UNFPA IN THE NEWS – AUGUST 13-26, 2005

AFGHANISTAN: Early Marriages Reported

Associated Press reported August 18 that UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, said in a statement: "Nearly 45 percent of marriages in this country involve girls below the legal age of 16. The tradition of marrying off daughters as young as 6 is still common." The U.N. agency also announced it was organizing a workshop later this month for Islamic leaders from around Afghanistan to try to combat the problem. Read: Associated Press, UN News Centre

ASIA-PACIFIC REGION: Seminar to Review Migration Trends

UN News Centre reported August 18 that several U.N. and outside agencies will conduct a seminar in Bangkok later this month to review trends in migration, with a view toward exploring the social implications of these developments in the Asia-Pacific Region. The seminar is being organized jointly by ESCAP, UNFPA, the inter-governmental International Organization for Migration and the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development. Read: UN News Centre

BANGLADESH: Women's Police Station to Be Established

United News of Bangladesh reported August 25 that at a daylong high-level meeting on "Reproductive Health, HIV/AIDS and Gender Issues," the Bangladeshi government would shortly establish a women police station in the capital - first such policing initiative in the country - to protect women and children from gender violence and deadly diseases like AIDS. The meeting was chaired by Home Secretary Safar Raj Hossain and was addressed by the head of DFID Bangladesh Dr. David Wood and UNFPA, the United Nation Population Fund, Representative in Dhaka Suneeta Mukherjee. Read: United News of Bangladesh

BOTSWANA: Festival to Promote Botswana's Culture

Daily News (Botswana) reported August 15 that Botswana Export Development and Investment Agency (BEDIA) will be hosting a festival dubbed the Botswana Experience, which is scheduled for September 29-November 13. BEDIA chief executive officer, Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba said the event will help put Botswanan culture into focus. During a BEDIA-UNFPA breakfast meeting in Gaborone, Masire-Mwamba urged youth to engage in viable businesses that can attract more foreign direct investment. Read: Daily News

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: U.N. Response to Flood Emergency

UN News Centre reported August 24 that U.N. agencies are rushing aid to the Central African Republic to forestall an outbreak of diseases and are appealing for substantial international funding after devastating floods swept the capital, Bangui, ruining over 2,500 homes, affecting nearly 20,000 people, and threatening even worse destruction. The story noted that WHO and UNFPA will provide medical kits to 10,000 patients over a period of three months. Read: UN News Centre Aug. 24, Aug. 18

CHINA: Gender Equality and Women's Development in China

Xinhua General News Service reported August 24 that China is strengthening the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS among women, according to a white paper titled /Gender Equality and Women's Development in China/, issued by the Information Office of China's State Council. Xinhua noted that according to the paper, the Chinese government actively engages in international cooperation as well. International cooperation has been conducted with many international organizations, including UNFPA, UNICEF, UNIFEM, World Bank, WHO and UNAIDS, in the fields of hygiene for women and children, reproductive health, family planning, and the prevention and treatment of AIDS. Read: Xinhua General News Service

CONGO: Supply Agreement Signed

La Collecte reported August 16 that UNFPA and the Congo National Committee to Fight HIV/AIDS (CNLS) have signed an agreement for procurement of contraceptives.

CONGO: National Day Against Maternal Mortality

La Collecte reported August 16 that Richard Dackam-Ngatchou, UNFPA representative in Congo-Brazzaville, announced plans to organize a National Day Against Maternal Mortality in October this year.

JAMAICA: Red Cross Office Agrees to Collaborate on Emergency Response

Jamaica Observer reported August 17 that UNFPA and the Jamaica Red Cross have signed an agreement to collaborate response efforts in emergency situations. Harold Robinson, UNFPA representative for the English and Dutch-speaking Caribbean, officially handed over the first set of 250 kits to Oswald Burchenson, president of the Jamaica Red Cross. As part of the agreement, the supplies will be stored at the Jamaica Red Cross warehouse that will function as a hub for UNFPA in the event of an emergency in any of the countries covered by its Kingston office. Read: Jamaica Observer

KENYA: Journalist Visit UNFPA Program

Catholic Information Service for Africa reported August 19 that a team of journalists from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden visited the Catholic dioceses of Mombasa, Nairobi, Nakuru and Ngong in Kenya to survey programs being implemented by the Catholic Church and UNFPA. Read: Catholic Information Service for Africa

