UNFPA IN THE NEWS – AUGUST 21-SEPTEMBER 10, 2004

COUNTDOWN 2015— LONDON ROUNDTABLE

The Economist (U.K.) reported September 2 that according to UNFPA, 61% of married couples now use contraception, an 11% increase since 1994. This has helped push global population growth down from 82 million to 76 million people a year over the past decade. But in some places—particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia —birth rates remain high. That has spurred some governments to offer incentives to those who have fewer children, and others to inflict penalties on those who do not. Sometimes, a high birth rate is a result of people wanting large families. But often it is due to a lack of affordable contraception. UNFPA estimates that 137 million women who want to use contraception cannot obtain it. Read: The Economist

More coverage of the Round Table:

Detroit Free Press
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Boston Globe
Reuters
The Independent (U.K.)
BBC News
Pravda (Russia)
Los Angeles Times

Inter Press Service reported September 8 that various suggestions were put forward in London as to why AIDS prevention and sexual and reproductive health are not dealt with jointly to a greater degree—even though most adult HIV infections in Africa, the continent worst-affected by AIDS, occur via heterosexual transmission. "The issue is not that the two cannot be combined. But as the (AIDS) epidemic became more serious, it received greater awareness, more funding, more political leadership and support," said Thoraya Ahmed Obaid , executive director of UNFPA. Inter Press Service reported September 3 that in spite of the donations made by Britain and other funders, UNFPA says overall funding for contraceptive programs fell in 2002 to almost 198 million dollars. Read: Inter Press Service: Aug. 21, Aug. 24, Aug. 25, Aug. 28, Aug. 29, Aug. 31, Sept. 3, Sept. 8

The East African Standard (Kenya) reported September 5 a severe condom shortage occasioned by the withdrawal of funding for contraceptives by major donors could worsen the HIV/AIDS pandemic currently ravaging the world, and having the most devastating effect in sub-Saharan Africa. According to Thoraya Obaid, the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund, if all the condoms available in Africa were to be distributed, every man would get only three condoms a year. Donor funding for contraceptives has gone done from 30 percent in 1992 to 20 percent 10 years later, according to Obaid. "Initially, the Netherlands and United Kingdom gave $75 million last year for contraceptives for one year alone, and this has been used to the last cent," she said. Read: East African Standard

Another East African Standard (Kenya) story on September 5 also noted Thoraya Obaid, the Executive Director of United Nations Population Fund, said nothing would work if the world failed to accept the principles of human rights. "Women's rights are human rights and it's sad that in the world today women are simply dying because they are having babies." Obaid stressed the need for skilled staff to attend to mothers as well as provide emergency obstetrics services.

On September 4 The East African Standard (Kenya) reported as world leaders gathered at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in London to discuss issues of sexual and reproductive health rights, not a single Kenyan minister or Member of Parliament was present. Thoraya Obaid, the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund, says donor funding on contraceptives has gone done from 30 per cent in 1992 to 20 per cent 10 years later. "Initially the Netherlands and United Kingdom gave $75 million last year for contraceptives for one year alone and this has been used to the last cent," Obaid said. Read: East African Standard

The Vanguard (Nigeria) reported September 2 that the international goal is to reduce maternal mortality by 75 percent by 2015 said UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Obaid at the on going ICPD 10th anniversary in London. Obaid revealed that every year, over half a million women, about 529,000, die from complications of pregnancy and childbirth, adding that "this tragedy is compounded by the fact that most of these deaths could be easily prevented." She said her organization is proud to join the winning partnership to bring increased attention and resources where they are urgently needed to save lives. Read: The Vanguard

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT

Xinhua General News Service reported September 7 that the Partners in Population and Development, a south-south organization, held its ninth annual conference in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province. More than 70 ministers and high-ranking officials of population affairs from the 20 member countries attended the conference. Thoraya Obaid, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UNFPA, and high officials from the World Health Organization and other international organizations were also invited to the conference. At the conference, China and United Nations Population Fund jointly launched a RH/FP project in protecting civil rights, improving women's reproductive health, caring for adolescents' needs for reproductive health, promoting gender equality, preventing HIV/AIDS and reducing maternal and child mortality. Read: Xinhua General News Service

