USAID And British Work To Improve Sexual Health

Main Category: Sexual Health / STDs
Also Included In: Aid / Disasters
Article Date: 07 May 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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A new program aimed at reducing the rate of new HIV infections and child mortality and improving reproductive and sexual health for Cambodians begins May 6 thanks to the joint efforts of the U.S. Agency for International Development and the British Department for International Development (DFID).

Together, the two development agencies will invest up to $27 million during the next five years encouraging the nation's most poor and vulnerable populations to use donor-subsidized contraceptives. The Evidence to Action Partnership for Health, as the program is called, will use social marketing to promote and distribute affordable contraceptives as well as change ideas, attitudes and behaviors to expand the use and sale of contraceptives throughout Cambodia.

"Through a groundbreaking partnership between USAID and DFID, this program will ensure that all Cambodians - regardless of their socio-economic status - have access to the products and information they need to make informed decisions about their health and well being," said Erin Soto, mission director of USAID Cambodia.

The effort builds on the Royal Government of Cambodia's 100% Condom Use Program, which has helped decrease HIV/AIDS in Cambodia, a rare success story in the global fight against the disease.

Also, by increasing access to high-quality, affordable contraceptives, more couples can plan births.

For more information about USAID and its programs in Cambodia, visit http://www.usaid.gov.

The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, have provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for nearly 50 years.

U.S. Agency for International Development
http://www.usaid.gov