Advancing Reproductive Health: PMC-Ethiopia Leads as Steering Committee at the 6th Annual Reproductive Health International Conference
November 13, 2024, | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Population Media Center-Ethiopia (PMC-E) proudly serves as the Steering Committee for the 6th Annual Reproductive Health International Conference, collaborating with Yonsei Global Health Center (YGHC), the Ministry of Health, KOICA, and other esteemed partners. This year’s conference theme, “30 Years Post ICPD: Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities,” brings together global and local experts committed to advancing family planning and sexual and reproductive health (SRH).
The conference opened with a pre-conference Journalist Workshop at the Skylight Hotel, themed “Your Voice, Their Future: Advocate for Family Planning.” In her welcoming remarks, Ms. Jihyun Moon, YGHC Country Director, emphasized the essential role of the media in addressing social norms that impact SRH. She expressed gratitude for the support from KOICA and other partners, which makes this conference possible.
Mr. Cho Han Deog, KOICA’s Country Director, highlighted the importance of donor involvement in family planning and SRH initiatives and reaffirmed KOICA’s ongoing commitment to supporting these critical areas.
Dr. Tegegne Regassa, the Ministry of Health’s PR and Communications Executive Officer, spoke on the role of media in promoting family planning and SRH, urging journalists to prioritize these issues, which are often overlooked. He emphasized the government’s dedication to addressing the community’s SRH needs.
Representing PMC-E, Country Director Dr. Hailegnaw Eshete shared insights on the media’s power to drive behavioral changes in family planning and SRH. He outlined Ethiopia’s pressing SRH needs, noting unmet demands for family planning and SRH services between 22% and 32%. Dr. Hailegnaw discussed how PMC-E’s multimedia, research-based approach successfully shifts social norms and raises awareness, and he called on communication professionals to play an active role in advocacy, policy influence, and resource mobilization.
As the main conference begins tomorrow, November 14, 2024, PMC-E and its partners will continue to lead discussions on family planning, SRH challenges, and future strategies.
Stay tuned for impactful insights from thought leaders committed to driving change!
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