Workshop on raising awareness of private sector about commitments of Nairobi Summit on Population and Development

With the aim of raising awareness in the private sector about the commitments of the Nairobi Summit on Population and Development 2019, the Syrian Commission for Family and Population Affairs, in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund, held a workshop today, at the Dama Rose Hotel in Damascus.

A number of private sector bodies from the Chambers of Industry and Commerce will participate in the workshop, in addition to the unions of doctors, pharmacists, lawyers, medical centers, private pharmaceutical companies, universities and private banks.

The axes of the two-day workshop focus on the national programs implemented with the support of the Fund, the Nairobi Summit, Syria’s commitments to it, and private sector development practices related to the recommendations.

Head of the Syrian Commission for Family and Population Affairs, Eng. Samar al-Sibai, indicated in her speech that the opening of the Family Protection Unit in 2017 had a major role in attracting women survivors of violence with their children, and providing them with all services.

Assistant Representative of the United Nations Population Fund, Dr. Omar Ballan, pointed out that the Fund works on a number of main aspects, including reproductive health, gender equality, combating gender-based violence, youth empowerment and social inclusion. It supports all activities implemented in the Family Protection Unit.

Director of Population at the Commission, Waddah Al-Rakkad, gave a presentation in which he indicated that Syria’s commitments at the Nairobi conference focus on the issues of reducing child mortality levels as a result of childbirth, increasing the rates of family planning, reducing early marriage rates in society, and setting legislation and laws to protect the family in various aspects.

For his part, member of the People’s Assembly Hadi Mashhadiya underlined the role of the People’s Assembly in these obligations through the enactment of legislation and laws that protect the family. He indicated that the Social Affairs and Labor Committee in the Assembly works in permanent coordination with the Commission to serve the protection of the family in many issues.

It is noteworthy that the Nairobi International Summit on Population and Development was held in 2019, during which the focus was on empowering women, youth, persons with disabilities and displaced families to take their participatory role in development.

Inas Abdulkareem