United Nations Foundation Announces Press Fellowship to Rwanda with a Focus on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 12, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The United Nations Foundation's Universal Access Project today announced a press fellowship to Rwanda with a focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights, including participation at the 5th International Conference on Family Planning and local site visits to hear firsthand from health workers and the community members they serve.

At the conference, selected journalists will have direct access to leading global experts, policymakers, researchers, advocates, and young people working to achieve universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, including family planning. This global convening occurs at a critical time: 214 million women around the world want to delay or avoid pregnancy but are not using a modern form of contraception. At the same time, harmful U.S. government policies and funding cuts ? including the expanded Mexico City Policy (or "Global Gag Rule") and the defunding of the UN Population Fund ? are threatening progress on sexual and reproductive health and rights for women, girls, and families around the world.

Journalists will also have access to exclusive briefings with experts, such as those from UN agencies, global and local policymakers, NGO leaders and world-renowned researchers, as well as opportunities to join local site visits to speak directly with family planning and reproductive health care providers and clients. The conference's location in Rwanda, an emerging economy that has made strides in expanding contraceptive access, offers a unique backdrop to explore country-level progress and challenges on sexual and reproductive health and family planning, and to see firsthand how family planning impacts women, families, and communities.

"Four billion people globally are of reproductive age at a time when progress on achieving sexual and reproductive health and rights for all is under threat," said Seema Jalan, Executive Director of the Universal Access Project. "This fellowship will offer an opportunity for journalists to explore these dynamics at both a global and local level, and to meet women, families, and young people in Rwanda whose lives are impacted by access ? or lack of access ? to this fundamental health care."    

This fellowship is intended for journalists who work for U.S. media outlets and who are interested in global sexual and reproductive health issues, international development, U.S. foreign policy, and the United Nations. The fellowship will offer stipend to cover travel and lodging costs and will take place the week of November 11th.

The application deadline is July 9, 2018. To apply, click here. For more information please contact Kate D'Amico ([email protected]) and Serena Jiwani ([email protected]).

About the Universal Access Project
The Universal Access Project, a project of the United Nations Foundation, convenes an innovative group of donors and advocates in a coordinated effort to protect and strengthen the largest source of funding for international reproductive health and family planning ? U.S. foreign aid. Empowering girls and women to plan their families and their futures sparks a ripple effect: women who choose to become mothers can plan for healthy, well-educated children, leading to more resilient, prosperous families; thriving societies; and growing economies. Learn more at http://www.universalaccessproject.org.

About the United Nations Foundation
The United Nations Foundation builds public-private partnerships to address the world's most pressing problems, and broadens support for the United Nations through advocacy and public outreach. Through innovative campaigns and initiatives, the Foundation connects people, ideas, and resources to help the UN solve global problems. The Foundation was created in 1998 as a U.S. public charity by entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner and now is supported by philanthropic, corporate, government, and individual donors. Learn more at: http://www.unfoundation.org.

SOURCE United Nations Foundation, Inc.