UNFPA IN THE NEWS – NOVEMBER 19-DECEMBER 2, 2005

INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

UN News Centre reported November 25 that the United Nations marked the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women with calls to states to take legal action against the global scourge, for societies to change a mindset that permits such abuse, and for women themselves to stand up and speak out against a culture of shame. "Together we must prevent and punish violence against women," UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid said. Read: UN News Centre

Botswana: Daily News reported November 28 that at celebrations to mark the day, Allah Moyo, on behalf of UNFPA, said every woman has the right to live in dignity, free of fear, coercion, violence and discrimination; and every child has the right to education and health. She said women and girls continued to be threatened by domestic violence and abuse in their own homes. Moyo stressed that social norms and attitudes that condone discrimination and violence against women and girls can be changed. Read: Daily News

Cambodia: On November 25 The Cambodia Daily featured a 3-page spread, sponsored by UNFPA, on Cambodia's law on prevention of domestic violence and protection of victims to mark the 16-day Campaign against Violence against Women.

Morocco: On November 23, AFP reprorted that the participants in the 1st Mediterranean Forum on Violence Against Women, co-organized by UNFPA, called for national laws and other practical measures to be adopted urgently to stamp out violence against women and girls, which harms the whole society and prevents women from fully contributing to development.

Nepal: Xinhua General News Service reported November 25 that to mark the day of observance, the Forum for Women, Law and Development and UNFPA jointly organized the release of a report that found the number of cases related to violence against women is increasing by the year in Nepal. Read: Xinhua General News Service

Katmandu Post reported November 25 that Junko Sazaki, country representative of UNFPA, speaking at violence against women activities, said the toll on women and children is invariably heavy due to the conflict situation in addition to the fact that higher percentages of the displaced are also women. "In Nepal, only vaginal penetration is seen as rape against women without looking into other forms of crimes such as trafficking, forced labor and organ replacement," she said. "Thousands of women are unable to report to police or are deprived of litigation either due to absence of courts in the countryside due to conflict or because they fear further atrocities from the perpetrators." Read: Katmandu Post

Sudan: Suna News Agency reported November 29 that to observe the UN day, the Advisory Council on Human Rights in collaboration with UNFPA, the voluntary organizations and the ministry of women and children affairs launched the Sudan Action plan to eliminate violence against women. Agence France-Presse reported December 2 that civilians made homeless by the devastating civil war in Sudan's western region of Darfur say they remain prey to attack by militiamen because they are unable to survive on the meager relief supplies provided in their camps. Nonetheless, U.N. agencies remain sufficiently concerned about the continuing threat of violence against women that they organized a series of events in Nyala last week to promote awareness of the problem. Women singers and traditional healers took part in the series of concerts organized by UNFPA. Read: Agence France-Presse

Zambia: To commemorate the UN observance, The Post ran a November 29 editorial that noted: "We also remember that in September 1998, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) brought together 400 experts from 37 countries to discuss the causes and costs of domestic violence, and policies and programs to address it. As if that is not enough, in 1999, the United Nations Population Fund declared violence against women a public health priority. With all these proclamations and actions, it was expected that more positive results should have been achieved by now."

WORLD AIDS DAY

UN News Centre reported December 1 that under the 2005 banner "Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise," the United Nations system around the world observed World AIDS Day through the launch of new initiatives and through ceremonies at the largest cathedral in New York, cricket stadiums in Lahore and Auckland, and a range of other venues. "On this day, it is important to focus our attention on what we know is working and to put greater political commitment and financial resources toward these ends," said Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, UNFPA executive director, saying AIDS strategies must involve all people affected, including women, youth and men. Read: UN News Centre

Ghanaian Chronicle ran a December 1 editorial that noted, "Today, December 1, marks another World AIDS Day, a day set aside to create awareness and for the whole world to take stock of how it is faring against the scourge." The editorial also mentioned: "In spite of the various efforts worldwide, the United Nations Population Fund State of World Population 2005 reveals that 'though most countries, including those in sub-Saharan Africa, have adopted national strategies to combat the epidemic, millions of women and men - indeed, the vast majority - are still without services or treatment'." The editorial concluded: "The social and economic cost of the HIV/AIDS pandemic is real and there is therefore the need to move beyond the periodic workshops in the cities, to the community centers, to bring home to the people the reality of the scourge. We must not allow the day to become one of those ceremonial days on our calendar, for AIDS is real and must be stopped!" Read: Ghanaian Chronicle

