The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on Wednesday handed over dignity kits to 375 adolescent girls, pregnant women and lactating mothers at Onambutu Combined School in the Ohangwena Region.

Dignity kits help women and girls maintain proper hygiene and are a critical component of the UNFPA humanitarian response.

Speaking at the official handover of the kits, UNFPA officer in charge Loide Amkongo said in support of national efforts, UNFPA received funding from the government of Japan through a project which focuses on filling the gaps in gender-based violence and health.

“This project is in eight regions of Namibia and targets vulnerable women and girls, as well as engaging men and boys,” she stated.

Amkongo said the 375 beneficiaries were identified from various schools in the region and from the Eenhana Maternity Waiting Home through the ministries of Health and Education to ensure that the needy receive the items.

The dignity kits contain basic essential and personal and hygiene items such as a shitenge, washing powder, bathing soap, underwear, facecloth, sanitary pads, toothbrush, toothpaste and baby nappies.

“The kits are aimed at meeting the basic needs of the beneficiaries while restoring their dignity. The kits also form part of the total project value of N.dollars 7.4 million,” she said.

UNFPA also handed over two sewing machines donated by the government of China to the Eenhana Maternity Waiting Home to the value of N.dollars 10 000.

Amkongo said the machines will be used by pregnant women and lactating mothers.

The aim of the support, she further stated, is to empower women with livelihood skills and potentially generate family income while at the maternity waiting home.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency