The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Government of Japan have announced a $3.3 million partnership to support Rohingya refugee women and girls, as well as host communities in Cox’s Bazar and Noakhali districts, Bangladesh. This funding aims to strengthen sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services and gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response efforts, including child marriage prevention and engagement with adolescents.
The project, titled “Advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda for Displaced Persons from Myanmar and Host Communities in Cox's Bazar and Noakhali Districts,” will address critical needs in three key areas: SRH services, GBV prevention through women-friendly spaces, and support for adolescents at risk of child marriage and exclusion from humanitarian aid, read a press release.
Japan’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Iwama Kiminori, expressed his support, highlighting the importance of improving the lives of women and girls affected by the protracted Rohingya crisis. He said, “I hope this assistance will contribute to the protection of women and girls, their dignity, and improvement of their quality of life.”
Masaki Watabe, Representative a.i. of UNFPA Bangladesh, emphasized the significance of the partnership in scaling up lifesaving health and protection services for the affected communities. Japan has contributed over $220 million to the Rohingya crisis response since 2017.
The project will be implemented in districts heavily impacted by climate change, with a focus on providing SRH and GBV services to empower women, girls, and vulnerable youth in both Rohingya and host communities.