LATIN AMERICA: MDG Progress

UN News Centre reported August 22 that a report on progress made toward meeting the MDGs in Latin America and the Caribbean has recommended a number of steps to improve health care in the region, while noting that the area's maternal mortality ratio statistics masked serious problems, including a lack of reliable sources for detecting and recording deaths. The report was presented by Mexican President Vicente Fox and several U.N. agencies in Mexico City. "Maternal mortality is closely linked to the issues of women's rights and poverty. It provides an indicator of gender inequities. The problem is therefore much bigger than just a health issue," said Rogelio Fernandez Castilla, director of the UNFPA's Country Support Team, based in Mexico. Read: UN News Centre

MALAYSIA: Decision Makers Encouraged to Portray Women Favorably

The Malay Mail (Malaysia) reported August 14 that Moneeza Hashmi, a consultant and trainer in gender issues, spoke at a workshop to encourage decision makers to portray female roles in a favorable light. Moneeza, who has been involved in creating documentaries for UNICEF and UNFPA, said, "Often, it's not the issue of gender that most people have a problem with but the issue of equality itself." Read: Malay Mail

MAURETANIA: International Youth Day Celebrated

Horizon ran an August 17 story about International Youth Day, celebrated at the provincial level through various information and advocacy events targeting local decision makers, civil society and population at large in the provinces of Kiffa, Guerou and Boumdeid. UNFPA supported a series of meetings, lectures, talks, debates, cultural shows and sport events. Issues addressed included adolescent RH and AIDS prevention, education, youth employment, leisure and youth policy.

NIGER: U.N. Agencies Respond to Drought-Stricken Niger

UN News Centre reported August 24 that on the second day of his visit to Niger, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said that he was determined to work together with the Niger government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and U.N. agencies to ensure that all those in need in the drought-stricken country get help. UNFPA said its Niger office has reported that the increasingly poor nutritional status of pregnant and lactating women in the country threatens to increase the already high rates of maternal and infant death and illness in regions hard-hit by the ongoing food crisis. In its announcement UNFPA said that it is seeking $400,000 in emergency reproductive health assistance to prevent pregnancy and delivery complications for hundreds of thousands of pregnant and lactating women affected by the emergency. Read: UN News Centre

IRIN reported August 23 that health workers point out, that Niger has a very low adult female literacy rate of only 9 percent and a very high infant mortality rate. Even in a year of good harvests, one in four children die before the age of five, according to UNFPA. Read: IRIN

NIGERIA: Government Tackle Feminization of AIDS

The New York Times ran an August 19 op ed by Babatunde Osotimehin, chairman of Nigeria's National Action Committee on AIDS, who wrote: "In Nigeria, and across sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean, epidemics are already feminized. For example, nearly 58 percent of Nigerians with H.I.V. are female. What's more, in virtually every region of the world, infections among girls and women are rising sharply." Osotimehin noted: "In addition to youth education and access to health services, we are investing in practical tools that women can use to protect themselves. For instance, we are working with the United Nations Population Fund to reintroduce the female condom in ways that will make it more acceptable and affordable. We also have research programs to examine the possibility of using microbicides in our communities." Read: The New York Times

NIGERIA: Workshop Urges Organizations to Make Press Materials Available

The Daily Champion (Nigeria) reported August 14 that at a workshop organized by UNFPA and Ogun State Ministry of Information and Strategy, journalists were urged to emphasize the need for safe motherhood, gender, reproductive rights and increased activities at the primary health care. The workshop featured communication experts, Dr. Lai Osho and Mr. Gbenga Gbesaba as well as UNFPA program adviser, Deaconess Are Shodeinde who urged health agencies to have data and other relevant information on the population and reproductive health readily available for journalists. Read: Daily Champion

PAKISTAN: Health Managers Needed

The Nation (Pakistan) reported August 20 that during discussions at the National Health Management Conference organized by the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Pakistan, experts highlighted the need for well-trained health managers to properly use funding and resources. Health Secretary Sindh, WHO regional advisor, representatives from UNDP, UNFP, health institutions, hospitals and health professionals attended the conference.

