by Lydia Zigomo, Regional Director
In South Sudan, Tabitha Nyigang stood before her graduating class, her voice steady, eyes shining, “Thanks to my husband, who was incredibly supportive, and to my entire family, who are so proud of my achievement,” she said. Against all odds, Tabitha—alongside 141 fellow students—completed a rigorous three-year program, earning a diploma in Clinical Medicine and Public Health.
Through initiatives aimed at strengthening South Sudan’s health workforce, UNFPA, alongside organizations like Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and with funding from Global Affairs Canada, helped create opportunities for women like Tabitha. Her achievement is proof of the power of support and that progress is not just driven by policy or programmes, but by people coming together.
At UNFPA, we have seen time and again how collective action fuels change. Behind every woman who steps into her power, there’s a network of people, institutions, and communities who believe in her potential. And behind us, stand partners—governments, donors, UN agencies, civil society—united in a shared mission: to advance rights and choices for all.
Encouraging changes amidst a challenging landscape
For more than 55 years, UNFPA has worked hand in hand with those who believe in a better, fairer world. We know that no woman should die giving life. No girl should have her future stolen by violence or lack of access to care. And we know that change only comes through the “power of us.”
Recently, we witnessed a milestone. At the 38th African Union Summit, Member States adopted the Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls—a landmark step forward. UNFPA has supported this Convention since its earliest days, and we remain a proud partner of the African Union in making this vision real.
The Convention arrives at a time when too many women and girls still bear the brunt of conflict, their bodies used as weapons of war, their lives upended by climate-related disasters. Misinformation, stigma, and neglect continue to silence their voices. But this new legal framework signals a new beginning. It tells survivors: you are not invisible. You matter. And it reaffirms the power of solidarity to drive lasting change.
Working through crisis
As unprecedented times call for unprecedented action, UNFPA also supported the continuation of the Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional Programme. Globally, the initiative has already supported over 540 law changes that strengthen protections against gender-based violence around the world. In the Region, the African Union Commission (AUC), the United Nations (UN), and the European Union (EU) agreed to continue the work, which also involves UN Agencies: UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA and UN Women under the leadership of UNFPA.
These shifts are being reinforced by strategic investments. In just the past year:
- Global Affairs Canada pledged US$7.2 million to address urgent humanitarian needs in 13 countries across sub-Saharan Africa.
- The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) launched a new partnership with UNFPA in Ethiopia.
- The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) committed to a five-year initiative in Mozambique.
Each of these investments goes beyond funding. They represent trust, collaboration, and a shared belief that sustainable change is possible when we work side by side.
A shared future requires shared action
No country or region stands alone. In a world defined by megatrends—climate change, demographic shifts, rising inequality—our challenges are interconnected. So are our solutions. That’s why partnership isn't just a strategy; it's the only way forward.
In East and Southern Africa, we’re proud to work closely with the African Union, governments, donors and local actors. We share expertise, elevate good practices, and support policy reforms that centre women and girls. In everything we do, we are guided by the fundamental belief that every woman and girl has the right to live free from fear, to access care, and to shape her own future.
While contexts shift and funding cycles change, our commitment holds firm. At UNFPA, we stand with our partners, and we stand with the women and girls at the heart of it all. Because when we act together, there’s no limit to what we can achieve.
