UNFPA is an international development agency that promotes the right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity.
UNFPA supports countries in using population data for policies and programs to reduce poverty and to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, every young person is free of HIV/AIDS, and every girl and woman is treated with dignity and respect.
The objective of Mr Robinson's visit to St Maarten was a fact-finding mission. The Caribbean sub-region office has worked with the Netherlands Antilles but never directly with St Maarten.
In light of the upcoming constitutional changes, it is important to look at where we can collaborate with regards to issues pertaining to population and development, poverty, sexual & reproductive health, and gender equality, Commissioner Wescot-Williams said.
While on the island Mr Robinson met with:
the Department of Economic Policy and Research, represented by Ms Lucy Gibbes;
the Department of Civil Registry, represented by Mrs Leona Marlin;
the Sector Health Care Affairs, represented by Ms Maria Henry/Ms Fenna Arnell;
the Program Management Team for HIV/Aids, represented by Mr Cornelius De Weever;
the Section Youth Affairs, represented by Mrs Shermina Powell-Richardson;
the Section Community Development, represented Mrs Aida Boyrard-Holaman;
the Program & Project Bureau, represented by Ms Richelda Emmanuel;
Gender organizations, represented by Mrs Cassilda v/d Neut;
Women's Desk/ Community Development, represented by Ms Joy Arnell;
The meetings were considered a success. It was acknowledged that proper population research and data collection were key factors for future policy development and that the various Departments were in need of assistance to properly take up these tasks.
As such it was determined that UNFPA would be able to provide technical assistance and capacity training with aspects of population and migration dynamics, SRH and gender data collection and analysis, poverty assessments and policy development.
UNFPA will carry out a more in-depth mission as early as the beginning of May and the expectation is that various project agreements with the various stakeholders will follow.