Afghanistan: Agence France-Presse reported December 1 that Afghanistan has recorded only three deaths from AIDS but is sitting on a ticking "time bomb" of HIV with thousands of people injecting drugs, UNFPA said in a statement to mark World AIDS Day. Read: Agence France-Presse, BBC News

Bangladesh: Financial Express reported December 2 that while marking World AIDS Day, Health and Family Welfare Minister Khandakar Mosharraf Hossain said Bangladesh is at high risk of AIDS because of the high prevalence of the fatal disease in the neighboring countries. The function was addressed, among others, by BMA president M A Hadi, UNFPA Country Director Suneeta Mukherjee and UNAIDS Country Coordinator Averistro Maroya. Read: Financial Express, New Nation

Bhutan: Keunsel reported December 1 that the total number of HIV/AIDS patients in Bhutan has reached to 76 with two more patients identified recently, according to the health ministry on World AIDS Day. About a thousand people from Paro joined the UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador, Her Majesty Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck to observe the day. Read: Keunsel

India: Indo-Asian News Service reported November 28 that the National AIDS Control Organization and UNFPA have developed a range of educational, informative and communication materials to sensitize youths about HIV/AIDS at a convention scheduled for December 1, World AIDS Day. Read: Indo-Asian News Service

Indian Express reported December 2 that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said his government's goal in the next two years will be restructuring the healthcare system to ensure a comprehensive package of services to the community and to HIV-infected persons. The prime minister also released a handbook for young people produced jointly by NACO and UNFPA. Read: Indian Express

Jordan: Jordan Times reported December 2 that Health Ministry Spokesperson Radi Jawarneh said several activities including ceremonies and lectures were organized in various parts of the country on World AIDS Day. This year's global theme for World AIDS Day is "Stop AIDS - Keep the Promise." It calls on governments to keep commitments made at the 2000 U.N. Millennium Summit to put an end to HIV/AIDS, according to a joint UNICEF, WHO, UNFPA statement. Read: Jordan Times

Sri Lanka: Daily News ran a December 1 op ed by Dr. H.A.P. Kahadhaliyanage, director general health services, ministry of healthcare and nutrition, marking World AIDS Day that noted since 2004, a pilot project is been carried out with the assistance of UNICEF and UNFPA for prevention of mother-to-child transmission which is to be rolled out to other areas in the future. Read: Daily News

Zimbabwe: UN News Centre reported December 1 that on World AIDS Day, UNFPA announced an initiative in Zimbabwe to counter rape and other abuse of women, which, it said, helps to fuel the spread of the epidemic. Read: UN News Centre

HIV/AIDS AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES NEED TO BE INTEGRATED

Xinhua General News Service reported November 22 that Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, head of UNFPA said the HIV/AIDS epidemic will not be stopped unless leaders at all levels act now to boost comprehensive prevention efforts targeting groups such as women, injection drug users and sex workers. "What we see today further confirms the importance of a comprehensive and integrated approach to HIV/AIDS prevention," said Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, executive director of the UNFPA, in response to a new report about the continued spread of the deadly disease. Obaid said the new report confirmed that in many countries, marriage and women's own fidelity do not guarantee them protection from HIV infection. Condom use was just as import to effect a decline in the rate of sexually transmitted infections. "This confirms what we've known for many years now," she said. "While abstinence and fidelity are very important and necessary components of HIV prevention, they must be promoted along with other strategies, including access to both male and female condoms." Read: Xinhua General News Service, UN News Centre

AFRICA: More Resources Needed to Conduct Census in Africa

Cameroon Tribune reported November 23 that at a 5-day workshop organized by UNFPA in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning, Programming and Regional Development, population experts discussed ways and means of mobilizing resources for population census in Africa. According to the UNFPA Representative to Cameroon, Faustin K. Yao, Cameroon may have the necessary resources to organize its census, but there still remains the need to have support from other countries. Read: Cameroon Tribune

