UNFPA and Organon partner to advance youth, women health in Vietnam
WVR - On November 17, in Hanoi, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Organon have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand access to accurate, timely and youth-friendly information on sexual and reproductive health and rights for adolescents and young people across Vietnam.
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| UNFPA and Organon signed a MoU to expand access to accurate, timely and youth-friendly information on sexual and reproductive health and rights for adolescents and young people across Vietnam. (Source: UNFPA) |
The agreement underscores the critical role that access to information plays in enabling young people to make informed decisions about their bodies, health, and futures.
Vietnam is home to over 101 million people with over 20 million individuals aged 10–24 years, currently benefiting from its demographic dividend. Yet, despite remarkable economic progress, stark inequities persist:
Adolescent fertility remains a concern: 34 births per 1,000 girls aged 15–19 in 2023, with teenage pregnancy rates climbing to 76 per 1,000 in the Central Highlands and 115 per 1,000 among ethnic minority communities.
Although almost 59% of women of reproductive age use modern contraceptives, unmet needs persist with a 10% unmet need amongst married women at national level, 17% among ethnic minority women and rising to 41% among unmarried sexually active women.
Only around 18% of adolescent girls (15–19 years) make independent decisions about intercourse and contraception compared to 61% of women in their reproductive age.
Despite progress in universal access to antenatal care and institutional delivery services, inequities among youth and ethnic minority communities present ongoing challenges. Addressing adolescent pregnancy, access to modern contraceptives, and decision-making autonomy on sexual and reproductive health is essential to realising equal rights for all.
Therefore, the partnership between UNFPA and Organon aims at key objectives including: Promoting comprehensive, evidence-based education on sexual and reproductive health; Addressing persistent gaps in knowledge and access to essential services, including family planning, for adolescents and youth; Supporting policies that reflect the realities and needs of young people in a changing demographic landscape; and Encouraging youth and women participation in shaping sexual and reproductive health and rights programmes and advocacy efforts.
The MoU specifies how these goals will be achieved through collaboration in three strategic areas: generating data to inform policy, strengthening systems and capacity, and driving public education and innovation.
Country Lead for Organon Vietnam Vo Thi Thuy Ha said: “Access to accurate information is the foundation of health equity. This partnership is about ensuring that every Vietnamese woman has the knowledge and confidence to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health. Organon is deeply committed to improving the health and wellbeing of women, recognizing that when women thrive, families and communities thrive. Our purpose is to create a healthier future by listening to women and addressing the gaps in healthcare that impact their lives and society.”
For his part, UNFPA Representative in Vietnam Matt Jackson said: “We will continue working to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person can reach their full potential. By equipping youth with accurate information and ensuring access to high-quality, stigma-free services, we can create a future where all individuals contribute and thrive.
“This commitment lies at the heart of UNFPA’s efforts to achieve our three transformative results by 2030: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; and ending gender-based violence and harmful practices”, he added.
The event brought together representatives from UNFPA, Organon and other UN agencies, Viet Nam Population Authority, National Statistics Office, and population experts to highlight the importance of cross-sector collaboration in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to health, education, and gender equality.
The MoU takes effect from November 2025, with both parties committed to ongoing evaluation and continuous improvement of joint initiatives to ensure lasting impact.
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| The agreement underscores the critical role that access to information plays in enabling young people to make informed decisions about their bodies, health, and futures. (Source: UNFPA) |
