UNFPA IN THE NEWS – JULY 10-16, 2004

BANGKOK INTERNATIONAL HIV/AIDS CONFERENCE: WOMEN AND HIV/AIDS
“Feminization” of HIV/AIDS and Women’s Empowerment

“The epidemic won't be reversed unless governments provide the resources needed to ensure women's rights to sexual and reproductive health,” said Thoraya Obaid, head of UNFPA, United Nations Population Fund, at the 15th International AIDS Conference in Bangkok. Releasing “Women and HIV/AIDS: Confronting the Crisis," Obaid said, "Women are suffering multiple vulnerabilities. The social and economic empowerment of women is key." The Guardian (UK) reported July 15 that the report—compiled by UNAIDS, UNIFEM and UNFPA—outlines the dire plight of women in southern Africa, who make up 57 percent of those now infected. Agence France-Presse reported July 14 that workshops, symposiums and studies at the conference painted a terrifying picture of women facing a juggernaut that grows in speed every day. "There is an urgent need to rethink the ABC approach," said Obaid. In a July 14 story by Inter Press Sevice, Obaid said, "Faithfulness is no protection either. There is a need to rethink the ABC approach." Other outlets reporting on this story were: The Guardian, Agence France-Presse, Xinhua General News Service, Voice of America, News24 (South Africa); Associated Press, Inter Press Service: July 13, July 14, East African Standard (Kenya), BuaNews (South Africa)

U.S. HIV/AIDS Prevention Policy Criticized

The Guardian (U.K.) reported July 16 that at the AIDS conference, the U.K. signaled a major rift with the United States over its AIDS policies, publicly rejecting the Bush doctrine that sexual abstinence is the best way to stop the spread of the pandemic. International Development Minister, Gareth Thomas, emphasized that the U.K. would continue to back the "excellent HIV, sexual and reproductive health work" of the U.N. Population Fund and the International Planned Parenthood Federation, both of which had their funding slashed by the Bush administration because they support sexual health clinics for women that include abortion services. The Nation (Thailand) and Reuters also reported on this story. Read: The Guardian, Reuters

Youth Demand More Attention

The Nation (Thailand) reported July 14 that about 40 youth activists staged a march to urge the United Nations to pay more attention to the role of youth in fighting HIV/AIDS. The story noted that representatives from UNAIDS, UNICEF, UNFPA and the International AIDS Society received a letter from the youth activists.

WORLD POPULATION DAY CELEBRATED AROUND THE WORLD

Global: Angola Press Agency reported July 11 that on World Population Day, United Nations Population Fund (UNPF) executive director, Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, said there has been a rise in the quality of the families living standards, health services, education and women reproductive rights the world over, as compared with ten years ago.

Angola: Angola Press Agency reported July 11 that the United Nations Population Fund and the provincial government of the southern Huila province organized a music-cultural festival in Lubango city to welcome the World Population Day.

Bhutan: Keunsel (Bhutan) reported July 11 that to observe World Population Day, UNFPA country director, Wasim Zaman, and Health Minister Lyonpo Jigmi Singay said that it was important to address issues related to women’s reproductive health in terms of access to care, education and creation of enabling environments for reproductive health and rights in their address. Read: Keunsel

Cambodia: On July 11, Xinhua General News Service reported that UNFPA announced that Cambodia has reduced its maternal mortality rate from 473 deaths in 1994 to 437 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2000, thanks to the initiation of the reproductive health training program for new midwives and the cooperation with traditional birth attendants in both urban and rural areas. Read: Xinhua General News Service

Cape Verde: Panafrican News Agency reported July 10 that the U.N. Population Fund has spent $15 million in Cape Verde since 1978 to provide technical and financial assistance to the country's various population activities and institutions. On the eve of the World Population Day, UNFPA and Cape Verdian authorities will evaluate the work done on the island toward analyzing the action plan adopted at the International Population and Development Conference held in 1994. According to UNFPA program officer Nelida Rodrigues, Cape Verde has also made "giant strides" in equity and gender legislation. Yet she observed that "much remains to be done" on women's access and participation in political life, economic participation for all and the fight against domestic violence, among others.

Fiji: Fiji Times reported July 12 that Director of Public Health Timaima Tuiketei said that nothing was organized for World Population Day because they had already launched a booklet on world population a few weeks earlier. The story mentioned that the United Nations Population Fund released a poster about mothers and difficulties they face during childbirth or from complications of pregnancy, which can often be prevented.

India: The Hindu (India) reported July 12 that UNFPA has chosen “Making Motherhood Safer” as the theme for this year's World Population Day. The story noted that while other health indicators have improved in developing countries, maternal mortality continues to rise.

