UNFPA IN THE NEWS – NOVEMBER 12-18, 2005

CONTINUING COVERAGE ON SWOP

On November 15, Ohmy News (Korea) ran an interview with Patricia Leidl, contributor to UNFPA's 2005 SWOP report. When asked: Violence against women seems to be such a worrying and widespread phenomenon, is this true? Leidl repsoned: "Violence against women and girls continues to be one of the most pervasive and widespread of human rights abuses. Today, with known global HIV prevalence rates topping 42 million, it is also recognized as one of the most deadly. Gender-based violence and discrimination is one of the driving forces behind the HIV pandemic and is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Today, women and girls comprise the fastest growing population of those infected with HIV." Read: Ohmy News

Ghana: Ghana News Agency reported November 17 that at the launch of UNFPA's SWOP report, Hajia Alima Mahama, Minister of Women and Children Affairs, called on ministries, departments and agencies, civil society and corporate bodies to be committed to the national effort at gender mainstreaming to enable Ghana to achieve gender equality by 2015. Read: Ghana News Agency

South Africa: Business Day ran a November 15 op ed by Ayesha Kajee, a researcher at the South African Institute of International Affairs, that noted it seems Africa may well be on the cusp of a long-delayed wave of empowerment of women. She wrote: "The value of women's empowerment was underscored last month by the United Nations' Population Fund, whose annual report maintains "investments in gender equality and reproductive health offer multiple rewards that can accelerate social and economic progress, with lasting impact on future generations." The growing number of women assuming leadership positions in Africa can act as a catalyst for policy change and help speed the progress of women in their communities." Read: Business Day

ASIA: Leaders Call for Integration of HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health Services

Inter Press Service reported November 18 that at the third Asia-Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health the issue of condoms meant to block transmission of HIV/AIDS and those aimed at preventing unwanted pregnancies has slowed progress in reproductive health care in Asia, and enabled the AIDS pandemic to continue spreading. At the conference, Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, executive director of UNFPA, said: "It's time to integrate reproductive health and rights in all national AIDS plans. And, it is time to include HIV prevention in reproductive health programs, including family planning and antenatal services. This will save money and most importantly, it will save lives." Read: Inter Press Service

BOTSWANA: Support for Youth Needed

Daily News reported November 16 that at the opening of the Tutume Youth Center, UNFPA Country Representative Dr. Agathe Lawson said for youth to contribute to the country's development, they need to be provided with supportive information of high quality. Lawson said youth involvement in community and national development are essential and fundamental. Read: Daily News

Mmegi reported November 16 that at the opening of the youth center, UNFPA Country Representative Dr. Agathe Lawson challenged parents to allow children to utilize the centre. She said the youth should not be referred to as a problem in unemployment and HIV/AIDS issues but should be seen as a solution. "Young people are at a unique position to play a major role in developing the country," she said. Read: Mmegi

INDIA: Government Pledges Funds to UN Agencies

Press Trust of India reported November 15 that India has pledged more than $8.6 million for various United Nations agencies for the next year. The highest commitment of $4.5 million will go to UNDP followed by $1.92 million to WFP. UNICEF will get $900,000, UNFPA $200,000 and UNIFEM $20,000.

INDIA: Unbalanced Sex Ratio

The Hindu reported November 14 that religious and spiritual leaders came together to focus attention on the alarming fall in the sex ratio at a one-day conference, "India's Missing Daughters: Faith for Action Against Sex Selection," organized by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's The Art of Living Foundation and UNFPA. Read: The Hindu

Times of India reported November 12 that at a recent workshop organized by UNFPA and the Centre for Social Research, it was revealed that around 137.77 lakh girls had "gone missing between 1981 and 1991, and that by the next census, 23 million males would not find partners." Read: Times of India

KAZAKHSTAN: Site Visit

Kazinform reported November 15 that a 26-member delegation consisting of representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Assistance Association of the UN, the UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, MOT and the WHO is taking a tour of various activities in Shymkent. Read: Kakinform

MADAGASCAR: Population and Development

Le Quotidien reported November 14 that UNFPA is funding training workshops around the country to sensitize local leaders to population dynamics, taking into account local culture and traditions.

