Ouagadougou, August 18, 2023

The Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Population Fund
(UNFPA) in Burkina Faso, Mr. Cheikh Mohamed Tidiane Mbengue, and the Head of
Mission at the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene, Dr. Valian Tougma Antoinette,
proceeded this Friday, August 18, 2023, in Ouagadougou, to the official launch of the
project "Fundamental rights, peace and equality for all in the Sahel and North regions
of Burkina Faso”, in the presence of several officials and financial and implementing
partners. This program ultimately affects more than 545,500 people, including more
than 282,000 women.

Covering over three years (2023-2026), this project fits into the United Nations
Interim Action Plan for Sustainable Development 2023-2025 (UNIDAP). Its mission
aims to transcend divides by promoting gender equality, protecting and empowering
women and young people, while consolidating peace and social cohesion in conflict-
affected areas, including the Sahel and North of Burkina Faso.

The Deputy Resident Representative of UNFPA in Burkina Faso, Mr. Cheikh
Mohamed Tidiane Mbengue, spoke enthusiastically: “Today, we are taking a decisive
step in the realization of this project. State and non-state partners will be our agents
of change. This project will build the resilience and empowerment of women and
youth, ensuring access to sexual and reproductive health protection and rights for
internally displaced people and conflict-affected communities.”

The Head of Mission at the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene, Dr. Valian Tougma
Antoinette, underlined the hope aroused by this project: “We welcome the project
with immense satisfaction. I call on those responsible for the project to ensure the
active participation of all relevant stakeholders, as our commitment to the Korea
International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) must be exemplary”.

The Republic of Korea, through its International Cooperation and Development
Agency, KOICA, has funded US$6.6 million, or nearly CFAF 4 billion, to support
women and youth in Sahel and northern regions of Burkina Faso.

This project will indirectly affect more than 3 million people and will propel Burkina
Faso towards achieving three transformative results: zero preventable maternal
deaths, zero unmet need for family planning and zero gender-based violence. A
bright future is emerging, driven by the hope and determination of the United Nations
Population Fund (UNFPA) and its partners.