UN Foundation Announces Press Fellowship in Haiti with Focus on Women’s Health and Rights

The United Nations Foundation today announced a global issues fellowship focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights in Haiti for a select group of U.S.-based journalists during the first week of July 2015. In the five years since the devastating earthquake, the country has been faced with a number of challenges, particularly for girls and women, including lack of access to quality reproductive health information and services, and high maternal mortality rates. However, the country has seen promising growth, development, and new strategies to address the needs and rights of girls and women.

In close coordination with UNFPA and other UN agencies, USAID, government ministries and other partners with in-country expertise, the fellowship will offer unparalleled, direct access to hear stories from health workers, health experts and government officials. Journalists will have the opportunity to observe family planning campaigns, youth-related programming, and maternal health initiatives and hear personal stories directly from girls, women and their families.

“As the world turns its attention to the new sustainable development goals, it is more important than ever that we put the needs and rights of girls and women at the center of the conversation. In particular, we know that a lack of access to reproductive health care has tremendous effects for girls, women, families and communities, and impedes global development. This fellowship will give journalists the opportunity to see the complexities of these challenges first-hand, and also learn about progress made and opportunities for the future,” said Seema Jalan, Senior Director of the Universal Access Project.

This fellowship is intended for U.S.-based journalists who do not have regular access to key experts in Haiti, but are interested in sexual and reproductive health, international development, and the United Nations. Special consideration will be given to journalists whose portfolios include global health or foreign affairs.

The application deadline is May 25, 2015. To apply, click here. For more information please contact kbrandon@unfoundation.org.

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About 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 global corporations, foundations, governments, and individuals. For more information, visit www.unfoundation.org.