UNFPA IN THE NEWS – NOVEMBER 6-12, 2004

UN URGES INTEGRATION OF HIV/AIDS PREVENTION AND FAMILY PLANNING PROGRAMS

UN News Centre reported November 10 that integrating providers of reproductive health services into the battle against HIV infection could bring the campaign to millions of women who fall through gaps in preventive efforts, according to the analysis, “The Role of Reproductive Health Providers in Preventing HIV.” The report was published jointly by The Alan Guttmacher Institute and UNAIDS, with the collaboration of UNFPA and the International Planned Parenthood Federation. Read: UN News Centre

ASIA: Youth Meet to Join Youth Program on Reproductive Health

Voice of Vietnam reported November 8 that ten young Vietnamese people have joined youths from six other countries to attend the Asia Youth Forum, which is being held in Sri Lanka from November 8-12. The forum provides youths from seven Asian countries—Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam—an opportunity to join the Reproductive Health Initiative for Youth in Asia program. The program, Providing Adolescent and Youth Friendly Reproductive Health Services in Vietnam, is currently in its second phase funded by the European Union through UNFPA.
Read: Voice of Vietnam

CHINA: One Story of How UNFPA Provided Opportunity

The Guardian (U.K.) November 10 story chronicled five children that were born the month the communists seized power in Shanghai. One story told of Xuejun Zuo who had a stroke of luck when UNFPA offered him a fellowship to study in the U.S.

GEORGIA: Poster Contest Exhibition

The Black Sea Press (Georgia) reported November 8 that the Georgian office of the United Nations Population Fund held a poster contest exhibition in Tbilisi. The exhibition is titled, “Poster 2004: From Cairo to Georgia: Vision of the Future.”

INDIA: India Announces Funding for Development Activities

Press Trust of India reported November 12 that India has pledged about eight million dollars for developmental activities for various UN agencies and said the world body's goals represent efforts to reduce poverty around the globe. Indian delegate Shriniwas Dadasaheb Patil, MP, said India believes that development agenda represents a shared global commitment to poverty alleviation transcending national borders. The story noted that UNICEF will receive $900,000, UNFPA $200,000 and UNEP $100,000.

INDIA: Winners of Debate on Balancing Child Sex Ratio Announced

The Hindustan Times (India) reported November 10 that the final round of the Hindustan Times PACE Forum 2004—a national inter-school debating competition—was held at Springdales School, Dhaula Kuan. The event was organised this year in partnership with the UNFPA. The trophy went to Sameer Khan and Kartik Mishra of La Martiniere College, Lucknow. The theme of the debate was 'Balancing the Child Sex Ratio: Not by Law Alone.’

KENYA: Abortion to Remain Illegal and Health Ministry Receives Four Vehicles for Reproductive Health Programs in Rural Areas

The Nation (Kenya) reported November 10 that abortion will remain illegal despite renewed calls to legalize it. But the reproductive health budget will be increased to make contraceptives cheaper, said Health Minister Charity Ngilu. "Abortion will never be allowed as a contraceptive because we need to prevent pregnancies not terminate them," she said, after receiving four vehicles from the United Nations Population Fund at Afya House, Nairobi. The cars will be used in reproductive health programs in rural areas. Read: The Nation

KYRGYZSTAN: Horses Allow Doctors and Nurses to Reach Rural Areas

IRIN reported November 8 that earlier this year, UNFPA in Kyrgyzstan was faced with the problem of how to deliver primary health care to remote communities in the central Naryn province. The answer was to put the health workers on horses. Read: IRIN

NIGERIA: Preparing to Undertake a Credible and Accurate Census

Vanguard (Nigeria) reported November 7 that Chief Samu'ila Danko Makama is leading 37 commissioners on the task of producing a credible and accurate census figure for the Nigeria in 2005. Makama explained that part of the 2004 and 2005 budgets will help pay for the census and that development partners— UNFPA, USAID, European Union and DFID—have pledged to take over fifty percent of it. Read: Vanguard

PAKISTAN: All Pakistan Women's Association to Host International Conference on Gender Mainstreaming and the Millennium Development Goals

Pakistan Newswire reported November 10 that UNDP and the All Pakistan Women's Association (APWA) have signed an agreement of $75,000 in support of the International Conference on Gender Mainstreaming and the Millennium Development Goals to be held in Islamabad during March 2005. The conference is a joint effort hosted by the Ministry of Women Development, Government of Pakistan; coordinated by APWA, in collaboration with several UN agencies, including UNICEF, UNDP, UNDESA, UNESCO, UNAIDS, UNFPA and UNIFEM.

SIERRA LEONE: Projects to Protect Children from the Spread of HIV/AIDS Launched

Concord Times (Sierra Leone) ran a November 11 op ed by Joseph Kamanda who detailed the National AIDS Secretariat and Planned Parenthood Association of Sierra Leone’s collaboration to protect children from the spread of the HIVAIDS through a program dubbed, "AIDS Is Here Children Say No to Sex." To complement this effort, Sister Dumbuya of Jesus is Lord Ministry, in partnership with UNFPA, launched the Faith Clinic Project to sensitize members on the negative impacts of AIDS and how to protect themselves from infection. Read: Concord Times

UNITED STATES: Bush’s Reelection and Women Worldwide

A November 9 op ed by Werner Fornos, President of Population Institute, that ran in The Providence Journal (U.S.) noted that with president Bush gearing up for his second term, vowing once again to unify the country, and a reshuffling of his foreign-policy team in the offing, it is time to re-examine the administration's concerns about China's population program. Fornos concluded: “In the real world, when you have a problem with the guy next door, you take it directly to him, rather than attack the honest broker who is successfully mediating your differences. So, too, should the United States confront China about its problems, and not punish the poor women in nearly 140 of the world's poorest countries who rely on assistance from the U.N. Population Fund. The Senate recommendation to fund the agency in 2005 is pending action before the House of Representatives. Both of Rhode Island's senators support the recommendation, and their colleagues in the House should follow their lead.” Read: Providence Journal

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