Tashkent, 13 July 2012 – UN Information Centre (UNIC) and UN Population Fund (UNFPA) co-host a traditional UN Friday to highlight one of UN’s flagship observances, World Population Day. As the theme of this year’s World Population Day is “Universal Access to Reproductive Health Services”, the UN Friday was held under the motto “Healthy Families – Healthy Societies”. The UN Friday aimed to once again draw public attention to the importance of advancing population’s reproductive and maternal health, and particularly the role of young people, and UN’s work in this area.
The programme featured experts in the area of reproductive health and rights, HIV/AIDS and youth. In particular, the following experts represented the panel: Ms. Feruza Fazilova, National Programme Officer on Reproductive Health at UNFPA, Ms. Diloram Melikova, family physician at Tashkent International Clinic, Mr. Davron Mirsagatov, representative of the UNFPA-supported youth education network Y-PEER, and Mr. Vojtech Hledik, UNAIDS Country Office in Uzbekistan.
The event was opened by a short theatre-based play by Y-PEER volunteers, featuring the issue of early marriages. Then followed a brief introductory presentation about the history of World Population Day, and UNFPA’s work in Uzbekistan.
The discussion was started with a statement by Feruza Fazilova on UNFPA’s joint work with Uzbekistan’s government, aimed at improving reproductive health in Uzbekistan, including the issues of family planning, maternal health and prevention of early marriages.
Diloram Melikova shared her experience being a family physician at Tashkent International Clinic, and about the peculiarities of working with young patients. She stressed the importance of providing youth-friendly services, and treating young people’s concerns with confidentiality and support.
Vojtech Hledik talked about the work of UN Agencies in the area of HIV/AIDS, and stressed UNAIDS’s role in coordinating and unifying the efforts of UN Agencies and partners, as well as with civil society, mass-media and general public.
One of the key priorities of reproductive health programmes is working with young people based on peer-to-peer approach. This is exactly the mission of UNFPA-supported Y-PEER network, whose volunteers work with their peers, educating them on issues of reproductive health and rights, HIV/AIDS and healthy lifestyles. Davron Mirsagatov shared with the audience of UN Friday his experience being an active volunteer and focal point of Y-PEER network in Uzbekistan. The network currently brings together more than 400 activists who reach out to more than 30,000 young people annually with informational sessions.
Short final statements concluded the discussion. Feruza Fazilova advised that young people should remain curious to the world around them, and particularly to the issues concerning their health. She said they should never be shy to ask questions regarding their health. Vojtech Hledik suggested that young people be responsible for their health and gain the information and skills needed to be safe. Diloram Melikova stressed that young people should take an active position and enjoy the period in their life when they are young and healthy and full of aspirations. Davron Mirsagatov encouraged young people to remain optimistic, active and act to see their dreams come true.
The UN Friday ended with demonstration of a short video about UNFPA’s work in safeguarding maternal health in Uzbekistan, and awarding of the most active participants with souvenir gifts from UNFPA.
Reproductive health is an indispensable part of the sustainable development equation. Women and young people who are in good health, and who have the power and means to make their own decisions about how many children to have - and when to have them - are better able to contribute to the development of their societies.
