UNFPA in India has been assisting the Government of India since 1974 to provide family planning and health services, advance reproductive health and rights and improve maternal health. Its Ninth Country Programme of assistance (2018-2022) to the Government of India supports national efforts in achieving universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, with specific focus on adolescent health and promotes gender equality. This support is located in the context of priority national programmes that aims to promote adolescent health (Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram) and strengthen health and wellness centres (Ayushman Bharat).
The programme focuses on empowering young people with critical life skills including the provision of sexual and reproductive health information and services, and addressing gender discrimination and harmful practices such as gender-biased sex selection and child marriage. UNFPA leads in supporting government in using demographic data to understand population dynamics, and to inform public policy, especially related to ageing.
UNFPA will prioritise its attention on the most vulnerable and marginalised young women and girls by concentrating in four states identified by the Government as a priority for United Nations assistance: Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Rajasthan. Within these states, two to three priority districts have been selected based on a vulnerability mapping exercise and government priorities for concerted action.