Iran: IRIN reported July 12 that Iran's population growth rate has declined by more than half over the past 10 years and infant mortality rates are low, at 28 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, UNFPA reported at a seminar celebrating World Population Day. Mohamed Abdel-Ahad, UNFPA's resident representative, praised Iran for implementing a "positive and promising population growth rate", pointing out that life expectancy at birth has raised to nearly 70 years for both sexes.” Read: IRIN

Namibia: The New Era (Namibia) noted that during World Population Day celebrations UNFPA's Jacinta Hofnie said, "Today we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the historic global event, the International Conference on Population and Development and 10 years later we can say that significant progress has been achieved. A girl born today in the developing world faces better prospects than a girl born 10 years ago." Read: New Era

Pakistan: Pakistan Newswire reported July 10 that on World Population Day, Acting President, Mohammadmian Soomro, pledged full support for government strategy on population welfare. The United Nations Population Fund representative said that Pakistan has made significant achievement in the population welfare sector. However, he warned that Pakistan had the highest fertility rate in region, which can hamper growth and development.

Philippines: The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported July 13 that at the press conference launching the World Population Day celebration, Dr. Zahidul Huque, U.N. Population Fund country representative, noted that "every minute, a woman somewhere in the developing world dies due to pregnancy or childbirth. Many more women around the world, particularly in developing countries continue to suffer from injuries and disabilities arising from pregnancy-related complications." Read: Manila Bulletin

Business World (Philippines) reported July 12 that the Philippine representative of the United Nations Populations Fund (UNPF) said a 4%-5% economic growth would be irrelevant if the country fails to curb population growth. "The high population growth actually eats up the economic gains," Zahidul Huque said in ceremonies marking World Population Day.

South Africa: BuaNews (South Africa) reported July 11 that hundreds of people gathered at the Somgwaba Sport Stadium to take part in the World Population Day celebration. United Nations Population Fund representative, George Kwame Nsiah, said, "Today, each and every minute a mother goes missing and perishes in child birth or from complications of pregnancy and the tragedy is compounded by the fact that nearly all of these deaths are preventable. We must reduce the vulnerability of women and girls by increasing respect for their rights and confront gender discrimination and violence." Read: BuaNews

Sudan: Suna News Agency (Sudan) reported July 12 that at the inaugural seminar on population policies in Sudan, organized by the National Council for Population, in collaboration with Population Communication Centre and the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), Al-Mahdi announced the starting of preparations for conduct of the fifth national population census. Convocation of the conference coincided with the World Population Day on 11 July. He referred to support being extended by the international community to affected people in Darfur, commending the UN agencies and national and international organizations, especially the UNFPA which funded the establishment of infrastructures and health utilities in Darfur at the cost of $1.4 million.

RLEFECTION ON U THANT, 30 YEARS AFTER HIS DEATH

Connecticut Post (U.S.) featured a July 12 story on U Thant who served as U.N. Secretary General from 1961 to 1971. The story mentioned his accomplishments included establishing the U.N. Population Fund, which helps provide funding for health-related programs in developing countries. U Thant died in 1974 after a long illness.

AFGHANISTAN: UN to Support HIV/AIDS Awareness

IRIN reported July 15 that as the world continued debating in Bangkok how to curb HIV/AIDS infections and care for those living with the disease, UNICEF, WHO and UNFPA in Afghanistan announced that they were supporting the Health Ministry to improve HIV/AIDS awareness in the country. Read: IRIN

AFGHANISTAN: Child Marriage Rate Still High

Pak Tribune (Pakistan) reported July 16 on high child marriage rates and mentioned that the maternal mortality rate is very high in Afghanistan, according to data from the United Nations Population Fund in Afghanistan (UNFPA). Every hour, two women die while giving birth - the highest maternal mortality rate in Asia. Read: IRIN

CHINA: Campaign Addresses Imbalanced Sex Ratios

South China Morning Post reported July 13 that to address the cause of the preference for sons, the State Population and Family Planning Commission launched a "girl care campaign" since last year to give incentives to families to raise girls. But Siri Tellier, the U.N. Population Fund's representative in Beijing, said it was wrong to put all the blame on China's one-child policy. Imbalanced sex ratios "happen in many countries where there is no population policy at all," she said.

EAST TIMOR: First National Census Conducted

Radio Australia reported July 10 that the first national census began in East Timor. Dan Barker from the United Nations Population Fund believes the population remains at around 800,000 people.

INDIA: Renowned Social Worker Passes

The Times of India reported July 16 that renowned social worker and winner of the prestigious Magsaysay award, Banoo Jehangir Coyaji, passed away July 15 after prolonged illness. The story noted Coyaji handled many important posts including consultant and advisor to the union government in matters of family planning and population control, member of Indian Council of Medical Research and senate member of the University of Pune. She also worked with World Health Organization, World Bank, Ford Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation and United Nations Family Planning Association.

NIGERIA: Calls for Attention to High Infant and Maternal Mortality

This Day (Nigeria) reported July 14 that United Nations Funds for Population Activities (UNFPA) called for urgent and committed action to arrest tragedies due to high infant and maternal mortality rates, just as it gave a frightening yearly death figure of about five hundred and twenty-nine thousand women in Africa resulting from complications during pregnancy. Read: This Day

NORTH KOREA: Healthcare System Steadily Deteriorating

The Gazette (Canada) reported July 13 that according to reports from the World Health Organization and the U.N. Population Fund, North Korea's free and socialized healthcare system has been steadily deteriorating during the past decade. As a result of the recent famine, pregnant women do not have proper nutrition. There are not enough skilled midwives and doctors to deal with complications in child birth. Medicines and proper equipment to handle birth complications are also scarce. This has led to an alarming rise in maternal mortality rates, which have doubled within the last decade, according to the UNPF.

