| UNFPA IN THE NEWS – FEBRUARY 19-25, 2005
UN REPORT FORECASTS POPULATION TO HIT 9 BILLION BY 2050
Associated Press reported February 25 that according to the U.N. Population Division, the world's population will increase by 40 percent to 9.1 billion in 2050 with virtually all the growth in the 50 poorest countries. Thoraya Obaid, executive director of UNFPA, said the new projections should spur more action to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS and help couples freely determine the size of their families. "We must take more urgent action to promote access to reproductive health, including family planning, and fight HIV/AIDS to save millions of lives from AIDS and maternal death, as well as to reduce poverty in developing countries," she said in a statement. In a February 24 story by Inter Press Service, Obaid said, as the world reviews the successes and failures of the 1995 Beijing women's conference (at the upcoming two-week-long U.N. meeting beginning Monday), "we must promote women's rights to protect their welfare and health, especially reproductive health," she said. Read: Associated Press, Inter Press Service, UN News Centre CONDOM SHORTAGE
The Guardian (U.K.) reported February 24 that the fight against AIDS is being hampered by a massive shortage of condoms - partly due to a lack of funding for the United Nations Population Fund, which has had its income slashed by the Bush administration. The Guardian noted that international development minister, Gareth Thomas, will appeal to the EU to use its influence to get reproductive health and the condom issue discussed at the summit on the UN's millennium development goals in September. "If we are going to try to tackle the AIDS crisis in Africa and stop it expanding in Asia, we have got to increase funding for UNFPA and get reproductive health rights discussed," he said. Read: The Guardian TSUNAMI RELIEF
Thailand: UN News Centre reported February 24 that UNFPA said it is restoring its health services, including HIV/AIDS prevention, in the coastal region of Thailand devastated by the December tsunami and also expanding its work into the communities of immigrants from Myanmar. "The tsunami's tragic debris has largely been cleared and ground has been broken for new communities in Ranong, Phang-nga, Phuket and Krabi," UNFPA said in Phuket. "After a joint assessment, UNFPA and the Ministry of Public Health agreed assistance should focus on safe motherhood, family planning, gender equality, HIV prevention and adolescent health, including behavior change communication." Read: UN News Centre New Zealand: A February 25 story by New Zealand Press Association noted that the New Zealand government gave NZ $1 million to UNFPA for its tsunami relief efforts.
CAMEROON: Workshop on Improving Maternal Health
The Cameroon Tribune reported February 21 that the Ministry of Public Health and UNFPA held a four-day workshop on the prevention of maternal death and disabilities resulting from child birth in Francophone Africa. Prior to the workshop, UNFPA's office briefed journalists on its efforts to improve the situation of pregnant women in Cameroon and the importance of maternal health care. Read: Cameroon Tribune GHANA
Vehicle Donated to Strengthen Community-Based Project* Ghana News Service reported February 23 that UNFPA presented a Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle to the Central Region Directorate of Ghana Health Service in Accra. The donation is part of a project by the European Union, UNFPA and the government to strengthen community-based reproductive health and information in the region. Makane Kane, UNFPA Representative, said even though Ghana had made some strides and achievements in the area of population, development and reproductive health, much more needed to be done. He said, "The project is not a special or vertical project but one that builds on existing structures and programs of the Ministry of Health." Read: Ghana News Agency KENYA: Athletes Called on To Eradicate AIDS and Female Genital Mutilation
The Nation (Kenya) reported February 23 that UNFPA's goodwill ambassador Yuko Arimori asked journalists to work with athletes to eradicate AIDS and female genital mutilation (FGM). The former marathon runner from Japan, said: "As an athlete, I hope to reach as many people as possible because they understand and admire my success." Earlier in the week, Arimori visited a UNFPA rescue center for girls who run away from FGM operation and early marriages. Addressing journalists at a breakfast meeting, Arimori, accompanied by UNFPA country representative Kemal Mustafa, asked for feedback from journalists who have gained from training and scholarships funded by the UN body in the past decade. Read: The Nation LIBERIA: UNFPA Committed to Liberia
