UNFPA IN THE NEWS – NOVEMBER 29-DECEMBER 5, 2003

WORLD AIDS DAY: December 1, 2003

A December 1 story byThis Day (Nigeria) noted Director-General of UNESCO, Mr. Koichiro Matsuura said in a message to mark World AIDS Day that he regretted the stigma and discrimination, which "remain central features in contemporary attitudes to HIV/AIDS", saying, "it is a global problem that requires a global response." He also said the development goals "can be improved by the introduction of improved workplace policies, similar to those advocated by the ILO; by programs that target orphans and young people in general, such as those advocated by UNFPA and UNICEF; by ensuring food security in the manner advocated by WFP; and by widespread preventive education programs that target the adults of tomorrow, such as those promoted by UNESCO." Read: This Day

Ghana News Agency reported December 2 that the government would soon introduce a National HIV/AIDS/STI Policy to provide legal and regulatory framework for addressing the problem of discrimination and stigmatization against People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Mr. Moses Mukasa, Resident Coordinator of UNFPA, read the message of UN Secretary-General, Busumuru Kofi Annan to mark the day. Busumuru Annan said the epidemic was continuing its lethal march around the world despite huge resources being committed by governments and through the Global Fund to Fight AIDS. Read: Ghana News Agency

The Daily Star (Lebanon) reported December 5 that the HIV/AIDS infection rates may be low in Lebanon, but the disease’s stigma may exact heavy toll. The story also noted early next year the National AIDS Control Program, in conjunction with the United Nations Population Fund, plans to release a five-year national strategy for combating AIDS, providing guidelines and actions for NGOs and governments to implement. Morocco has already issued a national strategic plan, while Syria, Jordan and Egypt are in the process of elaborating theirs. Read: Daily Star

A December 1 editorial byIllawarra Mercury (Australia) that marked World AIDS Day mentioned in 2003 every 14 seconds a young person is infected with HIV. According to the United Nations Population Fund, about 6,000 people between the ages of 15 and 24 are infected with the virus every day.

Radio Netherlands reported December 1 that Sweden recently appointed Europe's first HIV/AIDS ambassador, Lennart Hjelmaker who will be focusing on efforts to tackle the pandemic in Africa. Hjelmaker said: "The Swedish government is aware of the necessity to do more to tackle the problem. Introducing budget legislation on 22 September, it said that HIV/AIDS should be the first priority in our development cooperation plans for the coming year. That means that the government has proposed huge increases in assistance to UN organizations like UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNDP, UNICEF, and others dealing either directly or indirectly with HIV/AIDS." Read: Radio Netherlands

The Daily Star (Bangladesh) reported December 3 to mark World AIDS Day, the Bangladesh Manobadhikar Sangbadik Forum and the Bandhu Social Welfare Society jointly organized a discussion on marketing female condoms so that women, particularly the sex workers, could protect themselves from the risk of HIV/AIDS infection. The story noted Suneeta Mukherjee, UNFPA representative, attended the discussion as chief guest and Pam Baatsen, country director of the Family Health International, was present as special guest. Read: Daily Star and Matamat

United News of Bangladesh reported November 30 that Amra Kuri, a national children's organization, will hold a discussion, cultural function and a rally at Shishu Academy here in observance of the World AIDS Day 2003. State Minister for Water resources Advocate Goutam Chakraborty will be the chief guest while Dr. Nurul Amin of UNFPA will attend as special guest at the function. Read: United News of Bangladesh

BANGLADESH: Safe Motherhood Program Funded

Daily Star (Bangladesh) reported December 3 that UNFPA, on behalf of six partner UN agencies, UNDP, UNICEF, WHO, WFP, FAO and UNESCO – will implement the project "UN Safe Motherhood Initiative” under Health and Family Welfare Ministry in Tangail district by September 2006. The agreement that includes Tk 20.15 crore to implement the project was signed between ERD Secretary Mirza Tasadduq Hussain Beg and UNFPA Representative Suneeta Mukherjee. Read: Daily Star

BURUNDI: HIV/AIDS Rates Increase in Times of Conflict

In a December 1 story by Reuters on HIV/AIDS rates in Burundi, it mentioned last year, a survey by the U.N. Population Fund found 282,000 internally displaced people living in camps in Burundi. In addition, UNICEF surveyed young people in the camps and found that one in 10 had been raped. Read: Reuters

INDONESIA: HIV/AIDS Prevention Needs to Reach Young People

A December 4 story by The Jakarta Post (Indonesia) quoted UNFPA Representative Bernard Coquelin as saying, "The data shows us that advocacy to young people on the prevention of HIV/AIDS is needed for a better future as young people play the key role in this country within the next 10 years." Read: Jakarta Post

IRELAND: Goodwill Ambassador Appointed

Irish Times (UK) reported December 1 that UNFPA announced the appointment of David Andrews, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and current chairperson of the Irish Red Cross Society, as special goodwill ambassador for HIV/AIDS. "In particular, I will use this ambassadorship to ensure that the global fight against HIV/AIDS is a key issue for our Government's presidency of the European Union in 2001." Executive Director of UNFPA, Ms. Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, said: "Mr. Andrews will be a most valuable advocate of population issues, especially in the area of HIV/AIDS prevention, and of the work of the UNFPA."