ASIA: Experts Discuss Early Education on Reproductive and Sexual Health

Inter Press Service reported November 20 at the 3rd Asia-Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health, early education on reproductive and sexual health - especially during adolescence - was widely discussed here, given that young people in Asia are having their first sexual experiences earlier than ever and information is needed to protect them from risky behavior. The story noted that in Sri Lanka, UNFPA is trying out a pilot project on teaching sex education to children from the first grade and building on these sex-education messages in an appropriate fashion for each grade level, thereafter. "We start with health issues like cleanliness for grade one and then add more messages in the upper grades and finally talk about safer sex," said Asela Ramjet Kakugampitiya, UNFPA's monitoring and evaluation officer. "However, we are not sure whether we can talk directly about safe sex. Sex education is a controversial issue in our country (Sri Lanka) too.'' Read: Inter Press Service

BANGLADESH: Legislators Urged to Pay More Attention to Population Growth

United News of Bangladesh reported December 1 that at a meeting titled "Interaction between Service Providers and Community Leaders and Community Participation," Finance Minister M. Saifur Rahman slammed the ignorance of political leaders and lack of planning to check the population boom in Bangladesh. UNFPA Representative Suneeta Mukherjee, Planning Division Secretary M. Akhter Hossain and Member of the Planning Commission's Industry and Energy Division KMSA Kaiser also spoke on the session.

BANGLADESH: Imams Awarded for Contributions

The Financial Express reported November 28 that at a conference jointly organized by Islamic Foundation Bangladesh and the UNFPA, Prime Minister Khaleda Zia distributed awards and certificates among 10 selected best Imams from six administrative divisions in the conference of Imams for their outstanding contributions towards socio-economic development. Read: Financial Express

The New Nation reported November 27 that the inaugural session of the Imam conference was also addressed by the Ministry's Secretary Rafiqul Islam, UNPFA Representative Suneeta Mukherjee, Islamic Foundation Director General M Fazlur Rahman and Imam representative AFM Nazmus Salehin. Read: The New Nation

BOTSWANA: Botswana Benefits from India's Help

Daily News reported November 29 that at a dinner to bid farewell to the India's High Commissioner Lal Mauna, Head of the Delegation of European Union Claudia Wiedey, and UNFPA Resident Representative to Botswana Agathe Lawson, Botwana's Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Mompati Merafhe said that since formal diplomatic relations were established between Botswana and India, Botswana had benefited from various programs and projects funded by the Indian government. Merafhe also congratulated Lawson for the cooperation between UNFPA and Botswana, which started in 1971. He said UNFPA had assisted Botswana in establishing institutional frameworks for the future implementation of population and reproductive health activities. Read: Daily News

CAMEROON: Follow-Up Meeting to Assess Fourth Country Program

Cameroon Tribune reported November 29 that UNFPA Representative to Cameroon Faustin Yao explained the follow-up meeting to assess the fourth program of UNFPA Assistance to Cameroon enables the two partners to sit back and see if set objectives have been achieved. "It is important to make an examination of how human, material and financial resources have been utilized", he said, adding that "if they have not been adequate, more will be mobilized." Read: Cameroon Tribune, Cameroon Radio Television

CAMEROON: First Census in 18 Years to Be Conducted

Voice of America reported November 24 that it has been 18 years since Cameroon last attempted to carry out a nationwide head count of its people. And so, this time, census organizers began preparations with a public education program, aimed at eliminating any mystery surrounding the process. The story noted that UNFPA recommends that national censuses be carried out every 10 years. However, they are extremely expensive, highly complicated and require massive logistical coordination and technical know-how. Voice of America

The Post ran a November 27 column by Bouddih Adams that compared the 1987 census to the lacking preparations for the upcoming one. Adams reflected: "In our days we were informed that United Nations Population Fund assisted the government of Cameroon to carry out the demographic census. The money seems to have been ready before the exercise began." He concluded: "If there is anything to compare the attitude of the Cameroonian public towards the census, it is the same attitude towards registration for elections. Cameroonians have somewhat lost confidence in any government action." Read: The Post

CARIBBEAN: UNFPA Representative Announced Media Awards and Addresses Gender Equality

Prensa Latina reported December 1 that six Caribbean journalists from Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago will be honored next Tuesday, December 6, during the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA Caribbean Media Awards at the Hilton Kingston in Jamaica. Harold Robinson, UNFPA representative for the Caribbean, also said that in order for the region to make greater strides for gender equality, young boys and men must be engaged, and men must change long-held gender-based attitudes and behaviors, "They need to be engaged, early on, in the principles and practices of respect for the opposite sex." Read: Prensa Latina

