| UNFPA IN THE NEWS – OCTOBER 22-NOVEMBER 4, 2005
STATE OF WORLD POPULATION COVERAGE CONTINUED
The Lancet (U.K.) October 29 editorial on the SWOP report concluded: "While most efforts to resolve inequalities encourage states to redistribute resources and implement policies that promote equality for women, eliminating the causes of discrimination will require policies that tackle the power gap between men and women in each household. Decisions about education, health, nutrition, child-bearing, and money are made within the family. It is this dynamic that policymakers must understand and influence if the fundamental gender inequalities are to be addressed." Read: The Lancet
Czech Republic: The Prague Post (Czech Republic) ran an October 26 op ed by Cesar Chelala, an international public health consultant, who wrote: "According to the State of World Population Report 2005 by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), gender inequality hinders not only the growth of affected individuals but also the evolution of societies and the development of countries. The findings of the UNFPA report are pertinent to the situation of women in the Czech Republic. Although progress has been made in recent times, there are still areas that need further improvement, among them those related to access to quality jobs and violence against women." Read: Prague Post
Guinea: L'Espoir ran an October 25 story on the State of World Population report, quoting UNFPA country representative Ivan Hermans who said that investments in women and youth are neccessary to accelerate the progress towards the MDGs, calling for an end to discrimination of women and girls.
India: The Times of India ran an October 22 editorial that noted: "We always thought so. But now we have concrete evidence of it. UNFPA's 2005 report on the state of world population says that panchayats in India have become more responsive to demands of healthcare and housing since women entered their ranks." The editorial concluded: "If the total number of seats in Parliament is increased by 50% and the new seats given to women, it would keep everybody happy. The net result would be 270-odd women in a House of 810, exactly 33%. The increased burden it would put on the exchequer is a small price to pay for progressive legislation, gender-sensitive policies and a cleaner body politic." Read: Times of India
Kenya: Kenya Times ran a November 4 column by Vincent Musumba that mentioned the SWOP report by saying, "The World Population report decries enormous investments in hospitals with less in prevention, a trend that has left basic health care out of reach and out of touch with urgent needs of the poor." Musumba concluded: "Among the solutions to counter the inequitable ratio is reforming laws and policies to devolve authority to midwives and nurses whenever medically safe and feasible. Community health workers should also be trained in order to make valuable information and services available at local levels. To achieve this, developing countries need to provide better incentives, training and recruitment and substantial investment in skilled managers." Read: Kenya Times
Malawi: The Chronicle Newspaper (Malawi) reported October 28 that at the Malawi release of the SWOP report, UNFPA Resident Representative Esparance Fundira said, "Worldwide, the face of HIV/AIDS is increasingly female and increasingly young." Fundira said: "The time has come, we have the means; we have the stated commitment. Now we need action. Today, we have an opportunity to fulfill the promises made more than half a century ago and reaffirmed throughout the 1990s-in Cairo at the International Conference on Population and Development, in Beijing at the Fourth World Conference on Women, in 2000 with the signing of the Millennium declaration and just last month at the world summit." Read: The Chronicle Newspaper
Nepal: Xinhua General News Service reported October 22 that at the Nepal release of the SWOP report, Junko Sazaki, UNFPA representative in Nepal, said, "Nepal's population has reached 27.1 million, and Nepal will have as many as over 51 million people by 2050." She added that the number of girl students enrolled in primary schools in Nepal has increased over the past years by noting, "The women literacy in Nepal was 26 percent in 1991 while it is 60 percent now." The Nepali Times also reported on this story on October 22. Read: The Nepali Times
Uganda: The Daily Monitor (Uganda) reported November 4 that UNFPA Representative in Uganda Aisha Camara said most of the countries that signed the human rights declarations have not implemented it. Camara said women in many countries are still suffering from gender inequality. Speaking at the launch of the State of the World Population report, Camara said gender based violence is too high. Read: Daily Monitor
