Namibia’s Deputy Information Minister Emma Theofelus is the winner of the 2022 UN Population Award in recognition of her work advocating for sexual and reproductive health issues in the southwest African country, the UN Population Fund announced on Monday.
UNFPA said Theofelus has championed national efforts on women’s empowerment and adolescent sexual and reproductive health in Namibia.
“Born in 1996, she is one of Africa’s youngest cabinet ministers, and has used her youth-friendly perspective, and her experience as an advocate for sexual and reproductive health, to directly address the country’s young people,” the UN sexual and reproductive health agency said in a statement.
It commended Theofelus for leading the country’s public communication campaign on COVID-19 prevention in Namibia and for championing “legislation for feminine hygiene products to be identified as a tax-free commodity.”
The UN Population Award has honoured individuals and institutions for their outstanding contributions to population, development and reproductive health since 1983.
The 2022 institutional award went to Indonesia’s National Population and Family Planning Board, UNFPA said.
The board is an Indonesian government agency that formulates national policies, implements family planning initiatives and mentors experts in the field of population dynamics.
JN/APA