CONGO: First National Day to Combat Maternal Mortality

La Collecte reported November 28 on the first day to combat matrenal mortality was organized in Congo-Brazzaville with the support of UNFPA. "Each one of us should be engaged to ensure that women don't die when giving life", said Dr. Josee Kawende Bora form UNFPA. Read: La Collecte, www.planeteafrique.com/lacollecte

COTE D'IVOIRE: Census Reveals Number of Displaced Persons

IRIN reported November 28 that Abidjan, economic capital of the world's top cocoa producer, has grown by some 933,000 war-displaced to an estimated population of four million, according to a new survey financed by UNFPA. UNFPA, together with the national economics school, ENSEA, interviewed thousands of displaced in five areas ranging from Abidjan to the western rebel-held town of Danane. That survey put the national number of war-displaced higher than previous estimates, at 1,204,966. Read: IRIN

GEORGIA: Upcoming Census Being Revised

The Messenger reported November 30 that in preparation of the 2010 census, the Department of Statistics supported by the UNFPA presented a number of plans for renovating the statistical system to donor organizations and government officials. Read: The Messenger

ESTONIA: Estonia Names Development and Relief Priorities

Baltic News Service reported December 1 that the Estonian Foreign Ministry has finished the draft strategy of development cooperation and humanitarian relief for 2006-2009, which names Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and Afghanistan as priorities. The story also noted that Estonia intends to increase in coming years support to various U.N. agencies such as UNICEF, UNHCR and UNFPA.

INDIA: A Call to Increase Marriage Age for Girls

The Hindu reported November 28 that experts participating in a workshop on "Marriage at right age'' in India called for adopting a focused approach to bring about a significant increase in the average age of marriage. UNFPA's Hendrik van der Pol noted that childbirth to adolescent girls affects their health and had profound social and economic consequences.

INDIA: Sex Ratio Imbalance

Sunday Herald reported November 20 on the sex ratio imbalance in India. The story quoted Ena Singh, UNFPA assistant representative in India, as saying: "There is a range of factors causing this decline in the numbers of women. It is a misconception that it's the rural poor and the illiterate who are aborting their girl children. The data shows it's predominantly an urban problem caused by religious, cultural and economic factors." Read: Sunday Herald

INDONESIA: Obaid Speaks about Islam and Reproductive Health

Jakarta Post ran a November 22 interview with UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid who recently visited Indonesia to promote gender equality and reproductive health. Obaid stressed the importance of religious leaders taking part in the effort to improve reproductive health in Muslim countries. When she was asked: "How can mullahs contribute to improving reproductive health," Obaid responded: "In a Muslim society like Indonesia, a very important principle of Islam is preserving your health, which supports your thinking, analytical abilities and knowledge. Knowledge is the basis on which we make good or bad decisions. The whole society has to be knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS so that people know how to act in a responsible way. All religions are built on the principles of mercy, compassion and tolerance. So therefore, all religious leaders are responsible for showing such mercy, compassion and understanding. They have to speak about maternal mortality and how women should be better treated. They have to speak about HIV/AIDS and how young people should be careful and protect themselves. They also have to overcome the stigma attached to people living with HIV/AIDS as they are sick people. It's not enough to just say that this is forbidden. They have to go beyond haram. Yes, there are certain things that are haram, but things happen in our society. We should not close our eyes to this."

KAZAKHSTAN: Government Contributes to U.N. Agencies

Kazinform reported November 22 that Kazakhstan made voluntary contribution to UNICEF, UNFPA, the U.N. Regional Center for Peace and Disarmament in Asian-Pacific and UNEP. Read: Kazinform

KUWAIT: Kuwait Donates Money to U.N. Agencies Aiding Earthquake Victims in Pakistan

Kuwait News Agency reported December 1 that Kuwait, represented by Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS), made an additional donation of $3 million to UNFPA, WHO, UNICEF, WFP, and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs to be used in aiding victims of the earthquake that hit Pakistan on October 8. Read: Kuwait News Agency

LEBANON: Gender-Based Violence Workshop

The Daily Star reported November 30 that at the opening of the gender-based violence Workshop, Social Affairs Minister Nayla Mouawad said, "Ending all kinds of violence requires a long-term commitment to developing strategies." Mouawad added: "UNFPA is committed to continuing its support for the efforts deployed on the national level." She also said the aim of this support is "to raise the level of awareness of all partners to improve the situation of women, especially where services and reproductive healthcare are concerned." Read: Daily Star

