UNFPA Pledges continued Support for Jamaica

Country Officer for the United Nations Population Fund in Jamaica Mr. Harold Robinson, has assured Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller that the UNFPA will continue to support the programme of activities by Jamaica to achieve the objectives of the development agenda and the Millennium Development Goals by. He gave this assurance during a courtesy call on the Prime Minister at Jamaica House on Thursday (May 11).
Mr. Robinson told the Prime Minister that he looked forward to a close working relationship with Jamaica and that her appointment as the first woman Prime Minister, should help to advance the empowerment of women in the country and the Caribbean region. He said that as partners with Jamaica, the UNFPA would provide support in any way possible, particularly on gender related issues.
In her remarks, Prime Minister Simpson Miller said that achieving the MDGs were crucial for Jamaica at this time, especially as it relates to gender equality and ensuring the protection of women and children.
She expressed concern about the spread of HIV/AIDS and said that the various intervention programmes, particularly those at the community level, would have to be intensified to reduce the spread of the disease and remove the stigma associated with it. She added that HIV/AIDS education programmes were also critical as well as treatment of person living with the disease.