Yemen: Yemen Observer reported October 27 that the Yemen release of the SWOP report, UNFPA Representative Hans Obdeijn said: "We will not make poverty history until we make gender discrimination history. We cannot make poverty history until we stop violence against women and girls. We cannot make poverty history until women enjoy their full social, cultural, economic and political rights." Read: Yemen Observer
60th U.N. ANNIVERSARY OF UNITED NATIONS CELEBRATED WORLDWIDE
India: United News of India reported October 24 that at the 60th anniversary of the United Nations in India, President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam urged the world body to take up issues such as development of renewable sources of energy and women's education. The delegation, headed by U.N. Resident Coordinator Maxine Olson, included country representatives from UNESCO, ILO, UNHCR, UNDP, WHO, U.N. Industrial Development Organization, WFP, U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime and UNFPA. Read: United News of India
Iran: An October 24 story by IRNA (Iran News Agency) reported that while marking the 60th Anniversary of the United Nations in the quake-stricken city of Bam, U.N. Resident Coordinator Mubashar Sheikh said that UNDP, WHO, UNFPA and UNAIDS have been working with a range of non-government and government officials in Iran to respond to the threat of HIV/AIDS. Read: IRNA
Sarajevo: FENA (Sarajevo) reported October 24 that at the 60th anniversary of the United Nations, awards were presented to the winners of the competition for best photos and TV ads on the Millennium Development Goals. Representatives of several U.N. agencies attending the ceremony included: Zeljka Mudrovcic from UNFPA, Regina Boucault from IOM, James Lynch from UNHCR and Nicola Tiezzi from UNV. Read: FENA
Tajikistan: IRIN reported October 24 that at anniversary commemorations in Tajikistan, a photo exhibit was displayed to highlight activities by UNHCR, UNDP, UNTOP, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNAIDS, ILO and IOM. Read: IRIN
United States: The Journal News (U.S.) ran an October 24 op ed by Jeanne Betsock Stillman, secretary of the United Nations Association of the USA, Westchester Chapter, who wrote: "Today we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the United Nations. Communities and schools throughout the United States, including those in Westchester, will join in with proclamations, special programs and teaching about the United Nations and its goals and aims." She mentioned, "The U.N. and its agencies have a vital role. Since 1945, the U.N. has assisted in negotiating more than 170 peace settlements that have ended regional conflicts. It works as a coordinating organization for tsunami relief and reconstruction." Betsock Stillman added, "UNFPA protects women's reproductive rights and maternal health and UNIFEM fosters women's empowerment and gender equity."
REPORT ON 'BRAIN DRAIN' IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Calgary Herald (Canada) reported October 30 that according to a report by UNFPA, the loss of health-care workers from the Third World has reached crisis proportions. "Poor countries, many of which have the lowest numbers of health-care workers but the highest infectious disease burden, are subsidizing the health-care systems of wealthier countries," the report said.
AFRICA: UNFPA Urges Government Commitment to End Fistula
UN News Centre reported October 27 that a four-day workshop on ending fistula closed with a call to African governments to ensure women's access to reproductive and maternal health services, as well as free or subsidized delivery care and caesarean sections. Director of UNFPA's Africa Division Fama Hane-Ba, commended the participants for their work, including the drafting of an African regional strategy for the elimination of fistula, which she described as a milestone in efforts to rid women of the scourge. She also pledged UNFPA's full support to governments, NGOs and civil society for the prevention and treatment of the affliction. Read: UN News Centre
UN News Centre reported October 25 that foreign aid to Africa should be directed in part to helping women suffering the after-effects of prolonged or severely obstructed labor, UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Obaid said at a gathering in Johannesburg convened to address the condition, which is known as obstetric fistula and affects more than 2 million mothers worldwide. Obaid said, "We must ensure that some of the additional resources being devoted in Africa through official development assistance are targeted at safe motherhood, including fistula." Read: UN News Centre