LIBERIA: Education Officials Meet with Partners and Potential Donors

Angola Press Agency reported November 28 that Liberian education ministry officials have held consultations here with U.N. agencies, donors and other partners ahead of a major Education Sector Donor Conference starting 8 December in Monrovia, according to Education Minister Evelyn Kandakai. The Liberian delegation met with representatives of the African Development Bank and UN agencies UNESCO, UNICEF, WFP and UNFPA, as well as USAID and Plan International, among other potential donors. Read: Angola Press Agency

MALAYSIA: Malaysian Youths Educate Peers on Sexual and Reproductive Health

New Straits Times reported November 19 on Malaysian youths training to be peer educators to provide advice and counseling to other young people on sexual and reproductive health. The story noted that eight members from Malaysia, the Philippines, Cambodia and Bangladesh formed the Movement of Adolescents in Sex and Reproductive Health, or Movah, under the Japanese Organization for International Co-operation in Family Planning and UNFPA.

MAURITANIA: Mauritania Celebrates the African Day for Statsistics

Horizon reported 21 November that on the African day of Statistics, the Minister for Health and Social Affaires and the Minister for Finance reiterated the importance of this day that reminds governments all over Africa every year of the importance of reliable data and statistics to guide governments in their development programmes. The UNFPA representative highlighted that the cooperation between Government of Mauritania and the UNFPA in this domain dated back to the seventies and that UNFPA has since contributed to the realisation of three national censuses. UNFPA reaffirmed its commitment to support the Government in its effort to improve the quality and availability of data and statistics necessary for development.

MEXICO: Population Growth Slowed with Family Planning

Universal Press Syndicate featured a December 1 commentary by Georgie Anne Geye that noted: "Mexfam, the respected 40-year-old population planning organization that is a member of the international Planned Parenthood Organization, announced after three days of meetings with the Washington-based Population Institute that Mexico is effectively approaching population stabilization." Geyer quoted Arie Hoekman, UNFPA representative in Mexico as saying: "It's really a success story. They've been able to bring down population growth so quickly." Read: Universal Press Syndicate

NIGERIA: UNFPA Donates Hospital Equipment

The Daily Independent reported December 1 that UNFPA donated various hospital equipment worth N135 million to the Kebbi State Government. During the presentation, UNFPA Adviser Dr. Yusuf Lawal Gusau said the gesture was aimed at supporting health care delivery across the state. Read: Daily Independent

NIGERIA: UNFPA Commended for Assisting Monitoring and Evaluation Program

The Tide reported November 23 that Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Council, Aroloyeteim I. Brown commended UNFPA for assisting in launching the local government monitoring and evaluation committee program at the council secretariat. UNFPA Program Adviser and Team Leader in Rivers State Cordelia Orisaremi said in Rivers State it operates in 17 local government areas. She called on the people of Asari-Toru to embrace the program. Read: The Tide

The Daily Champion reported November 24 that Economic Adviser to the President and Chief Executive of the National Planning Commission, Prof. Ode Ojowu, urged participants at the UNFPA mid-term review meeting to come up with recommendations that will improve the implementation of the population program.

The Guardian reported November 21 that UNFPA reviewed Nigeria's $40 million five-year program on population activities. UNFPA Country Representative Mr. Essan at the stakeholders mid-term Review (MTR) organized in collaboration with National Planning Commission, stressed the need to review the program taking critical look at constraints, strength, weakness and challenges ahead.

PAKISTAN: Women's Empowerment

Pakistan Newswire reported November 26 that the Advisor to Prime Minister on Women Development, Nilofar Bakhtiar, has observed that economic empowerment of women is the key that can help them in achieving their due status in society. She was speaking at the curtain raiser ceremony of Women's Expo to be held in Karachi from April 13-16, 2006. Sindh Women Development Minister Dr. Saeeda Malik and representatives from APWA, HUM TV, Oxford University Press, and UNFPA were present. /Business Recorder/ reported November 26 that at the Women's Expo, Adviser to Prime Minister on Women Development, Nilofer Bakhtiar, said the government would soon launch a project worth $4.3 million for the development of women of rural areas. Dr. Shahida Fazil, Assistant UNFPA Representative Jahan Ara Hai, Vice President All Pakistan Women Association, and Sultana Siddiqui, chairperson of a private TV channel, also spoke.