HELSINKI GROUP CALLS FOR MORE HELP TO BRIDGE POVERTY GAP

Xinhua General News Service reported August 30 that a broadened coalition was called for by the Helsinki Group, a non-governmental think-tank, to bridge the gap in between the world's rich and poor. The group consists of such personalities as International Chamber of Commerce secretary-general, OECD trade union advisory committee secretary-general, Club of Rome president, EU commissioner, UNFPA executive director, World Bank vice-president for Europe, former deputy secretary of state of the United States and former GATT and WTO secretary-general.

ARMENIA: Government Ready to Introduce Sex Education in Schools

ARMINFO reported September 3 that UNFPA is ready to assist Armenia's Education and Science Ministry in introducing the healthy lifestyle subject in the curricula of Armenian schools, said UNFPA country director for Armenia Anne-Birgitte Albrectsen. This is a very important agreement especially as the Armenian government has adopted a law on reproductive health, said Albrectsen. The story noted that UNFPA provides Armenia with both technical and consultative assistance. It implements $500,000 worth projects in the country each year.

AZERBAIJAN: Regional Director Visits

Azer News (Azerbaijan) reported August 26 that the UNFPA representative in Turkey and regional director to Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia, Anne Birgitte Albrektsen, visited Baku on August 23. The Fund's office in Azerbaijan has been assisting the country's government in providing reproductive health services to the public through projects implemented jointly by the Ministries of Health, Education, Labor and Social Security, and the State Statistics Committee. Read: Azer News

BENIN: Women’s Rights Initiative Much Needed

Panafrican News Agency reported September 2 that Family Affairs, Social Protection and Solidarity minister, Massyatou Latoundji Lauriano, launched a "Women Rights Initiative." The story noted that at the social level, a survey carried out in 2002 by UNFPA/Benin revealed that Benin women suffer a lot of prejudice, have little power in society and communities, and have little freedom of action and decision making in the household.

CARIBBEAN: Youth and Adults Work Together to Fight HIV/AIDS

Heartbeat News (Caribbean) reported August 27 that a call has been made for young people and adults to band together in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The UNFPA believes the adult and organizational commitment needed to turn the tide of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the region has to be accompanied by the education and empowerment of adolescents and youth since they are key to prevention. In the Caribbean, of the 70 percent of AIDS cases reported in the 15-44 year old age bracket, 50 per cent are between 25 and 34 years. Of that number 42 percent initiate sex before the age of 10, and an additional 20 percent by the age of 12. “It is crucial to educate and empower our adolescents and youth as they are key to HIV prevention,” said Sarjeant. Read: Heartbeat News

ETHIOPIA: Defar Named UNFPA Ambassador

The Daily Monitor (Ethiopia) reported September 9 that Meseret Defar, 5000m Olympic champion, was appointed as UNFPA national ambassador to champion the causes of women, youth and HIV/AIDS at a ceremony held at the Sheraton Addis. Dr. Monique Rakotomalala, UNFPA Representative, in her opening remarks said: "Looking back at the final minutes of the 5000m race, where Meseret was engaged in a head to head battle with her opponents, it seems as if this petite girl was suddenly saying to the world ' I will not be left behind ' ." Read: The Daily Monitor

GHANA: Breaking through Cultural and Religious Barriers for Safe Motherhood

Ghana News Agency reported September 6 that Ghana Health Service is undertaking an aggressive communications drive to break the cultural and religious barriers that prevent pregnant women from seeking skilled attention during delivery. The story noted that public health specialists, nurses, nutrition officers and midwives are attending the five-day meeting, sponsored by UNFPA. Read: Ghana News Agency

INDIA: Meeting Called to Discover Health Problems of Rural Women

The Statesman (India) reported September 6 that the United Nations Population Fund (UNPFA) and the State Commission for Women (SCW), in collaboration with the Action Aid of India, organized the state's first Jana Sambad in the Balikuda block of Jagatsinghpur district to assess the health problems of rural women and their views on health and nutrition for changing health policies.

