The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), India and the A.N.Sinha Institute of Social Studies(ANSISS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Patna September 20.

The purpose of this MoU is to provide a framework of cooperation and facilitate collaboration between ANSISS and UNFPA in areas of reproductive health and gender equality to understand and explore the attitudes and behaviours, barriers and opportunities and support in formulating relevant programs and policies for the Government of Bihar.

Ms Andrea M. Wojnar, India Representative and Country Director Bhutan and Sri Asangba Chuba Ao, IAS, Education Secretary, GoB Directors, ANSISS signed the MoU.
Sri Asangba Chuba Ao, IAS, Education Secretary, GoB Director, ANSISS welcomed the dignitaries and highlighted the objective of the MoU.

He mentioned that with the financial and technical support from UNFPA, ANSISS will delve into policy-oriented research on socio-demographic issues and disseminate the findings,thus facilitating policy formulation. He also spoke about how this partnership will mentor young scholars through capacity building, organisation of academic events and policy advocacy of national and international significance.

Ms. Andrea Wojnar said that the UNFPA and A. N. Sinha collaboration will generate data and evidence on sexual and reproductive health services, gender, child marriage, and young population to inform crucial policy making, planning and implementation. Both organization's will work together with multilateral government entities to build their capacities on the use of data and advocate for reducing gaps in gender-disaggregated data. UNFPA will promote young researchers in Bihar by facilitating the ‘Young Professional Internship Programme (YPIP)’ to mentor students and research fellows, and to catalyse the environment for quality research from Bihar.

The Chief Guest, Sri Deepak Kumar Singh, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Education, GoB in his speech emphasised the critical importance and relevance of this partnership for the development of the institute. He highlighted ANSISS prestigious glory in the field of social science research. Initiatives and collaborations such as these will increase the visibility of the institute on national and international forums which in turn will support the government to make informed policy decisions.

Sri, Sanjay Singh, IAS, Executive Director, State Health Society appreciated the coming together of UNFPA with ANSISS. He stated that the research activities that will be carried out will support the health department in the implementation of programs related to sexual and reproductive health.

Faculty, research scholars from AN Sinha Institute of Social Studies, UNFPA staff, Govt officials from the education and health department and media people participated in the event.