Djibouti women and children in the spotlight -

Djibouti women and children in the spotlight

UNICEF's Regional Director, Sigrid Kaag, concludes 3-day visit

DJIBOUTI, 7 July 2008 – Sigrid Kaag, UNICEF Regional Director for the
Middle East and North Africa has concluded a three-day visit to
Djibouti. During her trip Kaag met with the President of the Republic,
HE. Ismael O. Guelleh, several members of the cabinet, representatives
of NGOs, local associations and communities.

Located at the Southern entrance to the Red Sea, Djibouti shares a
border with Ethiopia, Somalia and Eritrea. In Djibouti, extreme
poverty affects 42 per cent of the population while 74 per cent are
affected by relative poverty.

Ms. Kaag stated during a press conference: "The visit to Djibouti has
given me first hand experience of the conditions of women and children
in the country, and has provided me with greater insight as to their
immediate needs". She commended Djibouti's progress towards the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) especially with regards to a
reduction in child mortality rates, as well as increased access to
primary education for girls and boys. The Regional Director took note
of progress made in gender parity in primary education. At the same
time she expressed concerns about remaining disparities between the
rural and urban areas in the social sectors.

Ms. Kaag raised the issue of continued high rates of malnutrition,
affecting a significant part of the population, and particularly
children under the age of five as well as pregnant and lactating
women. One child in five is affected by acute malnutrition. UNICEF
will support the Government and its partners to further improve food
security as well as the nutritional status of vulnerable groups in the
country.

"Maternal mortality levels are still too high and UNICEF will work
with partners to further reinforce efforts underway" said Ms. Kaag.

UNICEF's Regional Director for Middle East and North Africa praised
Djibouti for its leadership for the eradication of Female Genital
Mutilation/Cutting.

In Djibouti, Ms Sigrid Kaag visited a center which offers services to
prevent transmission of HIV from parents to child; therapeutic and
supplementary nutrition centers; a counseling center for women
affected by violence and a center in a peri-urban area of town where
HIV counseling services are offered to the local population as well as
migrant workers from neighbouring countries; a newly constructed
school in a rural area where girls and boys will for the first time
have the opportunity to attend school, starting September 2008.

Data resulting from the 2006 MICS' survey demonstrate that 13 per cent
of children aged 15 to 19 years chew khat, an amphetamine-like
stimulant which can produce a mild to moderate psychological
dependence. In meetings with government officials as well as
representatives of United Nations Agencies, the regional director drew
attention to this issue and its impact on children and women. It was
agreed that UNICEF would work with the government and partners to
formulate a long term programmatic response, building on its capacity
in communication for development and its outreach through existing
health and education programmes.

The Regional Director asked for urgently needed additional funds to
respond to the growing food crisis following the drought, and the rise
in food prices affecting a population already vulnerable due to
poverty and prevailing high rates of malnutrition. UNICEF's response
is included in the United Nations' Consolidated Appeal which will be
launched shortly. ______________________

About UNICEF
UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help
children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence.
The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries,
UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation,
quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of
children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded
entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses,
foundations and governments.

For further information, contact:

Omar HABIB, UNICEF Communication Specialist, Djibouti: +253-31-41-21
ohabib@unicef.org
Aloys KAMURAGIYE, UNICEF Representative, Djibouti: +253-31-41-13
akamuragiye@unicef.org