MALAYSIA: UNFPA and MERCY Malaysia to Collaborate on Women's Project

Bernama reported November 18 that UNFPA and MERCY Malaysia will collaborate on a project to help women, including fighting sexual violence. At the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, MERCY Malaysia was represented by Dr. Fauziah while UNFPA by its Executive Director and Under-Secretary of the UN, Thoraya Ahmed Obaid. The MoU signing was witnessed by Resident Coordinator of United Nations's Malaysia Richard Leete. Read: Bernama

NEPAL: Interview with Director of the Asia-Pacific Division on the Effects of the Armed Conflict

Nepali Times featured a November 13 interview with Sultan Aziz, director of the Asia-Pacific Division of UNFPA, who was asked: "Is it true that the current, armed conflict is affecting health care less than other sectors?" Aziz responded: "No, I completely disagree with that. I think there's a perception that somebody in a dire health situation will get help. But the argument should be that the very structure that supports the health system is suffering. If a particular road is blocked and a woman cannot reach the hospital to deliver, she dies or faces some complication. If health is to become completely neutral, then both sides have to be very clear that they are committed to saving lives, not destroying them." Aziz was also asked: "Has conflict affected UNFPA's work in Nepal?" He said: "I think it's a fact that the conflict has affected all. The professionals whom we have invested in for years in Nepal cannot access certain areas to provide services. We have to train our co-workers to understand what the realities are in a crisis, so they are able to respond. We should no longer pretend that we can continue to do development in a crisis and in the absence of security." Read: Nepali Times

NEPAL: Seminar to Review Health Programs

Rising Nepal reported November 14 that at the Review Seminar of the health programs, Assistant Minister for Health and Population Neekshya SJB Rana assured that His Majesty's Government is taking serious initiatives to manage the health sector. Regional health directors of all five development regions presented annual reports of their respective regions. Also present during the seminar were divisional chiefs, representatives of UNFPA and WHO in Nepal and various other organizations working in the health sector. Read: Rising Nepal

NIGERIA: UNFPA Equips 12 Hospitals

The Guardian reported November 13 that UNFPA has donated various equipment to 12 hospitals in Abia. Ndubuisi Udensi, of Ministry of Information said the donation consists of hospital beds, mattresses, sphygmomanometer, stethoscope, mucus extractor, instrument sterilizer, artery forceps spencer, sterilizer chentle and clinical thermometer among others. Health Commissioner for the State, thanked UNFPA and assured that the equipment will be used effectively.

NIGERIA: Mid-Term Review of Country Program

Tribune Newspaper reported November 15 that at the UNFPA mid-term review meeting of FGN-UNFPA 5th country program in Abuja, Professor Eyitayo Lambo, minister for health, raised the alarm over increasing child mortality and the declining maternal health in the country while addressing participants. To resolve the situation his ministry has started reforms in the health sector and forecasted that by 2010 Nigeria would have effective and affordable care delivery system that meets the needs of the people.

PAKISTAN: Continuing Aid for People Affected by Earthquake

Kashar World News reported November 18 that the National Volunteer Movement (NVM) and UNPFA agreed to collaborate and extend cooperation for the rehabilitation of the earthquake victims. Both NVM and UNFPA representatives agreed to increase collaboration and extend assistance in order to better serve the survivors of the earthquake in Azad Jammu & Kashmir and northern Pakistan. Read: Kashar World News

Pakistan Link reported November 17 that Federal Health Minister, Mohammed Nasir Khan praised international donor agencies and governments by saying the groups have played a vital role in the rehabilitation and relief effort in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake. The minister lauded the work done by the organizations like the UNICEF, WHO UNFPA, and a host of other organizations in aiding the government towards providing medical relief to quake survivors. A UNFPA representative stressed the need for focusing on the health needs of women and children as they have been worst hit by the calamity. It was pointed out that 60 to 70 percent of the affected are women and children. Read: Pakistan Link

