The member representing the Ika North East constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Mrs. Marilyn Okowa-Daramola has assured the World Health Organisation and other partners of an increase in the family planning budget.
She gave the assurance after being conferred with the award of ‘Delta Family Planning Ambassador’ by the Family planning team of the State Ministry of Health and its associates on Monday in Asaba.
The lawmaker pledged to work with the partners and associates to break all barriers against women and girl children about family planning in the state.
She said, “I stand before you today with immense gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility as I accept the role of Family Planning Ambassador for Delta State.
“I want to thank the Ministry of Health and Family Planning partners and advocates, who have placed their trust in me to champion this vital cause.
“Family planning is not just a matter of reproductive health, it is a fundamental human right.
“I stand before you today with immense gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility as I accept the role of Family Planning Ambassador for Delta State.
“I want to thank the Ministry of Health and Family Planning partners and advocates, who have placed their trust in me to champion this vital cause.
“Family planning is not just a matter of reproductive health; it is a fundamental human right.”
She noted that family planning was a pathway to gender equality, economic stability, improved healthcare outcomes and the cornerstone of a brighter and more prosperous future for Delta.
Okowa-Daramola said the World Contraception Day which is celebrated every September 26, would serve as a global reminder of the critical importance of access to family planning services.
The Director of Public Health, Delta Ministry of Health, Dr. Christian Tetsola, who confirmed the award on Okowa-Daramola, solicited an increase and implementation of the FP budget, noting that her role in women and girl child empowerment informed the investiture as the FP ambassador.
“We are here as part of the event to mark the veneration of the World Contraception Day for 2023 and today we confer on Okowa-Daramola, the title of Family Planning ambassador and by extension, reproductive health ambassador.
“She has been an advocate for the girl-child and reproductive issue also mainly to do with women, though men are included,” he said.
Tetsola said that the ministry has outlined its programmes to mark the year’s World Contraception Day with a road walk to advocate for family planning in the state capital, Asaba.
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