SIPPA to relocate temporarily

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

Group photo of SIPPA Executive and HE Brazier and delegation

THE Solomon Islands Planned Parenthood Association (SIPPA) will relocate in six days’ time temporarily as the old complex undergoes refurbishment funded by the Australian government.

Currently, SIPPA staff and volunteers are packing their belongings to relocate to a new building next door, a facility belonging to the Red Cross Solomon Islands.

Prior to the relocation, Australia High Commissioner His Excellency Roderick Brazier and wife Meta Brazier and other officers visited the SIPPA complex on Wednesday.

For the refurbishment, it costs SIPPA $1.4million, which in no time, Australian government through DFAT had stepped in to support alongside the partnership for health project.

SIPPA President Mr Charles Meke while hosting HE Brazier and team in a visit, said, “This building will undergo refurbishment, changing the roof structure and internal structure to provide more room and space to provide quality services for our clients.

“The duration for refurbishment is three-month and it cost SIPPA SBD$1.4M which made all made possible through Australia government through the partnership for health project.”

Mr Meke acknowledged the Australian government and people for such generous support as it will help women and youths through clinical services and SRHR programme.

Brazier said Australia remains firmly committed to promoting and defending sexual and reproductive health and rights globally.

In doing so, Brazier said IPPF and SIPPA are key partners in ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health, which particularly for women and girls is fundamental to national development.

He also adds that SIPPA’s combined approach surrounding service delivery, advocating to political and religious leaders and targeted educational campaigns has helped them achieve tangible results in a challenging environment.

With the great work done, Brazier said Australia also values SIPPA’s work with adolescents.

“SIPPA’s work in providing outreach services to otherwise unserved populations is critical and Australia hopes this work can continue to expand in future years,” he said.

Meanwhile, SIPPA’s current executive board members consist of four members, four ordinary board members and two youth representatives—board requirements have 50 percent female and 20 percent youths.

SIPPA aimed to bring its governance to highest helm and stronger Member Association with other developing countries.

They established in four provinces such as SIPPA Honiara, Auki, Gizo and Taro with 120 community based educators and distributors.

Currently, SIPPA is managing four project apart from IPPF—Partnership for Health, Humanitarian SPRINT project and Safe Abortion Action Funds.

This year SIPPA is looking forward to create new partnership with the SAFENET to support in addressing Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV).

Discover more from Theislandsun

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading