The Republic of Equatorial Guinea, through its Minister for Social Affairs and Gender Equality, María Consuelo Nguema Owana, called for an end to maternal mortality rates and gender violence at a meeting with the Representative for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Equatorial Guinea and the UNFPA discussed strengthening existing and implanting new programs to support and empower women, children, and teenagers.
The Minister praised the initiatives of the programs, and highlighted the importance of continuing work in these areas.
In line with the Sustainable Development Goals in the country’s Horizon 2020 program, Equatorial Guinea has made great strides over the years. Initiatives include major reductions in the risk of maternal and infant mortality; free health service and drugs for youth and the elderly; the development of agriculture and hydrocarbons to create more jobs; the implementation of progressive gender equality policies; and electricity and sanitation for all citizens.
Gender equality and the empowerment of women is one of Equatorial Guinea’s top priorities as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
Equatorial Guinea is also focused on negotiations and dialogues for the peaceful resolution of armed conflicts; negotiations and dialogues on the reform of the Security Council; active participation in strategies to combat terrorism, illegal human trafficking, drug trafficking, organized and cross-border crime, endemic diseases and pandemics, extremism, xenophobia, racial discrimination and corruption; active defense of human rights; active participation in mitigating catastrophic effects of climate change; and active participation in the execution of the UN 2030 and African Union 2063 agendas, in parallel with their own Horizon 2020 national program.