PERU: Country Must Face HIV/AIDS

A July 16 story by United Press International on the status of HIV-infected adolescents in Peru mentioned that with $5 million in funding from the U.N. Population Fund, the Sexual Education Program was created in 1996 to train 40,000 teachers—10 percent of the total teaching staff—and provide them with teaching guides and instructional materials.

SUDAN: UN Envoy Sent to Evaluate Progress on Humanitarian Crisis

UN News Centre reported July 14 that the top United Nations envoy to Sudan will travel there to hold the first talks with its leaders about the progress made by Khartoum and the U.N. since they signed a joint communiqué about alleviating the humanitarian crisis in the Darfur region. Meanwhile, the U.N. Population Fund (UNFPA) reported that it has trained 30 doctors in the states of North and South Darfur in safe motherhood practices, treating sexual abuse and family planning methods. Read: UN News Centre

UGANDA: Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV Defies Prevention Efforts

Inter Press Service reported July 12 that four years after the Ugandan government introduced a program to prevent mother-to-child transmission through the use of HIV testing, medication with nevirapine and other measures, ignorance and stigmatization of AIDS continue to stand in the way of the program's complete success. Chris Baryomunsi, HIV/AIDS advisor at the U.N. Population Fund office in Kampala, said, "The biggest challenge is that the program is still not reaching the majority of the people who are living in the rural areas. The further away you go from Kampala, the more difficult it becomes." Read: Inter Press Service

UGANDA: Poor Maternal Mortality Rates

Panafrican News Agency reported July 14 that Uganda's maternal mortality rate stands at 505 deaths for every 100,000 live births, making it the eighth highest in the world, according to latest report by the U.N. Population Fund (UNFPA). The lack of access to healthcare centers, poor quality services, untrained staff, the absence of referral services and inadequate supplies of drugs and equipment for the high rate was cited as causes for the poor rating.

UNITED STATES: U.S. Funding for UNFPA Denied for Third Straight Year

Associated Press reported July 16 that the Bush administration will withhold $34 million in congressionally approved assistance to the U.N. Population Fund because of the fund's connection to China and forced abortions, Secretary of State Colin Powell said. Powell said in a letter to Congress that the administration would continue to help women and children around the world through other programs. Sarah Craven, chief of the U.N. agency's Washington office, said the administration's contention that the agency indirectly supported China's coercive policies is "false and absolutely baseless." In a July 16 story by Inter Press Service, former Senator Tim Wirth, director of the United Nations Foundation (UNF), “I was really surprised at the egregious nature of the (UNFPA) announcement today. This marks another blow to U.S. credibility in the international community. The administration has once again embarrassed the United States.” According to the Associated Press story, Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., noting that this was the third year the Bush administration had blocked congressional assistance to the U.N. Fund, said the State Department's own investigators found two years ago there was no evidence linking the fund to any coercive abortion programs in China. Rep. Nita M. Lowey, D-N.Y., said, "The administration has made the shortsighted decision to withhold assistance to all of UNFPA's 136 country programs unless UNFPA withdraws from China or, unbelievably, unless China changes its national laws." The Associated Press also noted that the Republican-led House Appropriations Committee, meanwhile, has blocked a proposal by Rep. Lowey to spend $25 million for a family planning program by the United Nations in Iraq, Afghanistan and four Asian and African countries. Lois Abraham, co-founder of 34 million Friends of UNFPA, said, “I see a very strong parallel here between accepting information that is wrong because it supports what you want to do and ignoring information that is credible and right.” She told journalists that several church groups had recently gone to China and determined that UNFPA programs there are preventing abortions from taking place. Read: Associated Press, Inter Press Service, Agence France-Presse, Bloomberg, United Press International, UN News Centre

UNITED STATES: Funding for AIDS and Family Planning

The Sheboygan Press (U.S.) July 14 editorial noted, “The United States could be doing a lot more about what is probably a more dire threat to the world than terrorism: the AIDS pandemic.” The editorial urged, “There is another way the U.S. could help. The Bush administration has cut off funding to the U.N. Population Fund, the primary agency working to keep people in developing countries from contracting AIDS in the first place. The money was blocked in an anti-abortion effort even though by U.S. law none of the funds from this country can be used for abortions. It's time for this country to put a priority on halting the AIDS threat, rather than protecting drug company profits or protesting the Population Fund's policies on ideological grounds.” Read: Sheboygan Press

The Berkshire Eagle (U.S.) July 11 editorial noted: “One of the big lies spread by the anti-contraception right is that the International Population Fund, a United Nations family-planning organization, is somehow associated with forced abortions in China. State Department investigators found no such connection, nor has any other unbiased group. Yet the falsehood persists, and the White House has cynically repeated it while denying U.S. support for the Population Fund.” Read: Berkshire Eagle

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