ASIA: Findings Indicate Male Prevalence Rate Due to Hepatitis B
Los Angeles Times (U.S.) reported November 1 that in the Journal of Political Economy, Harvard economist Emily Oster contends that the gender disparity in some parts of Asia is linked to the prevalence of the hepatitis B virus. Siri Tellier, UNFPA representative in China, pointed to two factors that undercut the findings: In Tibet, where hepatitis B is widespread, the birthrate of males is relatively low. And in China, the gender ratio among firstborns is close to normal, but the gap widens for subsequent children. Tellier says the girl-boy ratio for second births is 100 to 152. "This makes it very unlikely that the sex ratio is caused by hepatitis B - otherwise why would it go up by birth order?" Tellier said. "I'm not saying it's impossible, but you definitely need further discussion on this before you decide that's the final causal mechanism." Read: Los Angeles Times
BELIZE: Beauty Salon Offers HIV/AIDS Education
Channel5Belize.com (Belize) reported October 26 that the Young Women's Christian Association officially opened its latest program to the public, a beauty salon, where besides getting pampered, women receive HIV/AIDS education. The project is funded by the Ministry of Health, the OPEC fund, and UNFPA as part of its initiative, "HIV and AIDS Prevention for Youth in Especially Difficult Circumstances." Read: Channel5Belize.com
CHINA: Developed Countries Urged to Fulfill ICPD Commitments
China Daily reported October 27 that at a three-day International Symposium on Official Development Assistance (ODA) for Population and Development in China, senior officials from China's population affairs division and UNFPA urged developed countries to fulfill their commitments of contributing ODA to narrow the gap between rich and poor countries. The seminar was held to review the progress and challenges in the field of ODA for population and development since the 1994 ICPD, and the U.N. Millennium Summit in 2000, said Zhang Weiqing, minister of the National Population and Family Planning Commission of China. Xinhua General News Service reported October 26 that at the symposium, Imelda Henkin, deputy executive director of UNFPA, urged governments to devote more efforts to offering reproductive health services to all people, noting that the pace of change is slow. Henkin said that poverty is intimately linked with a lack of access to family planning and reproductive health as the world population predicted to reach 9.1 billion in 2050 from the present 6.5 billion depends on whether people will continue to have the means to decide when and how often to have children. Read: Xinhua General News Service: Oct. 26a, Oct. 26b
CUBA: U.N. Calls on U.S. to End Blockade
Prensa Latina (Cuba) reported October 24 that the continuing U.S. blockade against Cuba reaches so far as preventing various UN agencies to collaborate with Cuba. The report notes that the WHO and UNFPA are blocked from buying equipment, medicines and laboratory materials produced by U.S. firms if they are for Cuba." Read: Prensa Latina
GHANA: Harmonization among Stakeholders in Health Sector Encouraged
Ghana News Agency reported October 31 that at a meeting to agree on a draft Ghana Health Sector Program of Work (POW), Major Courage Quashigah, Minister of Health, called for better harmonization among stakeholders in the health sector. POW partners include Danish International Development Agency, British Department for International Development, European Commission, the Netherlands, UNICEF, UNFPA, USAID, WHO, Japan International Corporation Agency and the World Bank. Read: Ghana News Agency
GHANA: Stakeholders Meet to Improve Maternal Health Care
Ghana News Agency reported October 23 that stakeholders met to provide input into the Ghana government and UNFPA Fifth Country Program geared towards improving maternal health care. Makane Kane, UNFPA Representative in Ghana, said strategies and activities should reflect the conditions of the region and not duplication of that of any other region. He also said traditional birth attendants remain vital to maternal health care. Read: Ghana News Agency
INDIA: Saving the Girl Child
The Hindustan Times (India) reported October 30 that saving the girl child from being killed in the womb was the theme of the ongoing HT Pace theatre festival. Students from various schools participated at the festival supported by UNFPA. UNFPA Program Officer Dhanshree Brhame said that the biggest challenge was to break the stereotype and commended the performances.