INDIA: Unmarried Men More Likely to Have Sex with Men than Sex Workers

The Hindustan Times (India) ran a column by Karan Thapar on August 28 that said: “ The truth of the matter is that sex between men is not as exceptional as we think it is. Nor is the taboo against it universal. A recent but unpublished study by the UNFPA has revealed that unmarried men in rural India are more likely to have sex with another man than with commercial sex workers.” Read: The Hindustan Times

INDONESIA: International Youth Day

The Jakarta Post (Indonesia) reported September 1 that a seminar was held to commemorate International Youth Day, which fell on Aug. 12, and was organized by Aksi Stop AIDS and the AIDS Eradication Commission of the Office of the Coordinating Minister for People ' s Welfare with support from UNICEF, UNFPA and UNAIDS.

LIBERIA: Women Urged Not to Surrender Control and Decision-Making to Men

The News (Nigeria) reported August 31 that UNFPA country representative in Liberia , Deji Popoola, has challenged Liberian women not to surrender control and decision-making concerning their economic future to men without a good fight. Dr. Popoola said it is the right of women to decide on issues that affect their life instead of looking up to men to do it for them. Popoola spoke at the first anniversary and formal launching program of the Liberia Women Media Action Committee (LIWOMAC) held at the Press Union of Liberia Headquarters in Monrovia. Speaking on the theme, "Women, The Right to Know", the UNFPA Representative said women need to know that they have the necessary potentials just like their male partners. The Inquirer (Liberia) also reported on this story.

LIBERIA: Workforce at Highest Risk of HIV/AIDS Infection

The Inquirer (Liberia) reported August 27 that UNFPA Country Representative in Liberia , Dr. Deji Popoola, said that the Liberian workforce is at the highest risk of HIV/AIDS infection and needs to benefit from communication tools that will reverse the imminent danger. According to a Labor Ministry release, Dr. Popoola’s statement was delivered on his behalf by UNFPA national program officer, Mr. Alfred K. Tarway Twalla, during a National Symposium on HIV/AIDS at the workplace held at the Ministry of Labor recently. Read: The Inquirer

MYANMAR: Government Devises Reproductive Health Plan

Xinhua General News Service reported September 6 that Myanmar has drawn up a five-year strategic reproductive health plan, aimed at reducing maternal mortality and improving the basic reproductive health care. The plan, funded by the United Nations Population Fund and the World Health Organization (WHO), will be implemented on approval by the Myanmar Health Ministry, the WHO country office was quoted by the Myanmar Times. The UN Population Fund has also emphasized the urgent need to address adolescent reproductive health in Myanmar where young people aged between 12 and 24 make up about 30 percent of the country's over-52-million population. The project will also improve access to reproductive health information, education and services for young people, according to the UN agency.

NIGER: Curing Girls of Obstetric Fistula

Inter Press Service (IPS) reported August 26 that according to official statistics, Niger has the highest fertility rate in sub-Saharan Africa—on average, women have eight children each. But, it's unclear how many of them suffer from fistulas. “There is no exact figure on the number of women with fistulas in Niger, but there must be many since all the factors which correlate with the appearance of fistulas are present," Nathalie Maulet, a technical advisor on gender issues at the UNFPA office in Niamey, told IPS. These factors include early marriage, which is very common in rural areas; the continuing practice of female genital mutilation and a general lack of reproductive health care. Read: Inter Press Service

NIGERIA: Youth Needs Attention

This Day (Nigeria) reported September 5 that the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) said that despite various initiatives and relatively increased attention to the key group of any economy, the implementation of youth specific integrated policies have been lagging far behind national priorities and, in some cases, just are not in place. The director of Africa division at UNFPA, Ms. Fama Hane-Ba said youth and adolescent population presents a unique economic opportunity insisting that with appropriate investments in health, education, conducive economic policies and good governance, Africa can harness the potential of the largest expected labor force and use its youthful population as a key factor for social economic transformation.

