not prioritise them,” she stated.
The laureate institution is the Republic of Indonesia’s National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN), a non-ministerial government agency that formulates national policies, implements family planning initiatives, and mentors experts in the field of population dynamics.
BKKBN was recognised in the institution category as a shining example of successful, innovative and rights-based family planning initiatives in the Republic of Indonesia, which continued even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