LATIN AMERICA: Conference on Gender Equality
The Herald/El Universal (Mexico) reported October 27 that at a three-day conference organized by UNFPA, the Regional Project on Gender Budgets in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the German Technical Cooperation on gender equality, reconciling work and family obligations, child care and reproductive health across Latin America, Patricia Espinosa, director of Inmujeres, said, "We need to work to improve the lives of both women and men in the family unit the sustenance of our society through shared responsibilities in domestic duties." Read: The Herald/El Universal
LATIN AMERICA: Abortion Rights and Religion and Tradition
Los Angeles Times (U.S.) reported October 26 that a battle being fought throughout Latin America, where religion and tradition have long made abortion a largely taboo subject and a mostly outlawed practice. The story noted that according to UNFPA, about 4 million clandestine abortions are performed in Latin America every year, some of them poorly, ending in injury or death to the mother. Botched abortions rank among the leading causes of maternal mortality in several countries in the region, including Brazil. Read: Los Angeles Times
LATIN AMERICA: Free Trade of the Americas Does Not Solve Poverty
Newsweek ran a November 4 web exclusive op ed by María Cristina Caballero, a fellow at Harvard University's Center for Public Leadership at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, on George Bush's trip to the Summit of the Americas that mentioned: "The United Nations Population Fund says that some 222 million people (43 percent of the region) are poor in Latin America and the Caribbean, with 96 million (18 percent) living in extreme poverty." She noted, "To insist in FTA (Free Trade of the Americas proposal) as 'the best way to lift people out of poverty,' as Bush states, is going to be a very hard sell--if not a boomerang. A number of countries--including Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and, of course, Venezuela--are leftist and have openly questioned the validity of the free-market policies in the region." Read: Newsweek
LEBANON: Strategy Launched to Meet ICPD Goals
The Daily Star (Lebanon) reported November 2 that Lebanon's Social Affairs Ministry and UNFPA launched a population strategy to meet the ICPD goals. United Nations Resident Coordinator in Lebanon Dr. Mona Hammam said the joint project aimed at supporting all ministries, NGOs and universities that deal with population issues. She added that Lebanon was "one of the first countries to adopt those goals through the joint projects between the UN Population Fund and the Lebanese government." Read: Daily Star
LIBERIA: Female Condoms Available
The Analyst (Liberia) November 1 story on female condoms noted that more information and samples of the female condom can be obtained from the manufacturer: The Female Health Company (FHC), Website: www.femalehealth.org, or contact the UNFPA office in Liberia, or The Analyst newspaper. Read: The Analyst
MADAGASCAR: President in Support of Family Planning
L'Express reported November 1 that UNFPA has supported Madagascar with Reproductive Health supplies. The story mentioned that the President of the country, Marc Ravalomanana, spoke at the UN General Assembly of his country's commitment to provide access family planning.
NIGER: Program Announced to Help Pregnant Women
UN News Centre reported October 31 that UNFPA announced a new program to help pregnant and nursing women in drought-stricken Niger with food and anti-malarial supplies, as well as safe child delivery services. Read: UN News Centre
PAKISTAN: Pregnant Women at Risk after Earthquake
The Associated Press reported October 25 that the U.N. estimates 40,000 pregnant women were among the 4 million people affected by South Asia's Oct. 8 earthquake. "The primary health care system is all broken down," said Shahida Fazil of UNFPA. "Even before, it was a very fragile system and accessibility was a problem. Now, there is nothing." Many pregnant women suffered massive injuries in the quake, said Dr. Qais Mahmood, provincial program officer for UNFPA, which has four mobile medical teams in the quake zone. "The first issue is that women are coming for care not because of pregnancy-related issues but because they have other injuries. The biggest challenge we have is that we see ladies coming in with multiple fractures. Then (during examination) we find out about intrauterine deaths," he said. Read: Associated Press
Pakistan Newswire reported October 22 that according to UNFPA, even in the best of circumstances, some 15 percent of pregnant women also require emergency obstetric care to avoid maternal and infant deaths. The story noted that UNFPA is concerned that the physical and psychological trauma caused by Saturday's devastating quake could push this figure even higher. It has issued an appeal for $3.2 million to meet the urgent needs of an estimated 40,000 pregnant women, which includes $2.2 million for immediate maternal health and emergency obstetric care needs, and $1 million for emergency hygiene supplies. On October 23, Pak Tribune and Pakistan Times reported on this story. Read: Pak Tribune, Pakistan Times
The Gulf Times (Qatar) reported October 24 that according to an initial assessment report of the UNFPA, the health of pregnant women is a major concern in the ongoing crisis. Pregnant survivors are anemic, malnourished and especially susceptible to infections and diseases. The story also noted that many inter-uterine deaths and miscarriages have been reported. UNFPA says it has sent a new shipment of emergency reproductive health equipment and supplies to Muzaffarabad and Mansehra. These include 20,000 individual kits for clean home deliveries, to be given to women who are six months pregnant, and kits for 10,000 clinical deliveries by doctors and trained midwives. Read: Gulf Times
On October 27, The Nation (Pakistan) reported: "Immediate action is being taken in collaboration with WHO, UNICEF and UNFPA to restore completely destroyed and dilapidated Rural Health Centers and Basic Health Unites in the quake-stricken areas. The News (Pakistan) also covered this story on October 27.
