UNITED NATIONS, June 13 (Xinhua) -- UNFPA, the UN agency for sexual and reproductive health, announced on Monday the winners of its 2022 UN Population Award, which went to a young Namibian parliamentarian and Indonesia's National Population and Family Planning Board.
The individual laureate is member of parliament Emma Theofelus, who is currently the Deputy Minister of Information in Namibia and the youngest-ever winner of the award.
The institutional laureate from Indonesia, BKKBN, is a non-ministerial government agency that formulates national policies, implements family planning initiatives and mentors experts in the field of population dynamics.
Namibian activist Theofelus has been recognized for advocating for women's empowerment and adolescent sexual and reproductive health.
Her experience as an advocate for sexual and reproductive health has led her to directly address the country's youth, as one of Africa's youngest cabinet ministers.
She led Namibia's public communication campaign on COVID-19 preventions as a deputy minister, and she pioneered legislation for feminine hygiene products to be tax-free.
According to the UNFPA, BKKBN was recognized for its successful, innovative and rights-based family planning program in the Republic of Indonesia, which continued even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The organization has trained population experts, collaborated with non-governmental organizations and faith-based organizations on population issues, and developed programs to assist families caring for the elderly.
The UN Population Award has honored individuals and institutions for their outstanding contributions to population, development and reproductive health since 1983. ■