KYRGYZSTAN: Early Marriages on the Rise

IRIN reported December 1 that officials and experts have expressed concern over early marriages in Kyrgyzstan, a tendency observed in most of the country's rural areas. According to the United Nations Population Fund's mid-term review report of its country programme in Kyrgyzstan 2002, the spread of polygamy, early marriage and segregation and seclusion of women are among the most alarming tendencies observed in the ex-Soviet republic. Read: IRIN

PAKISTAN: Report on Fertility Rates

Pakistan Newswire reported November 30 that Pakistan is faced with "a high fertility rate," currently at 5.08 percent, compounded by low levels of contraceptive use. According to latest report of European Commission, United Nations Population Fund EC-UNFPA Initiative for Reproductive Health in Asia, Pakistan as a traditional society harbors strong values on issues regarding the family, reproductive health and gender relationships. The report also said that providing sexual and reproductive health information for adolescents was "an innovative activity.” Information has also been spread to young people through peer education and other community networks.

RUSSIA: Funding for HIV/AIDS Prevention Projects

TASS reported December 1 that the UN Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria will issue 32 million to Russia for HIV/AIDS control by the end of this year, said UNFPA coordinator in Russia, Lidia Bardakova. She said the money was intended for a consortium of five non-governmental organizations. Projects slated for financing are "to give patients with the AIDS virus guarantees of broader access to medical and social services."

UNITED STATES: U.S. Funding for UNFPA

The Philadelphia Inquirer (PA) ran a December 2 editorial on the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson’s trip to Africa to coincide with World AIDS Day and Bush administration’s efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS worldwide. The editorial urged, “In policy terms, Thompson – who also is board chairman of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria – should take back to Washington the realities that must be integrated into U.S. policymaking if the fight against AIDS is to be won.” The editorial then warned, “It won't be, if social conservatives continue to restrict AIDS and foreign-aid funding so family planning is abandoned. (One example of that came last year when Bush held back $34 million to the U.N. Population Fund based on unproven charges that the group supported abortion in China.) Read: Philadelphia Inquirer

A December 1 editorial by The Hartford Courant (CT) cited statistics that reveal every day around the world, more than 70,000 teenage girls are married, many against their will, and nearly 40,000 give birth, sometimes in ignorance and under filthy conditions. These numbing facts were presented by Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund, on the occasion of World Population Day in July. They seem to have had had little impact on the Bush administration, which has refused to fund $34 million of the money allocated by Congress for this humanitarian agency to do its vital work in 140 countries. Assisting girls to complete school and delay marriage and motherhood is the only way to break the cycle of poor health, illiteracy and poverty. The editorial urged: “Lawmakers should restore full funding for this vital service. This is a humanitarian issue, not a political one.” Jane Roberts, Co-Founder of the 34 Million Friends of UNFPA campaign, responded to the editorial in a December 4 letter by saying, “Congratulations to The Courant on its Dec. 1 editorial ["Make Maternal Health A Priority"] supporting the humanitarian work of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)…As I told the people of Mali and Senegal when I was there visiting UNFPA clinics in February, although our government has chosen not to participate in the work of UNFPA, we the people are doing our best to right this wrong.” Read: Hartford Courant: Editorial and Dec. 4 letter

On November 30, the St .Paul Pioneer Press (MN) ran an op ed by Pathfinder International President Daniel Pellegrom in time for World AIDS Day. “As a nation to whom so much has been given, we have an unprecedented opportunity to help make a difference in the fight against AIDS. To do so will require our government to commit to the following initiatives: Restore funding for the United Nations Population Fund; Repeal the Global Gag Rule; and Fully fund Bush's AIDS initiative. Make a long-term commitment to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria.” Pellegrom concluded: “…The opportunity exists to make a difference and create positive change for families who face an epidemic that threatens their future. We talk of leading – will we also step up to the challenge and make the policy decisions that can help address the crisis? Will we fund the U.N.? Repeal the Gag Rule? Do we really intend to save people's lives? It's time to take action.” Read: St. Paul Pioneer Press

VIETNAM: Harmonizing Development Projects

Vietnam News Agency reported December 3 that the Ministry of Planning and Investment announced that it will prioritize granting Official Development Assistance (ODA) funds in the 2003-2005 period to socio-economic infrastructure development projects, including those on transport, communication, electricity, irrigation, education, healthcare, safe water, HIV-AIDS prevention, and environmental protection. Viet Nam has in the past time made progress in harmonizing procedures and processes for ODA donors, helping reduce transaction costs and increase the efficiency of disbursement. Recognizing these improvements, the European Union and other international organizations such as UNDP, UNICEF and UNFPA are working with Viet Nam in an attempt to further harmonize the multitude of procedures for ODA. Read: Vietnam News Agency

VIETNAM: Working Closely with the United Nations

Vietnam News Agency’s December 2 issue reported on a workshop entitled "United Nations Security Council and Experiences in Preparing for its Membership"thatwas held in Hanoi reportedthat recently, Viet Nam has actively participated in multilateral diplomatic activities, being a member of many UN agencies including ECOSOC, UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA and the IAEA, to which Viet Nam has raised many initiatives and made active contributions. Read: Vietnam News Agency

ZIMBABWE: Malnutrition and AIDS Major Contributions to Infant Death

The Herald (Zimbabwe) reported December 5 that at a workshop on reporting challenges faced in reproductive health, HIV and AIDS in Zimbabwe and Africa, malnutrition and the HIV and AIDS scourge have been described as major contributors in the increased number of infant deaths. UNFPA reproductive health officer Mrs. Shelly Chitsungo said some babies who might have not been infected by HIV acquire the virus from their mothers at birth. "Most HIV transmissions of babies usually occur during labor. If an HIV positive mother is not aware of her status and goes into labor, she is likely to infect the baby, therefore putting the baby’s life at risk," said Mrs. Chitsungo. Read: The Herald

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