PHILIPPINES: Media Awards on Population and Development Coverage
Sun Star (Philippines) reported October 23 that Philippine Legislators' Committee on Population and Development, Inc. in collaboration with UNFPA has launched the nationwide First Annual Population and Development Media Awards in the Philippines. The awards aim to recognize exemplary investigative reporting that supports family planning programs in the Philippines. The competition is open to all print journalists nationwide. Read: Sun Star
SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: Study on Physician Emigration
An October 27 story on physician emigration by Allafrica.com mentioned that a September report by UNFPA and a meeting this month organized by the WHO and the World Bank also focused on the health professional brain drain. WHO plans to publish a strategic action plan to secure human resources for health care. Read: AllAfrica.com
SUDAN: Displaced Women from Civil War Sell Tea
An October 25 story by IRIN reported on displaced Sudanese women who sell tea in the doorways of local shops, behind buildings and under trees. The punishment of selling tea without a permit is a 5,000-dinar fine or 15-30 days in jail. For many women the only option is to run from the law. In the busy streets of Khartoum, the public order agencies in coordination with the social welfare department in the Ministry of Social Planning have taken to what is known as kasha, or campaigns that involve gathering tea sellers in groups once a month and taking them to prison. Roselidah Ondeko, team leader for gender-based violence of UNFPA, explained that this was because of the negative reputation that tea sellers have throughout Africa for being associated with commercial sex workers. Read: IRIN
TURKEY: Report on Honor Killing
Turkish Daily News reported October 29 that UNFPA, UNDP and the Institute of Population Studies from Ankara's Hacettepe University are preparing to release a report on honor killings in Turkey. Anne Birgette-Albrectsen, UNFPA's representative for Turkey, said the report, which will most likely be presented to Parliament's committee investigating honor killings, would contain a comprehensive set of recommendations for how to involve all parts of Turkish society in addressing the issue. Read: Turkish Daily News
UGANDA: Internally Displaced Persons Situations Worse
The Daily Monitor (Uganda) reported October 31 that a study by the Fafo Institute for Applied International Studies in Oslo, Norway, through assistance from UNDP revealed the situation of IDPs in northern Uganda camps is extremely bad. The study comes just three months after a Health and Mortality survey conducted by UNICEF, WHO, WFP, UNFPA, the International Rescue Committee and the DFID during the months of January to July 2005 among IDP populations in the three districts. The survey revealed that up to 1,000 people die weekly from disease and hunger in the IDP camps. Read: Daily Monitor
UNITED STATES AND NIGER: A Columnist's Wish for Bush to See Women Affected and Saved by Fistula
The New York Times October 24 column by Nicholas Kristof opened with: "When I walked into the maternity hospital here, I wished that President George W. Bush were with me. A 37-year-old woman was lying on a stretcher, groaning from labor pains and wracked by convulsions." Dr. Obende Kayode, an obstetrician explained that before any surgery can begin, the patient or family members must pay $42 for a surgical kit with bandages, surgical thread and antibiotics. Kristof noted: "In this case, the woman a mother of six named Ramatou Issoufou was lucky. Her husband was able to round up the sum quickly, without having to sell any goats. Moreover, this maternity hospital had been equipped by the U.N. Population Fund and that's why I wished Bush were with me. Last month, Bush again withheld all U.S. funds from the U.N. Population Fund." Kristof continued: "After removing the placenta, Kayode stitched up Issoufou. Her convulsions passed, and it was clear that she and the baby would survive. For all the criticism heaped on the United Nations, these were two more lives saved by the U.N. Population Fund no thanks to the Bush administration." Kristof concluded: "Somewhere in the world, a pregnant woman dies like that about once a minute, often leaving a handful of orphans behind. Call me naive, but I think that if Bush came here and saw women dying as a consequence of his confused policy, he would relent. This can't be what he wants or what America stands for." Read: The New York Times
UNITED STATES AND KENYA: Kakenya Ntaiya Speaking Engagements
Virginian-Pilot (U.S.) featured an October 30 story on Kenyan Kakenya Ntaiya, UNFPA youth adviser, who spoke at Old Dominion University's Women's Forum and the ODU Women's Studies Department. Ntaiya said, "If I don't do anything in my own village, what good am I for?" She said she will someday build the young girls of her tribe a boarding school where they will be safe from unwanted sex, where they will be allowed to blossom and where she can work to preserve the valuable aspects of her culture while ending its horrors, such as female circumcision.