PHILIPPINES: Population Growth Finally Recognized by the Government

BusinessWorld (Philippines) reported August 30 that the Philippines' rapid population growth is a perennial issue that affects people's standard of living yet the government refuses to admit it as a problem up to now. Total population, which currently stands at around 84 million, is expected to reach 128.4 million by 2050, according to the United Nations Population Fund.

RUSSIA: Government Seeks Help from UNFPA in Demographic Policy

Interfax reported September 7 that Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Yury Fedotov met with Sietske Steneker, UNFPA country representative in Russia. " Russia has expressed satisfaction with Russia-UNFPA cooperation and said it is interested in developing it in accordance with the priorities of its national demographic policy," the Foreign Ministry said. Read: Interfax

SIERRA LEONE: HIV/AIDS Policy Briefing

The Standard Times (Sierra Leone) reported August 31 that a one-day HIV/AIDS policy implementation workshop for senior officers of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) was held at the Ministry of Defense Conference Hall in Freetown. UNFPA HIV/AIDS program coordinator, Dr. Mustapha Adeoye, said the subject of HIV/AIDS is a living one, adding that even the virus itself has the capacity to change. He reiterated the continuing commitment of the UNFPA country office in working with partners in the implementation of HIV/AIDS prevention programs for the RSLAF and their families. Read: Standard Times

SIERRA LEONE: HIV/AIDS Education Incorporated into Police Training

The Standard Times reported August 31 that in a bid to halt the rapid spread of the HIV/AIDS pandemic within the police force and the country at large, the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) has incorporated HIV/AIDS education into its recruit-training program. UNFPA representative, Dr. Mamadou Diallo, who officially launched the program also emphasized its importance in streamlining the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the Sierra Leone Police, which he said will contribute in no small way in protecting recruits and the entire personnel of the SLP. Read: Standard Times

SIERRA LEONE: Workshop on Population and Family Life for Teachers

The Standard Times (Sierra Leone) reported August 24 that the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology with funds provided by UNFPA, started a five-day in service training workshop in population/family life education for primary school teachers at the presidential lounge of the national stadium.

SUDAN: Slight Decrease in Hepatitis E Cases

IRIN reported September 10 that a slight decrease in Hepatitis E cases has been reported in the troubled Sudanese states of South and West Darfur, although the overall death toll since the cases were first reported on 22 May had reached 55 across the region, the World Health Organization said. The story noted the UN Population Fund warned after the outbreak was first reported that unless immediate action was taken to avert the spread of the disease in Darfur, it could spread quickly among the hundreds of thousands of IDPs living in camps with poor sanitation. It said while Hepatitis E usually had a fatality rate of one to four percent, the virus was several times more lethal when it infected pregnant women. In one camp in West Darfur, where the virus had been detected, UNFPA said six of the eight people who died were pregnant women. Read: IRIN, UN News Centre

SWAZILAND: Rapid HIV Testing Available at University of Swaziland

IRIN reported August 23 that the University of Swaziland became the first site of a new rapid HIV testing procedure which allows a greater number of people to be tested. "University students are already under a lot of pressure, and if they develop HIV they are hospitalized because of the symptoms, and it is then they learn they are HIV positive. This is tremendously stressful. Determining whether you are negative or not allows a student to take the next step. We can counsel them on nutrition and ARVS [antiretrovirals] if they learn they are HIV-positive," Thuli Mngadi, the national program officer for the UN 's Population Fund, told IRIN. Read: IRIN

UGANDA AND THE NETHERLANDS : More Aid Promised for UNFPA

IRIN reported September 2 that a 12-member European Union (EU) delegation to Uganda has lauded the country's efforts in tackling HIV/AIDS. Elly Leemhuis, a senior nutrition advisor in the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that her government currently held the presidency of the EU and would also step up its contributions to the UN Population Fund. Inter Press Service also reported on this story on August 27. Read: IRIN, Inter Press Service

UGANDA: World’s Highest Population Growth

The Monitor (Uganda) reported August 30 that UNFPA program advisor in Uganda , Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, has called for cautious planning by the government and other stakeholders to address population growth. Baryomunsi told the press that given the recent census, Uganda's 3.4% population growth is the highest in the whole world.

