UNFPA Philippines successfully wrapped up its 8th Country Programme (8CP) (2019-2023) recently through a year end meeting and recognition event for its strategic and implementing partners that aided the United Nations agency in its work towards achieving the three zeros: zero unmet need for family planning, zero preventable maternal deaths, and zero gender-based violence and harmful practices.

“Thanks to our joint efforts, we have successfully reduced the unmet need for family planning, addressed issues such as gender-based violence and harmful practices like child, early and forced marriage. Our advocacy efforts have resulted in the passage of crucial legislation and scientific evidence has paved the way for informed decision-making by policy actors,” UNFPA Philippine Country Representative Dr. Leila Joudane said.

She also thanked development partners that supported the 8CP through core resources and non-core resources such as the governments of Australia,USAID, Canada, Japan, Republic of Korea (through KOICA), New Zealand, and Norway.

“We recognize that without your support, our goals would remain unrealized. We are now excited to begin the implementation of the 9th Country Programme (9CP), where we have agreed upon a clear way forward and a strategic direction. We count on our development partners to continue this journey with us, as we strive to improve the lives of women, girls, and vulnerable populations in the Philippines."

The 8CP, implemented by UNFPA Philippines from 2019 to 2023, supported key development goals and aimed to maximize the country’s window of opportunity or the so-called demographic dividend.

Closely aligned with the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022, the Ambisyon Natin 2040 and the Sustainable Development Goals, the 8CP focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality and ending violence against women and girls, and harnessing the demographic dividend.

To formally recognize the efforts of its partners, UNFPA Philippines awarded plaques of appreciation to government agencies, local government units, development partners, civil society organizations and other groups that worked closely with the United Nations agency over the course of its 8CP implementation. 

Joudane said they are now looking towards the upcoming 9CP, which “encapsulates a theory of change that was developed through the collective wisdom of the Country Office and its partners. The 9CP has been approved by the Republic of the Philippines and is awaiting consideration by the UNFPA Executive Board.”

The 2-day event served as a platform to celebrate the achievements and results generated from the 8CP. During the workshop, partners were asked to share their insights and lessons learned, as well as recommendations for the next programme to ensure continuity and improvements are implemented.

With the ever-evolving financing landscape for development, humanitarian, and peace-building interventions, new strategies were explored to secure the necessary resources for the 9CP.

The 9CP will highlight transforming social norms towards gender equality, improving access and delivery of services, strengthening resilience programming across the humanitarian-development continuum, and enhancing capacity and accountability of institutions/actors at national and sub-national levels.

Joudane said, “By engaging our partners and addressing critical questions, UNFPA Philippines is well-positioned to transition smoothly to its 9CP and continue its vital work towards achieving the three zeros as well as addressing the issue of adolescent pregnancy while empowering women, girls, and vulnerable populations across the Philippines.”