The Analyst (Liberia) reported February 23 that during the awarding of equipment donated by UNFPA to Liberian officials, UNFPA country representative Deji Popoola, said, "As a development agency, UNFPA is committed to assist government replenish some equipments looted during the 2003 wars." He added that they are aware of the senseless looting of government and private properties and was happy to provide some generators, photocopies, computers with other accessories to meet their objective of capacity building. Read: The Analyst NIGERIA: "Fistula Fortnight"
Associated Press reported February 22 that UNFPA launched "Fistula Fortnight," a two-week effort to treat Nigerian women afflicted with obstetric fistula, a debilitating but easily treated injury usually accompanied by a crushing social stigma. "Fistula is something that is unpleasant to discuss, unpleasant to talk about, but easy to cure," U.N. Population Fund spokeswoman Kristin Hetle said. "It is in many ways the worst indicator of a maternal health care system that doesn't work." This Day (Nigeria) reported February 23 that at the launch of "Fistula Fortnight," Deputy Executive Director of UNFPA, Imelda Henkin, said between 50,000 and 100,000 women are being afflicted every year. She said with counseling and care from family and community members, the disease can be repaired through surgical procedure, which can bring back life to those affected. Read: Reuters: Feb. 22, Feb. 23, IRIN, This Day: Feb. 23, Feb. 24, UN News Centre, Voice of America NIGERIA: First Census in 10 Years to Be Conducted
Inter Press Service reported February 21 that more than a decade after its last headcount, Nigeria is preparing to conduct the country's fifth census this year. The European Union is supporting the headcount with funding of about $15 million. UNFPA and USAID have also pledged assistance with the census. Read: Inter Press Service PHILIPPINES: Ligtas-Bunis 2005 Campaign Underway The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported February 21 that about 15,000 health workers deployed nationwide are starting to distribute some 1.6 million different contraceptive items as the Ligtas-Buntis 2005 campaign officially kicks off to promote family planning in the Philippines. The contraceptives, mostly donations from USAID and UNFPA, are already in the Department of Health regional offices, Dr. Honorata Catibog, director of the DOH Family Planning Program, said.
SIERRA LEONE: Health Minister Supports Maternal Health to Develop Country* Panafrican News Agency reported February 19 that Sierra Leonean Health Minister Abator Thomas and ranking participants at the four-day repositioning family planning conference in West Africa said, "If the mother is well the well-being of the children and the entire family is guaranteed and the nation can develop." Thomas thanked donor agencies such as the World Bank, the African Development Bank, UNICEF, WHO and UNFPA for supporting her country to rebuild its health system.
SOUTH AFRICA: 70 Million More Condoms Available from Last Year
The Cape Times (South Africa) ran a February 25 column by John Scott who noted that South Africans should be grateful to Trevor Manuel for making 430 million free condoms available this year - up 70 million from last year. He noted that UNFPA estimates that only four condoms a year are available for every man in Africa between 15 and 59. Read: Cape Times SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: Experts Meet to Discuss Reproductive Health Issues
New Era (Namibia) reported February 23 that stakeholders in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) programs from Sub-Saharan Africa, the epicenter of HIV/AIDS, met in Windhoek to recommit their attention and resources to SRH issues. About 200 delegates carved out a comprehensive reproductive health component, to be incorporated into the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) framework on related health issues. The conference is sponsored by International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region in collaboration with the African Union, UNFPA and the Ministry of Health and Social Services. Read: IRIN, New Era UNITED STATES: New Chairman of the Santa Fe Community Foundation Announced
The Albuquerque Journal (U.S.) reported February 23 that Felice Gonzales, a Realtor with Santa Fe Properties, is the new chairman of the Santa Fe Community Foundation. Gonzales, who has a law degree from the University of New Mexico, also is on the board of the U.S. Committee for the United Nations Population Fund and has served on the boards of Planned Parenthood Federation of American, International Planned Parenthood Federation for the Western Hemisphere, Santa Fe Rape Crisis Center, Open Hands and Santuario de Guadalupe. UZBEKISTAN: Support to National University's Demography Department
The UzReport.com (Uzbekistan) reported February 25 that UNFPA and the National University of Uzbekistan signed an agreement to revise the existing curriculum on demography and introduce modern demography methods and approaches. UNFPA already equipped the demography department with modern electronic data processing and office equipment necessary to improve its capacity on research and teaching revised demography curriculum. Read: UzReport.com
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