UGANDA: Babies Still Infected with HIV Despite Free Nevirapine

IRIN reported September 9 that less than four percent of HIV-positive pregnant women in Uganda use Nevirapine to prevent HIV transmission to their babies, despite the drug being free. "The challenge is to reach women just before labor," said Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, an HIV/AIDS officer with UNFPA. Read: IRIN

UGANDA: Half of Children from LRA HIV-Positive

New Vision (Uganda) reported August 31 that half of the children rescued from the LRA rebels in northern Uganda are HIV-positive, the Minister of Gender, Labor and Social Development, Zoe Bakoko Bakoru, said at a breakfast meeting organized by UNFPA for the visiting European Union delegation at the Grand Imperial Hotel, Kampala. Read: New Vision, Xinhua General News Service

UGANDA: Reproductive Health Centers Poorly Equipped

New Vision (Uganda) reported September 4 that during a tour of UNFPA funded projects in eastern Uganda by MPs from the European Union, Hajati Zaituni Ziraba, the project manager of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council population program on reproductive health, said lack of equipment in health centers had forced them to refer even minor cases to already overcrowded hospitals.

UNITED STATES: U.S. Funding for UNFPA

On September 8, The Duluth News-Tribune ran a letter by Irv Berline who wrote: “The fact is the Bush administration has again decided not to release $34 million appropriated by Congress to the United Nations Population Fund. This fund provides education, reproductive health services and economic development in the poorest parts of the world. The Bush administration claims the fund indirectly supports Chinese government programs that force women to have abortions, but ignores a report from investigators sent by Secretary of State Colin Powell that does not support that claim.”

The Arizona Republic (U.S.) ran an August 22 editorial noting the “Family of Woman” exhibit, which opened at Arizona State University's Gammage Auditorium, opens a window into the struggles of women and families in the developing world. It also makes a compelling argument for one organization that is offering hope and help: the U.N. Population Fund. Over the years, UNFPA has drawn fire from those who mistakenly believe it promotes abortion. The fund's policies specifically state that it will not assist with any abortion services as a method of family planning. The editorial said, “The sad truth is that blocking money for UNFPA results in unnecessary abortions.” Read: Arizona Republic

Newsday (U.S.) ran an August 30 op ed by Sheryl McCarthy who noted, “President George W. Bush plays the game to the hilt. After taking office, he cut off U.S. funds to the United Nations Population Fund, an exemplary program that supports groups that educate women in underdeveloped countries about their reproductive options.”

Inter Press Service reported August 29 that Lucy Arkin, director of the Margaret Sanger Center, said, "The women of the world know that this administration is waging a war on the world's women. The women of the world are watching us." Two years ago, the Bush administration decided to withhold a 34-million-dollar contribution to the United Nations Population Fund because it accused the agency of using its funding to promote abortions.

VIETNAM: EU Parliamentarians Visit Population Projects

Vietnam News Agency reported September 8 that European parliamentarians certified Vietnam's effective use of UNFPA and EU aid after a mission inspected a number of projects on population, healthcare and poverty reduction across the country. During the 9-day trip, members of the European Parliament worked with the National Assembly's Committee for Social Affairs and several relevant agencies. They also visited HIV patients in the northern provinces of Hoa Binh, Quang Ninh and Thai Binh.

VIETNAM: Youth House Answers Reproductive Health Questions

Vietnam News Agency reported September 10 that the Youth House welcomes young Hanoians who have questions and problems regarding reproductive health. The story told of a second-year student at the Social Sciences and Humanities University, who does not know how she contracted vaginitis because she is still a virgin. The house is part of an EC/UNFPA program to help improve youth reproductive health. Read: Vietnam News Agency

ZAMBIA: Government Collaborates with UN Agencies

The Post (Zambia) reported September 7 that Deputy Speaker Jason Mfula said UNFPA had sponsored a parliament restructuring plan. He said UNFPA had sponsored MPs to attend population meetings while a United Nations Development Program had facilitated the attachment of staff and MPs to other parliaments. Read: The Post

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