In collaboration with the Jordanian Association for Family Planning and Protection (JAFPP), and with support from Share-Net Netherlands, the Higher Population Council held an awareness workshop on Sunday about sexual and reproductive health/ family planning issues. The workshop was attended by media professionals from various media organizations as well as supporters of population and development issues.

In her remarks, HPC Director of Communications, Etaf Al Hadid, noted that the workshop aims to raise the awareness of media professionals about SRH/ family planning issues in Jordan to enhance their capacity to cover these issues in the media, raise public awareness and help change behaviors and attitudes towards these issues.

Ms. Hadid also stressed that the media plays a vital role and serves as a key partner in advancing population and development issues, including SRH/ family planning to help achieve the desired goals in this field.

Moreover, HPC Programs Unit Director, Dr. Sawsan Al Daaja, gave a presentation explaining the concept and different aspects of reproductive health and how it contributes to achieving the demographic opportunity. In addition, HPC Senior Researcher, Ghaleb Al Azzeh, gave a presentation on raising the awareness of adolescents and youth in Jordan about sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, while HPC Marketing and PR Coordinator, Nisreen Al Qassas, explained how population and development issues are addressed by the media. From the Jordanian Association for Family Planning and Protection, Dr. Shaima Jawawdeh gave a presentation on family planning and touched upon related issues including breast and cervical cancer.

Media professionals who participated in the workshop engaged in a rich discussion and a questions and answers session.