The Capital (U.S.) reported October 29 that Kakenya Ntaiya, youth adviser for UNFPA, discussed saving women's lives at celebrations marking the 60^th anniversary of the United Nations.
UNITED STATES: Column Supports Continued Funding for Programs that Work
Ottawa Citizen (Canada) ran a November 3 column by Kate Heartfield who wrote: "Politics can prop up deadwood; it can also cut at the roots of good programs. That is the situation with the United Nations Population Fund. The Bush administration has refused funding, saying the program promotes abortion (the program says it does not). This dispute is getting in the way of efforts to help women plan their families and stay alive and healthy through childbirth." She concluded: "I'd like Paul Martin to be as ready as Mr. Bush to withdraw development funding - but for the right reasons. Cut off funding, not to appease interest groups that disapprove of a practical approach to reproductive health but to kill programs that don't work. Commit to funding the good programs at a sufficient and stable level for an adequate and defined period."
VIETNAM: Migrant Economic Situation Improves
Vietnam News Agency reported November 1 that employment and incomes of migrants in Vietnam have been improved considerably following their migration, according to a survey released in Hanoi on November 1. The survey, which was conducted in 11 provinces and cities nationwide by Vietnam's General Statistics Office and UNFPA, shows that more than three-fourths of the migrants surveyed said they had enjoyed better employment and incomes in their new residential places.
YEMEN: Education Minister Calls for Population Issues to Be Included in Curricula
Yemen Times reported October 27 that at a UNFPA-organized workshop on poverty alleviation strategy and population issues, Minister of Education Dr. Abdulsalam al-Jawfi stressed the significance of merging population concepts and terminology with curricula of general education. Read: Yemen Times
ZAMBIA: HIV/AIDS Prevention Program
The Times of Zambia reported November 1 that this year, UNFPA has spent more than $600,000 on HIV/AIDS prevention activities in an effort to assist the Zambian government curb the pandemic. UNFPA country representative, Deji Popoola said that because of the rising impact of HIV/AIDS on the economic and social sectors, $659,798 had been spent and another $100,000 will be added before the end of the year. Popoola said the 16 percent HIV/AIDS prevalence in Zambia had resulted in pressure to prevent the remaining 84 percent from contracting the pandemic. He said although the UNFPA had provided 47 million male condoms worth $3 million and 65,000 female condoms, the usage, at 38 per cent, was too low compared to other countries. He said the UNFPA's HIV/AIDS prevention efforts were focused more on women and young people who were more vulnerable because of their low social-economic status. Read: Times of Zambia, Zana, IRIN
Xinhua General News Service reported November 2 that in Zambia, pregnancy related complications claimed the lives of 729 in every 100,000 women who gave birth, said Deji Popoola, country representative of UNFPA, adding that 30 to 40 percent of the deaths were due to HIV/AIDS related illness. He said mother-to-child transmission of HIV during pregnancy, labor, delivery and breast feeding remained a major public health concern. "An estimated 65 percent of prenatal HIV infections occur late in pregnancy during labor and delivery," Popoola said. Read: Xinhua General News Service
Xinhua General News Service reported November 1 that Popoola said 38 percent of condom use in Zambia was quite low compared with other countries. Promotion of condoms is a deliberate effort to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS in a country where 16 percent of its 1.1 million population is affected with the disease. Unsafe sex is regarded as a main cause of the pandemic.
 Back to top
|