REPUBLIC OF CONGO: National Plan to End Maternal Mortality

IRIN reported November 22 that the government of the Republic of Congo, with the support of UN agencies, has put in place a national plan to curb maternal mortality. "On the behalf of the United Nations, we commit ourselves to support the technical team which will be set up to draft the national plan. We will give the team all the means so that the expected goals can be achieved very soon," Richard Dackam-Ngatchou, the country representative of UNFPA, said on Sunday, November 21 on national radio. Dackam-Ngatchou said UNFPA, in partnership with the government, the WHO and UNICEF had committed themselves to ending maternal mortality in the country. Read: IRIN

TANZANIA: Women with Dignity Devoted to Prevent and Manage Fistula

The Guardian reported November 26 that women suffering from fistula no longer need to worry about being isolated and rejected by their families thanks to the Women Dignity Project (WDP), an organization devoted to mobilize action for prevention and management of fistula. WDP grew out of Tanzania's first comprehensive fistula initiative that began in the mid 1990s at Bugando Hospital in Mwanza. To fulfill its obligations WDP has established links with the Ministry of Health, hospitals, research organizations, women's rights and development organizations and international agencies such as WHO, UNFPA and UNICEF. Read: The Guardian

TURKEY: Women Can Be Forced to Marry Rapist

The Scotsman (U.K.) reported November 22 that rape victims in Turkey can be forced by their own families to marry their rapists - or risk being killed in the name of family honor, according to a report by UNFPA. The report is the first in-depth study in Turkey of the different motives behind "honor killings," where women and young girls are murdered by their relatives for allegedly bringing shame on the family. "When a girl is raped by a man, since she is no longer a virgin, it is usually believed that the best way to solve the problem is to get them married, especially if the man is not already married," the report says. "If the man is already married and the raped girl is pregnant, this creates a more complicated situation and usually ends in the girl's murder." Read: The Scotsman

TURKEY: Girls' Education

Turkish Daily News reported November 28 that some 90 million girls are being excluded from primary schools around the world because of outdated stereotypes defining a female's place as in the home and social pressures for early marriage, said a UNICEF report on gender and education. The story noted that Anne-Birgitte Albrectsen, UNFPA representative for Turkey, in an interview with the Turkish Daily News last month, admitted the presence of successful campaigns and programs supported by the national media and that there is a strong governmental will in Turkey to address the issue of gender equality. Albrectsen, however, said at the time that it was time for Turkey to take the next step - a move that would render these early efforts much more significant

UGANDA: Medical Equipment Handed Over

New Vision reported November 28 that UNFPA donated medical equipment worth sh2.5m to Kapsarur Health Centre II. UNFPA Assistant Representative Henry Kalule handed over the equipment to the coordinator of the reproductive education and community health project, Beatrice Chelangat. Read: New Vision

VENEZUELA: Youth Discuss Reproductive Health and Violence Issues

Inter Press Service reported November 24 that UNFPA joined forces with Voces Nuevas to draw together a group of around 50 young people from Caracas to hear their opinions on issues related to the U.N. Millennium Development Goals including sexual and reproductive health, youth participation and violence. Jesos Robles, UNFPA representative in Venezuela, announced that the U.N. agency is planning to develop programs for 2006 aimed at raising awareness on human rights among the youngest sectors of the population. "This is a global policy," he added, "because practically half of the world's population, or around 3 billion people, are under the age of 25."

ZIMBABWE: Health Worker Complete Emergency Obstetric Training

The Herald reported November 27 that more than 100 health workers in Mashonaland Central Province have completed a training to treat emergency obstetric cases that claim lives of mothers and babies countrywide. The provincial reproductive health officer, Mr Godfrey Nhivativa, said the nation-wide training program, jointly organized by the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare and UNFPA, had helped improve data collection on maternal deaths in the area. Read: The Herald

VIETNAM: Each Woman Has an Average of 2.1 Children

Xinhua General News Service reported December 2 that each Vietnamese woman, has, on average, 2.1 children, compared with the figure of 2.7 in Southeast Asian countries, according to a survey by the country's General Statistics Office and UNFPA. The survey also showed that the percentage of people using modern contraceptive methods increased to 65.7 percent, helping to reduce abortion rates.

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