UNICEF PSEA Officer Inspects Atbara Center and Commends Protection Standards in Reproductive Health Services
As part of its field visits to River Nile State, a delegation from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), headed by Ms. Sara, Officer of the Protection and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) – African Region -, conducted an inspection visit yesterday, Wednesday, to the service center of Sudan Family Planning Association, River Nile State branch, in Atbara.
The delegation was received by Mr. Salah El-Gilani, Director of the General Administration for Behavior Change at the Association’s headquarters, Ms. Kawthar Mohamed Ibrahim, Director of the Association’s River Nile State branch, and Ms. Hanaa, Protection Programs Coordinator for the branch.
The Tour and Focus on PSEA Standards.
The delegation toured the various departments of the center, where they reviewed the mechanisms for providing services to beneficiaries and the extent to which the center adheres to the PSEA Protection and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Standards in all its services.
The visit focused specifically on reproductive health programs and mechanisms to ensure their delivery in a safe and confidential environment that preserves the dignity of beneficiaries.
During the tour, Ms. Sara emphasized that UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse, and our visit today aims to ensure that PSEA principles are integrated into all stages of service delivery.
She commended the center’s advanced level in providing safe reporting channels and training staff on the protection code of conduct.
For her part, Ms Kawthar Mohamed Ibrahim explained that the center’s staff had undergone intensive training courses on PSEA policies, and that they are committed to immediately reporting any violations through the approved mechanisms.
Mr. Salah Al-Jailani noted that the Behavior Change Department has incorporated awareness messages about the dangers of sexual exploitation into weekly health education programs.
Background
This visit comes within the framework of the partnership agreement between UNICEF and Sudan Family Planning Association, which obligates all partners to implement the six core PSEA standards issued by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC).