UNFPA IN THE NEWS – DECEMBER 17, 2005-JANUARY 6, 2006

RECORD AMOUNT OF COUNTRIES SUPPORTED UNFPA IN 2005

UN News Centre reported January 5 that more countries contributed to UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, in 2005 than in any year since its establishment in 1969, bringing the number of donors supporting the reproductive health and women's rights agency up to 171, compared to the 2004 record of 166. “We are extremely thankful for this overwhelming show of support from United Nations Member States,” said UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid . “This is the clearest demonstration of their commitment to achieving universal access to reproductive health and ending discrimination against women as they resolved to do during the World Summit,” she added. Read: UN News Centre

PROGRESS REPORT ON TSUNAMI-AFFECTED REGION

UN News Centre reported December 22 that in the year following the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster, “a great deal has been accomplished,” ranging from the immediate prevention of outbreaks of disease, the placing of transitional shelters, schools and other facilities to starting the replacement of permanent schools, health centers and homes, a senior United Nations official said. The story noted UNFPA has been helping to restore reproductive health services in tsunami-affected communities in Indonesia , Maldives , Sri Lanka and Thailand . Read: UN News Centre

UNITED NATIONS UNDER PRESSURE TO APPOINT A WOMAN AS HEAD

The Times ( U.K. ) reported January 4 that since 1945 the world's top diplomatic job has been held by three Europeans, two Africans, one Latin American, but no women. Kofi Annan is due to step down as UN Secretary-General at the end of the year, or even earlier, and women's groups have begun lobbying for a woman to succeed him. The Times listed Thoraya Ahmed Obaid as one of the leading candidates. Her qualifications include being the first Saudi woman to receive a government scholarship to study at a university in the U.S. , running UNFPA since 2001 and being the first Saudi citizen to head a U.N. agency.

AFRICA: Youth Discuss Ways to Effectively Participate in Africa 's Development

Xinhua General News Service reported December 19 that at a meeting organized by UNFPA in collaboration with the Africa Youth Forum, African youth discussed ways to participate effectively in the continent's development. UNFPA Africa Division Director Fama Hane Ba said no solution to Africa 's most pressing problems could be found without the full participation of the continent's youths. "Young people must be involved in the development and execution of plans, policies and programs. If we do not work together, we will jeopardize our chances of success," she said. The meeting is expected to help the youth from all over Africa form networks and share experiences and find solutions to their problems. Read: Xinhua General News Service

The Post reported December 21 that at the African Youth Forum UNFPA Country Representative Dr. Deji Popoola urged youth to build systems within governments. "Youths should create systems that government would accept, and once this happens it will shows that youths have established their relevance and have contributed to national development," said Dr. Popoola. "I hope by the end of this conference youths will go back with enough ammunition to move a strong youth movement." Read: The Post

ARAB NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVE FUNDING

Emirates News Agency reported December 21 that the OPEC Fund for International Development has approved a grant of $100,000 in support of the Capacity Building Program of Arab non-governmental organizations (NGOs) undertaken by the Arab Network for NGOs. The Arab Network for NGOs, established in 1997, was funded by three major donor agencies, including the Arab Gulf Program for United Nations Development Organizations, the OPEC Fund for International Development and UNFPA.

AFGHANISTAN: First Exhibition Featuring Women Photographers

IRIN reported December 29 that Afghanistan 's Ministry of Women Affairs (MOWA) for the first time inaugurated a photographic exhibition of 40 newly trained female photographers in the Afghan capital, Kabul . Funded by UNFPA, the 10-day course in photography and small businesses development was implemented by the Pamir Training Centre and Rehabilitation Organization, a local NGO, in four provinces, including Badakhshan, Balkh , Bamyan and Logar. “These programmes give skills and sustainable income, increase the self-esteem of women and raise their status in Afghan society,” Paul Greening, project and staff development officer for UNFPA, said. Read: IRIN

AFGHANISTAN: Family Intervention Unit Established

Agence France-Presse reported December 18 that Afghanistan has set up its first police unit dealing with crime within families, the United Nations said, describing violence against women and children here as an "international embarrassment". The story noted that the Family Intervention Unit in the capital, set up with the support from UNFPA, is run by women police officers and has a telephone hotline. Read: UN News Centre

BANGLADESH: Media Workshop

The Independent reported December 30 that UNFPA organized a daylong workshop on "Women in media" on December 12. Speakers at a workshop called upon the media to highlight the positive aspects of women, rather than reporting only on the "sensational side." Participants included: UNFPA Representative Suneeta Mukherjee, Information Secretary Barrister M. Haider Ali, UNFPA and HIV/AIDS in Asia Dr. Nafis Sadik, filmmaker Amjad Hossain, and artist Ferdousi Begum. Read: The Independent

BANGLADESH: UNFPA Funds Five-Year Program

Financial Express reported December 21 that Bangladesh will receive  $30 million from UNFPA in the next five years beginning next January. The money will be spent for the improvement of maternal health, reproductive health services, family planning, adolescents reproductive health services, prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections as well as control of violence against women. Read: Financial Express

BOTSWANA: Gender Differences Highlighted

The Echo reported December 22 that UNFPA boy-child activist, Allah Moyo, was quoted as saying: “There is general disinterest and lack of male involvement in gender-based issues primarily because men either do not know about the issues, they are socialized not to be involved or because that structures are not family friendly in that they exclude them." Moyo pointed out that the disparities between the boy-child and girl-child are often determined by the gender roles that they are given both in the home and in society. "You find that the girl-child falls into routine duties. The simple inculcation of washing dishes breeds patience within her, which is something the boy child tends to lack because when the girls do the dishes the boys are often told to go out and play," she said. Read: The Echo

BOTSWANA: Attitudes toward Female Condom Improves, Though Cost Impedes Continuous Use

Daily News reported December 21 that Population Services International says it has distributed 8,848 female condoms to pharmacies, in workplaces and educational institutions such as the University of Botswana since January this year. The story noted that UNFPA and the government were addressing the female condom's high cost, impeding continued use. Read: Daily News

BRAZIL: Condoms Not Distributed to Center 

O Estado de Sao Paulo reported December 30 that only one third of condoms acquired by the Brazilian Government in 2005 reached distribution centers. Most of the 667 million units bought were not approved by national quality standards. To prevent the problem, the Ministry of Health changed its procurement system. With the support of UNFPA, which is known by its high procurement standards, the Brazilian MOH expects to buy 1 billion condoms for free distribution in 2006. Read: Estado de Sao Paulo

The Trinidad & Tobago Express reported December 20 that former UNIFEM Regional Program Director Prof. Jocelyn Massiah issued a specific challenge to the Caribbean media on a night meant to celebrate the best of their work in the area of gender equality, reproductive health and the Millennium Development Goals. "Make Caricom's Pan-Caribbean Partnership gender responsive," she said. "Raise the issue, ask the questions and pressure the powers-that-be." Massiah was one of two guest speakers at the UNFPA's 2005 Caribbean Media Awards held in Kingston , Jamaica . She stressed that the region's fight against HIV was weakened by a lack of gender analysis. Read: Trinidad & Tobago Express

Jamaica Observer ran a December 18 column by Tony Robinson who wrote in a sidebar: “There are so many U.N. organizations in Jamaica – UNESCO, UNDP, UNICEF, and UNFPA – all doing great work. Last week, the UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) sponsored the Caribbean Media Awards of which Jamaica copped the majority of prizes. One big focus of the UNFPA is to ensure that there is universal good quality education for all people and that economic opportunities are open to women and families. Too often their work goes unnoticed, but many Jamaicans benefit from these organizations.” Read: Jamaica Observer

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Gender Policy Document Handed Over

Le Citoyen reported December 19 that a document outlining a new national policy for gender equality was formally handed over to the goverment.  The policy has been developed with the support of UNFPA. Basile Tambashe, UNFPA country representative, spoke about the body of international agreements on gender equality and stressed the importance of a strong national policy in this area.

INDIA: Project to Increase HIV/AIDS and Sexual Health Awareness for School Children

The Hindu reported December 21 that in a major drive to create awareness about HIV/AIDS and sexual health in general among school children, the Central Board of Secondary Education has decided to introduce a series of programs as part of the Adolescence Reproduction and Sexual Health Education project. The project follows the National Action Plan that was crafted in collaboration with UNFPA.

INDIA: Lord Dholkia Speaks Out against “Honor Killings”

Hindustan Times reported December 19 that honor killings are still A cause for concern. Speaking in a debate on 'honor killings' in the House of Lords Liberal Democrat Peer Lord Dholakia said: "No country is immune from this despicable practice. The United Nations Population Fund estimates that the annual worldwide total of ‘honor killings' may be as high as 5000." Lord Dholakia said, "The sooner that we remove the word honor and start to talk about murder, the better. Our starting point is that a single incident is one too many and no civilized nation should tolerate it." Read: Hindustan Times

INDIA: Rural Women Speak Out for Access to Quality Maternal Health Services

Financial Express reported January 1 that women from villages and remote areas in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttaranchal, Rajasthan, Maharashtra , Orissa and Andhra Pradesh took part in a unique initiative called the Women's Health Rights Advocacy Partnership. At a public hearing in the capital, these women shared their experiences before a panel of policy-makers and presented issues related to rural women's access to quality maternal health services. Among those present were senior policy-makers, women survivors of poor maternal health care, grassroots women leaders, representatives of civil society, technical agencies, donors, officials of the ministry of health and family welfare and the Planning Commission, as well as representatives of UNFPA, WHO and UNICEF. Reacting to the concerns of the women, Meenakshi Dutta Ghosh, senior advisor of the Planning Commission, said in a media release: "More concrete steps need to be taken to improve women's access to quality health care services." Read: Financial Express

INDIA: Media Seminar on Population and Poverty

Balochistan Times reported December 24 that at a one-day media seminar organized by the Ministry of Population Welfare in collaboration with the UNFPA, the Provincial Minister for Population Welfare and Zakat, Nasreen Rehman Khetran, said there is a nexus between population and poverty and the issue of poverty could be resolved by overcoming the population growth.

INDONESIA: Workshop Promotes Gender Equality in Islamic Boarding Schools

The Jakarta Post reported December 22 that some people say many pesantren, Islamic boarding schools, with their strong emphasis on tradition, are yet to properly serve and protect women. Gender equality at pesantren is often seen as a "Western ideology", which many clerics believe is against Islamic teachings. In order to change this belief, Puan Amal Hayati Muslim women's organization along with UNFPA held a one-day seminar to discuss how pesantren could play a greater role in promoting gender equality. Read: Jakarta Post

INDONESIA: Task Ahead for Government to Achieve Gender Equality

The Jakarta Post December 22 editorial highlighted the huge task ahead for the government to achieve gender equality. The editorial also mentioned: “In one tsunami-devastated area of Aceh, a visitor asked a medical team, "Where are the midwives?" There were none, while only a few weeks after last December's tragedy, an official with the United Nations Population Fund revealed that at least 800 births were at risk. Many of the midwives had of course become victims themselves and apparently no one had told the volunteers of the possibility of a woman approaching her time of labor. This was an area of unprecedented disaster. But whether in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam or other relatively safer areas, on every national commemoration of Women's Day we are reminded of the huge task ahead of us when it comes to proving that we care for all humans, men and women.” Read: Jakarta Post

KYRGYZSTAN: Health Services During Emergencies Given a Boost

IRIN reported December 20 that three new ambulances and a few hundred boxes of medicines worth $48,000 was handed to the Kyrgyz Ministry of Health during a ceremony at United Nations house. The medical assistance was part of a UNFPA program to boost emergency preparedness in the country. “This is a very important project by UNFPA, these medicines will go primarily to help women,” said U.N. Resident Coordinator in Kyrgyzstan and UNFPA Representative Jerzy Skuratowicz. Read: IRIN

LITHUANIA: UN Representative Completes Her Tenure

Baltic News Service reported January 5 that United Nations Resident Coordinator and United Nations Development Program Resident Representative Cihan Sultanoglu is completing her tenure in Lithuania . The story noted that Sultanoglu has worked as United Nations resident coordinator, UNDP resident representative and UNFPA representative in Vilnius since September 2000.

MALDIVES: Dealing with the Tsunami's Effects One Year Later

The South China Morning Post reported December 24 on the tsunami's effects on the people of Maldives one year later. Aisthath Rameela, project officer of UNFPA's psychological support project, said her group was for the first time training health-care workers to cope with psychological problems such as depression and stress. Rameela said: "At the beginning of January, what we were seeing was fear and extreme sadness, grief and guilt. Many islanders did not have electricity for quite some time after the tsunami struck, so as soon as the sun went down the islanders, and their children especially, were very afraid. They'd never been in total darkness before and would lie there during the night, hearing the waves. It was terrifying for the children. But a year later, those extreme emotions have faded. "Now the real issue is one of conflict and hostility between host communities and people who have moved to new islands."

MYANMAR: Anti-AIDS Program Continued Despite Halt of Global Fund's Funding

Xinhua General News Service reported December 21 that Myanmar is continuing the implementation of its anti-AIDS program with aid from UNICEF, WHO and UNFPA despite halt of the Global Fund to the country three months ago. The story noted UNFPA has extended its aid to Myanmar for another one year up to December 2006 following the expiration of the organization's four-year fund program this month. Under UNFPA's program, Myanmar has been awarded $4 million in aid each year and after the one-year extension period, another four-year program will be introduced in 2007.

NEW ZEALAND: Aid Efforts to Continue Toward Rebuilding After Tsunami

The New Zealand Press Association reported December 26 that New Zealand will continue assisting Asian nations recovering from the Boxing Day tsunami for as long as needed, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said. The story noted that almost $2.5m given to UNFPA in Aceh had helped provide medical supplies and services for 150,000 women who were pregnant at the time.

NIGERIA: NGO Calls on Wife Inheritance Ban

The Daily Independent reported December 23 that at a five-day workshop organized by UNFPA, Executive Director of Lafia David Allu called on the National Assembly to enact a law to ban wife inheritance. The call came through his  a paper he delivered on the effects of poverty on socio-economic development of Nigeria women. Read: Daily Independent

PAKISTAN: Humanitarian Aid Relief Efforts for People Affected by the Earthquake

Business Recorder reported January 6 that Japan has announced additional assistance of 65 million dollars to Pakistan for humanitarian work and construction of hospitals and schools in earthquake-hit areas. The visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso made the announcement after signing the $100 million soft loan agreement with Pakistan . Announcing additional assistance, he said $20 million would be given for humanitarian work being carried out by different international organizations including UNDP, WFP, UNICEF, UNFPA, Unesco, UN-Habitat, ICRC and IFRC. Read: Business Recorder

Pakistan Newswire reported January 5 that the Pakistan government, in collaboration with its international partners, will provide heated communal tents to high-risk groups in the earthquake-affected areas. The Ministry of Health has also arranged donations of warm clothes. The Health Secretary also highlighted the latest statistics on the earthquake and coordination of UNFPA and UNICEF.

The Daily Times reported January 4 that together with UNFPA, the Ministry of Social Welfare, and the Population Council, UNICEF has undertaken a comprehensive registration of all vulnerable women and children in the earthquake-affected areas. Read: Daily Times

PAKISTAN: Female Health Workers Attend Refresher Workshop

The Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported December 29 that at a three-day consensus building workshop for refresher training of female health workers on maternal and neonatal health care, the Sindh Health Secretary acknowledged the significance of female health workers in providing health care services to the people belonging to the remotest parts of the province. Professor Naushad Shaikh appreciated the Primary Health Care Cell of the Federal Health Ministry and UNFPA for their efforts to provide quality training.

PAKISTAN: Population Continues to Grow

The Nation reported December 28 that Director General Mian Muazzam Shah of the Ministry of Population Welfare said Pakistan has failed to slow the population growth. Pakistan, with the population of 153.45 million in mid 2005, is the sixth most populated country in the world, since, 1901 the population of the area now constituting Pakistan has increased nine-fold. The story mentioned that if the population continues to grow at the current level with reduction in fertility rate, the country would simply not be able to bring any improvement in the well being of its population. According to UNFPA, every minute, one woman dies during pregnancy and birth because she did not receive adequate care and prompt treatment. By increasing interventions for safe motherhood, we can save the lives of half a million women and seven million infants, and prevent millions of women from suffering from infections, injury and disability each year, UNFPA added.

PHILIPPINES: 6th Country Program to Be Implemented

The Bohol Chronicle reported January 1 that UNFPA's 6 th Country Program focuses on Ubay, Carmen and Talibon towns for projects that target population and development strategy, reproductive health and gender equality.  Governor Erico Aumentado said: “Let me emphasize here that the UNFPA and the province are not gunning for birth control, but for birth spacing, to give the mother time to recover from her delivery and to give the infant her undivided attention for a longer period. Besides, population management will allow planners and service providers to budget for their LGU's other needs without spreading their already meager resources too thin.” Read: The Bohol Chronicle

PHILIPPINES: Commitment to Achieving Gender Equality

The Manila Standard reported December 28 that the Philippines and 178 other countries have agreed that "gender inequality" is among the causes of poverty. The story noted that women's groups and family planning advocate organizations such as the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines, Reproductive Health Advocacy Network (RHAN), Likhaan, Gabriela, Akbayan, UNICEF and UNFPA were active in lobbying Congress to pass national legislation following the Philippine government committed to the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women, also known as CEDAW.

ROMANIA: Discussion on Slowing Population Decline

Curentul Daily reported December 17 that there is still no solution to Romania 's 16-year population decline. Migration, high mortality and low birth rates are the main causes that led to the decrease and aging of the Romanian population. In order to establish a set of necessary measures to address this issue, the National Institute for Economical Research, the Vladimir Trebici Centre for Demographics Research, with the support of UNFPA, organized a scientific debate with a variety of demography specialists. Read: Curentul Daily

SIERRA LEONE: U.N. Deputy Representative to Sierra Leone Announced

UN News Centre reported December 28 that Secretary-General Kofi Annan has named his Deputy Representative for Sierra Leone, Victor da Silva Angelo of Portugal, as head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL). The story noted that among other U.N. posts, Angelo also served as UNFPA Representative in Mozambique and UN Adviser in Sao Tome and Principe . Read: UN News Centre

SUDAN: Performers Entertain IDPs

IRIN reported December 19 that well-known Sudanese singers and actors performed for thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) as part of the 16 Days of Activism for Violence Against Women campaign, which linked 25 November, the International Day Against Violence Against Women and 10 December, International Human Rights Day. The story noted that the performances, which were supported by UNFPA, are part of a gender-based violence prevention and treatment initiative in Darfur . "[A] distinctive aspect of life of refugees and displaced persons is [the] lack of access to cultural activities such as music, dance, poetry and drama. That contributes to their sense of isolation from the rest of society," said Pamela Delargy, chief of humanitarian response for UNFPA . "Bringing some of Sudan 's most renowned artists and musicians to the camp itself is a message that the displaced in Darfur are not forgotten in their own society and the recognition that music and art is a very important part of life," she said. Delargy added that greater effort needed to be made to protect women and girls living in IDP camps. UNFPA is currently helping authorities establish procedures that will ensure protection and confidentiality for victims of GBV. It is also working with the UN mission in Sudan and the Sudanese government to provide timely treatment for rape victims.Read: IRIN

UNITED STATES: Candidate for President Profiled – Does Not Support UNFPA

The Kansas City Star featured a December 18 story on Sam Brownback (R-KS) and his road to a 2008 run for president. The story noted that Brownback supports the four-year ban on funding – to the tune of $127 million so far – by the Bush administration to UNFPA. A year's worth of withheld U.S. funding could prevent 27,000 maternal deaths or provide contraception to 12 million women, said Deni Robey , spokeswoman for Americans for UNFPA, a group working to overturn the ban. "There's definitely a little bit of imposing values," Robey said. "We can't solve HIV without condom distribution. We can't solve maternal mortality without family planning." Read: Kansas City Star

VIETNAM: Vietnam Growth Rate Lowering

Thanh Nien reported December 21 that Vietnam 's growth rate is 1.33% down from 1.4% last year, almost the same as that of 2002, Nguyen Thien Truong, deputy chief of the Committee of Population, Families and Children. The story mentioned that country's 2.1 fertility rate was lower than the Southeast Asian average of 2.7, a census, published by the General Statistics Office and UNFPA revealed earlier this month. Vietnam 's average is just above that of Thailand 's 1.7 and Singapore 's 1.3. Read: Thanh Nien

ZAMBIA: Country Representative Emphasizes on Child Registration

The Post reported December 17 that commenting on UNICEF's State of the World's Children 2006 report which states that more than 50 million children worldwide go unregistered at birth, UNFPA Country Representative Deji Popoola said registering children at birth was important for the planning of the social, education, health and housing sectors as this would help a country plan for its future. "Lack of registration has direct implications because if a child is not registered at birth and leaves the country but later decides to return home, how can that person claim that he or she is Zambian?" he said. Popoola said even with the issue of child trafficking, it would be difficult to prove the nationality of the trafficked child in the absence of registration.

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