United Nations Jamaica 76th Anniversary

I am pleased to bring greetings on behalf of the United Nations Population Fund in the Caribbean on this occasion of UN Day 2021. As United Nations (UN) Agencies we continue to collaborate with Governments and stakeholders to discuss common problems and find shared solutions that benefit all of humanity. In its thrust to partner for prosperity, UNFPA has been able to work with the Jamaican Government, community service organizations, non-governmental organizations, our UN counterparts and other stakeholders to continue our mission towards achieving zero unmet need for family planning, zero maternal deaths and zero gender-basedviolenceandharmful practices. UNFPA continues to support our stakeholders to help keep health systems functioning, maintain the provision of sexual and reproductive health and rights information and services, including SRH commodities, and prevent and respond to gender- based violence. UNFPA also spearheaded an assessment of the reproductive health commodity security situation in Jamaica in 2020 to analyze RHCS maturity and identify strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities in each country. The assessment included an analysis of the impact of stock outs of sexual and reproductive health commodities as a result of supply chain constraints during COVID-19. UNFPA’s work under the European Union funded Spotlight Initiative is another collaborative effort of which we are very proud. The Jamaica Spotlight Programme seeks to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls, with a particular focus on domestic and family violence. Within this framework, we have been supporting the strengthening of national and sub-national institutions in the health, social services, police and justice sectors to deliver integrated, coordinated, high quality, evidence-based and sustainable services to address family violence. Our support is in line with internationally recognized best practices in the Essential Services Package for Women and Girls Subject to Violence, and in alignment with the Jamaican legal framework. We have also contributed to increase awareness among women, girls and the public in general on how and where to report instances of violence and access critical health, police, social and justice services. We have also been able to partner with UNICEF to address harmful attitudes, behaviours and social norms, particularly discriminatory gender norms and inequitable power relations between women and men, through coordinated work in the education sector. In our bid to leave no one behind, UNFPA, UNAIDS, and TransWave Jamaica, collaborated to develop a five-year comprehensive transgender health strategy, the first of its kind in the English- speaking Caribbean. The strategy addresses health issues that are comprehensive in scope, expanding the focus on transgender health beyond the confines of HIV. The document outlines the vision, priorities, and course of action for enhancing, maintaining and diversifying the provision of health care for all Jamaicans. It has been almost two years since Jamaica documented its first case of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). We have been able to contribute towards managing a pandemic that can only be described as the largest global public health crisis in a century, with daunting health and socioeconomic challenges. Governments globally and in the Caribbean have been taking unprecedented measures to limit the spread of the virus by disseminating vaccines and strengthening health systems, among others. Our achievements have been many, however, there is still much more work to be done. We thank our stakeholders and partners who continue to work alongside us during this unprecedented time. Together we will endeavour to provide the well-needed support and services required to continue our mission to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. Jamaica, a Steadfast Partner for Advancing Equal Rights and Protections Alison Drayton Director, UNFPA Subregional Office of the Caribbean 23 THE 76TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL FEATURE OF THE UNITED NATIONS IN JAMAICA