Empowering women and girls with the Support line on reproductive rights and health counseling in the context of a global pandemic

The Support line on reproductive rights, health and COVID-19 launched this week to provide anonymous and professional counseling and referral services to women and girls in the context of a global pandemic. UNFPA partners with the UK Embassy to support the Keyik Okara public organization in launching its second hotline service for women, girls and families.

As the COVID-19 sweeps across the world, UNFPA joined hands with the UN agencies and the development partners to support the Government of Turkmenistan and the public organizations in responding to the pandemic. “It is important that even during a pandemic, women and couples should have the right and opportunities to plan a healthy family, to have a safe pregnancy, deliver safely and stay free from the increased risk of violence,” said Ms. Giulia Vallese, UNFPA Country Director for Turkmenistan.

UNFPA is closely working with the Government to strengthen the health system and ensure continuity of reproductive health services and access to the commodities in the country. The reproductive health rooms countrywide continue to provide government-sponsored and UNFPA-procured modern methods of contraception for most at-risk women.

Global UNFPA data shows that women and girls are at increased risk of violence during the pandemic due to limited movement and socio-economic impact on households, increased unpaid care and fear and stress related to COVID-19. UNFPA works with the Government in creating an environment free of violence. The UN agency currently supports the Government in adopting the multi-sectoral response to gender-based violence to ensure that key sectors, such as health, psychosocial and police, respond effectively and in a coordinated manner.

The Support line service will help women and girls to receive confidential, immediate and evidence-based information on their reproductive rights, existing reproductive health services and overall health advice in the context of a global pandemic. The project also aims to collect data and map the demand for specific support services from the hotline callers, women and girls, which will inform ongoing efforts to establish community-based social services in the country.