Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller (left) makes a comment to the amusement of Harold Robinson, country officer for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), during a courtesy call at Jamaica House last Thursday. Mr. Robinson pledged the continued support of his organisation for country's development agenda. - CONTRIBUTED
COUNTRY OFFICER for the United Nations Population Fund in Jamaica, Harold Robinson, has sought to assure that the UNFPA will continue to support Jamaica's programme of activities to achieve its development agenda and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
He gave the assurance during a courtesy call on the Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller at Jamaica House last week.
According to a release from Jamaica House, Mr. Robinson told the Prime Minister that he was expecting a close working relationship with Jamaica and that her appointment as the first woman Prime Minister, should help to advance the empowerment of women in the country and the Caribbean region.
PROTECTION FOR WOMEN, CHILDREN
In response, Prime Minister Simpson Miller said achieving the MDGs were crucial for Jamaica at this time, especially as it relates to gender equality and ensuring the protection of women and children.
She expressed concern about the spread of HIV/AIDS and said the various intervention programmes, particularly those at the community level, would have to be intensified to reduce the spread of the disease and remove the stigma associated with it.
The Prime Minister added that HIV/AIDS education programmes were also critical as well as the treatment of person living with the disease.