PHILIPPINES: Philippines Becoming Urbanized

The Sun Star (Philippines) reported August 19 that according to the State of the Philippine Population Report (SPPR) 2004 issued by the Commission on Population (Popcom) and UNFPA, a peaceful barrio lifestyle is no longer a Filipino ideal. Popcom Region-3 director Rose Fortaleza said, the report provides evidence that the Philippines, a formerly agricultural country, is fast becoming urbanized Read: Sun Star

PHILIPPINES: Former President Remembered

The Sun Star (Philippines) remembered Rafael Montinola Salas in an August 13 story. The story mentioned that Dr. Salas assumed the role of UNFPA's First Executive Director with rank of Undersecretary-General. During his term, the fund became the world's biggest source for multi-lateral population assistance. Read: The Sun Star

SOUTH AFRICA: Health Lifestyle Campaign

BuaNews (South Africa) reported August 23 that over 400 female workers at the Department of Health in the North West met at Mmabana Mmabatho in Mafikeng to take part in the healthy lifestyle campaign. Three presentations on women's nutrition, physical and mental fitness were made by three successful women from Medunsa, and a message of encouragement was delivered from UNFPA's representative in South Africa. Read: BuaNews

SOUTH ASIA: Report on the Health Status in Tsunami-Affected Region

UN News Centre reported August 22 that less than half of the monies committed for women's reproductive health, safety and equality in parts of South Asia devastated by the tsunami last December have been used, according to a six-month progress report issued by UNFPA. Although considerable progress has been noted in the delivery of maternal care, the rebuilding of damaged health care facilities, and the distribution of hygiene kits to women, a narrow pipeline effect has impeded faster progress in the agency's efforts to improve women's health and safety in regions affected. Read: UN News Centre

SUDAN: UNICEF and Partners Target over 2 Million Children

UN News Centre reported August 23 that UNICEF and its partners, mainly the Ministry of Health, WHO, UNFPA, U.S. Centers for Disease Control, Rotary International and many other NGOs are targeting over 2 million children and women over the course of the next 12 months with services, supplies and technical support. Read: UN News Centre

UGANDA: Some MPs Accused of Taking Credit for Women's Minister Projects

The Monitor (Uganda) reported August 24 that Bundibugyo's Woman MP Jane Alisemera accused State Minister for Mineral Development, Dr. Kamanda Bataringaya of Bwamba and Rogers Maate of Ntoroko of hijacking her constituency projects. "Some of your MPs have made it a habit to claim my efforts as theirs. Someone even claimed to have brought the Suzuki Maruti ambulances I got from UNFPA in broad daylight. Next time tell him to present his own work and stop pirating," Alisemera said. She was handing over medical equipment to Bubukwanga Health Centre in Kabarole on Monday. She solicited the items from her friends. The equipment included two beds, two mattresses, blankets, bed sheets and six mosquito nets.

UNITED STATES: 34 Million Friends of UNFPA Considered for Nobel Peace Prize

San Bernardino Sun (U.S.) reported August 19 that only 12 women have won the Nobel Peace Prize, but 1,000 were nominated as a group for the award this year. Jane Roberts from California, along with Lois Abraham of New Mexico, was included on the list this year for founding the 34 Million Friends of UNFPA. "When I found out we were nominated, I just thought 'Oh my gosh, that would be wonderful'," Roberts said. "It still brings a smile to my face." The Redlands Daily Facts (U.S.) also covered this story. Read: San Bernardino Sun, Redlands Daily Facts

UNITED STATES: U.S. Funding for UNFPA

Women's Enews ran an August 17 commentary by Pat Orvis who wrote: "Any day now, as President George W. Bush reviews the new annual budgets, he may finally do the right thing. After consistently refusing to approve funds for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) since he took office, he may decide to save the lives of thousands of women and children. He can do that by giving the go-ahead to the $34 million that Congress has promised UNFPA each year, beginning in the Clinton administration." Read: Women's Enews

ZIMBABWE: Belated Commemoration of World Population Day

The Herald (Zimbabwe) reported August 18 that at the belated commemorations of the World Population Day in Harare, Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development Minister Cde Oppah Muchinguri said that women needed to benefit from the $50 billion allotted by the government in the Mid-Term Fiscal Policy Review. At the event co-sponsored by the ministry and UNFPA, Dr. Bruce Campbell, UNFPA country representative, said engendering equality between men and women was a U.N. guiding principle with the aim of achieving fair treatment for women in all spheres of the economy worldwide. Read: The Herald

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