Dawn reported November 17 that UNFPA Representative Dr. France Donnay said that UNFPA has mobilized about $5 million to revive health system and train community health providers in basic maternal care in the earthquake- affected areas. "Some of the major donors to UNFPA are Japan, Germany and Norway and these funds are needed to adequately care for the thousands of women who require medical assistance in the coming months," she stated at briefing on UNFPA activities in affected areas of AJK and NWFP. Read: Dawn: Nov. 15, Nov. 17

Pakistan Newswire reported November 16 that nine mobile units set up by UNFPA is providing medical assistance to affected communities in the quake hit areas in NWFP and Azad Kashmir. UNFPA Representative in Pakistan Dr. France Donnay said $400 million are required to provide medical aid to the people affected by the earthquake. $57 million are needed for health services in the affected areas for the next six months. She said there is shortage of money and appealed for generous donations.

PHILIPPINES: Expert Calls for Repeal of the Revised Penal Code Provision

Manila Times ran a November 13 letter by Clara Rita A. Padilla, Executive Director of EnGendeRights, Inc., urging the repeal of the Revised Penal Code provision. The letter notes: "This has led to high maternal mortality, with a ratio of 200 deaths per 100,000 live births (UNFPA, 2005 State of the World Population). Recognizing that criminalizing abortion does not lessen the number of abortion but makes it dangerous for women, the Cairo and Beijing conferences urged countries to review penalties against women who undergo abortions, and the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women recommended that state parties remove punitive provisions imposed on women who undergo abortion." Padilla concluded: "The Philippines is obligated to repeal the Revised Penal Code provision imposing penalties on women inducing abortion and those assisting them. Predominantly Catholic countries such as Spain, Italy and Belgium make safe and legal abortion available for their women. Indeed, our laws should be compassionate and responsive to women's realities." Read: Manila Times

SIERRA LEONE: Workshop Held on Gender-Based Violence

Awareness Times reported November 18 that the Family Support Unit of the Sierra Leone Police, in collaboration with the SLP-HIV/AIDS Focal Point, the International Rescue Committee and UNFPA, held a three-day workshop on sexual and gender-based violence in Freetown. The workshop attracted 40 participants from various units, agencies, line ministries and social workers dealing with cases of Sexual and Gender Based Violence in society. Read: Awareness Times

SUDAN: Efforts to Prevent Fistula

IRIN ran a November 16 story on preventing fistula in Sudan that noted according to UNFPA, factors that contribute to the fistula problem are early pregnancy, poverty, illiteracy, gender inequality and limited geographic, financial and socio-cultural access to family planning and emergency obstetric care. "It is a miserable, heartbreaking condition, and these women are usually neglected by their families. They are not included in the social life, cannot go into public places because all the time the smell like urine," Rogaia Abuelgasim, UNFPA Sudan program officer for reproductive health, said. In order to prevent obstetric fistula, UNFPA, along with the Sudanese government, had assisted in the training of 500 midwives, who would help women living in villages without access to hospitals or transportation. "The midwives are also there to diagnose and assist in the obstructed labour or if they cannot, they will get them the necessary medical care that they need before the fistula is developed. This will help to prevent fistula rather than to cure it. Prevention is much cheaper than the fistula operation itself," Abuelgasim said. Read: IRIN

ZIMBABWE: Reproductive Health Campaign Announced

The Herald reported November 13 that Zimbabwe has embarked on a major reproductive health campaign worth over $3.3 million to reduce high maternal deaths currently claiming 1 000 lives per every 100 000 live births, in line with Millennium Development Goal 5 which seeks to address the needs of the most vulnerable women. The joint effort by the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare and UNFPA, with financial support from DFID, will be carried out throughout the country over a period of 12 months. Read: The Herald

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