UNFPA IN THE NEWS – MAY 15-21, 2004

UNFPA Report: Development Efforts Must Be Culturally Sensitive

According to a new UNFPA report, "Working from Within: Culturally Sensitive Approaches in UNFPA Programming," forming local alliances in culturally sensitive situations gives aid workers a better chance of succeeding their efforts. "Social and cultural realities present challenges as well as opportunities for advancing development goals and human rights," said UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid. When dealing with gender inequality, violence against women, family planning and HIV/AIDS it is important to make alliances with local individuals and institutions to further development efforts. The report was release on May 21 in observance of the UN World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. Read: UN News Center

BANGALDESH: 14000 Mothers Die Every Year Due to Delivery Complications

On May 18 The New Nation reported that the Press Institute of Bangladesh and UNFPA held a workshop on gender, reproductive health and the environment. Speakers at the workshop stated that although Bangladesh has made good progress in these areas, “the reproductive health situation of mothers was still at a deplorable state.” Maternal mortality is among the highest in the nation with more than 14000 mothers dying every year from delivery complications. UNFPA Representative of Bangladesh Ms.Suneeta Mukherjee spoke at the function. Read: The New Nation

ETHIOPIA: Conference Discusses Prospects for Advancing the African Child

On May 19, The Pan African News Agency (PANA) reported that beginning on May 21, a two-day international policy conference on the challenges and opportunities for advancing the African child and the family will be held in Addis Abba. Issues to be discussed are gender inequality, the vulnerability of girls, child rights in the family, children and economic policy, HIV/AIDS and child labor. Senior representatives from UNICEF, UNAIDS, Plan International, the World Bank, and Coalition of African NGOs for Children are among the participants.

LIBERIA: Women Want 30 Percent Slots in Public Positions

On May 17, The News (Monrovia) reported on the first-ever National Women's Conference on Peace and Socio-Economic Recovery, which was sponsored by the Liberain government, UNFPA, UNDP, UNIFEM, WHO, UNMIL, WFP, UNHCR and USAID. At the forum, women called on the Government to ensure a provision of a minimum of 30 percent slots for women in all elected and appointed public positions within the country. The women also called on the Government to investigate and tackle the problems of child trafficking, prostitution, child labor and any other forms of child abuse. The conference intended to highlight the plight of Liberian women and to create a plan to enable women to effectively contribute in the post-war reconstruction of Liberia. Read: The News

MONGOLIA: Mongolia Tackling HIV in Armed Forces

On May 20, BBC Monitoring, reported that the Mongolian Minister of Defense and the Minister of Justice and Home Affairs, signed an agreement with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) to tackle HIV in the armed forces. UNFPA representative, Mr. Birat Simha, was in attendance at the signing along with officials from the Border Troops Executive Board and the police.

MOROCCO: UN Morocco Team Promotes Millennium Goals at Women's Motor Rally

On May 19 All Africa reported on the women’s international motor rally, the 14th Rallye Aicha des Gazelles, aimed at raising awareness about the Millennium Development Goals. The UN team included members of UNFPA, UNDP, UNIFEM, and UNICEF. The rally was an opportunity to publicize the Millennium goals and advocate for women’s rights, girls education, gender equality, and ends to sexual exploitation and violence against women. Read: All Africa

NEPAL: Unprotected Early Sex Fuels Gynecological Cancers in Nepal

On May 18 One World South Asia reported on a study warning that insufficient reproductive health knowledge, increasing promiscuity and early pregnancies among youth is increasing their risk of gynecological cancer. A study conducted by the German Technical Assistant GTZ and UNFPA found that one in four women who visited the clinics had pelvic organ prolapses, indicating an alarming trend, an increase in gynecological cancer in young women. Furthermore, the "European Commission, UNFPA: RHIYA Strategic Frame Work for Nepal" report states that one in five women visiting hospitals for abortion related complications are adolescents. Read: One World South Asia

NEW ZEALAND: $3M More for HIV in Pacific

On May 19, The Dominion Post (New Zealand) reported that the New Zealand government will spend an extra NZ $3 million to combat HIV/AIDS throughout the Pacific. It already contributes NZ $6 million to the region. The extra $3 million will be divided evenly between the Joint United Nations Programme, the Global Fund on HIV/AIDS, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

NIGERIA: 1 Million People with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria’s capital

Agence France-Presse reported on May 19 that UNFPA estimates there are more than 16 million residents in Lagos and of those 1 million have been infected with HIV/AIDS. As a result, a dozen HIV testing centers will open in Lagos on June 1.

PAKISTAN: UNFPA-Sindh Donates Two Ultrasound Machines to Health Dept.

On May 18, Pakistan Press International reported that UNFPA-Sindh donated two ultrasound machines to the Sindh health department. Sindh Health Minister Naeem Ishtiaq urged health officials to support the government in its endeavors to improve the healthcare facilities in the province. Similarly, on May 19, Pakistan Newswire reported that the Sindh Health Minister, during the donation ceremony of the ultrasound machines, stated that every citizen has the right to medical facilities. He said that the government was working on many projects in the province to build and improve medical facilities and schools.

VIETNAM: UN Appreciates Commitment to Fighting Poverty in Central Highlands.

Vietnam News Agency reported on May 18 that officials representing UNFPA, UNDP, UNICEF, WHO, and the ILO visited the Central Highlands at the invitation of the Vietnamese government. The UN is working with the government on a program that will help Vietnam achieve the Millennium Development Goals. The UN mission reported that the inspected provinces face numerous challenges to ensuring development, notably poverty and the lack of adequate reproductive and maternal health and child heath services. Despite these challenges, the UN mission acknowledged these provinces' achievements in healthcare, education and especially in reducing the number of families living in poverty. Read: Vietnam News Agency

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