UNFPA IN THE NEWS—APRIL 22-28, 2006
WORLD-CHECK TO SCREEN PROSPECITVE CONTRACTORS
UN News Centre reported April 25 that the U.N. is now better able to screen prospective contractors for any involvement in criminal activity with the donated assistance of World-Check, the world's leading researcher of such information. Agencies that will use World Check's services include UNDP, UNFPA, WFP and OCHA. Read: UN News Centre
U.N. REFORM
The Norwegian daily, Dagbladet, ran an April 28 op ed by Torild Skard, researcher at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs. Skard wrote that if U.N. reforms merge U.N. agencies such as UNAIDS, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNIFEM and UNCTAD into larger units, weak and marginalised groups (children, women, poor countries) risk losing both a voice and means of action. Skard proposed: “Instead of taking an organisational chart and starting to merge boxes, a U.N. reform should take as the point of departure the objectives that are to be achieved and the tasks that need to be solved. Using the Millennium Goals as the basis, it becomes imperative to strengthen the role of the U.N. system in areas such as macroeconomic policies and environment and to promote the interests of poor countries, women and children in a better way. This may mean that the reforms among others must entail a strengthening of UNICEF, UNFPA and UNCTAD and the creation of a full-fledged multilateral agency for women.”
BANGLADESH: Fertility Success Overshadowed by Maternal Mortality Rate
The Financial Express reported April 27 that despite positive changes in Bangladesh's total fertility rate, a survey titled "National Communication Strategy for Family Planning and Reproductive Health: A Roadmap for Improving the Reproductive Health Status in Bangladesh " found that about 12,000 women die annually due to pregnancy related complications. The survey was jointly conducted by UNFPA and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Read: Financial Express
BRAZIL: Chasing the Dream Opens with a Debate on the Future of Young People
Correio Braziliense, Universia, Universidade de Brasília , all reported April 25 on the opening of “Chasing the Dream,” a photo exhibit portraying young people from different parts of the world and the challenges they face in fighting for their dreams to live better lives. The exhibit, which is in part organized by UNFPA, is expected to receive more than 3,000 visitors and mark the opening of a debate on MDGs and young people. Read: Correio Braziliense, Universia, Universidade de Brasília
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Agreement Signed
Dominican Today reported April 23 that the Dominican government signed a five-year, $100 million agreement with various U.N. agencies including UNICEF/PAHO, FAO, OIT, OIM, UNFPA, ONUSIDA and PMA. Read: Dominican Today
MALAWI: Group Calls for More Special Services for Sex Workers
The Chronicle Newspaper reported April 27 that the Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM) called on other non-governmental organizations, especially those involved with HIV/AIDS awareness, to provide special programs for commercial sex workers. The story noted that FPAM is funded by the International Planned Parenthood Federation and UNFPA. Read: The Chronicle Newspaper
MONGOLIA: Assisting Unregistered Migrants
Daily News, Today News and Century News reported April 22 on the launch of a programme of assistance to unregistered migrants who became increasingly vulnerable as a result of natural disasters in 2000-2002 that killed millions of livestock and caused food shortage. The project, totalling close to $1 milion, is financed by the Trust Fund for Human Security and aims at assisting the unregistered migrants through better access to basic social services including health and education.
NEPAL: Conflict a “Nightmare” for Pregnant Women
IRIN reported April 26 that in Nepal , a country crippled by the longstanding Maoist insurgency to overthrow the state, many women continue to die in childbirth, deaths that could have been prevented. Junko Sazaki, UNFPA country representative in Nepal , spoke on the importance of reproductive health in conflict areas. “Unfortunately, in times of war, women's health, and more specifically, women's reproductive health is overlooked,” said Sazaki in Kathmandu . “Pregnancy and childbirth is increasingly becoming a nightmare for many women due to the disruption of health services,” Sazaki explained, particularly in rural areas of Nepal where the vast majority of the country's 28 million inhabitants live. Read: IRIN
NIGERIA: Chief Fasehun Calls for Census Results to Be Invalidated
This Day reported April 24 that at a news briefing, the Founder and President of Oodua Peoples Congress, Chief Frederick Fasehun, described the 2006 Census as “highly politicized,” calling for the results to be invalidated. Fasehun said, "The way out will be for the country to mandate a neutral body such as the United Nations Population Fund or some other U.N. agency to carry out an objective recording of Nigeria 's demographic data.” Read: This Day
PAKISTAN: Health Workers Relocated to Help with Earthquake Refugee Transition
Pak Tribune reported April 28 that the United Nations and the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority are planning to temporarily relocate senior health workers to the affected areas to ensure continuity of health services. U.N. Resident Coordinator Jan Vandemoortele said, “Relief operation is coming to an end and we have to make sure that the transition phase is managed properly and now that the people are returning to their places of origin, there are BHUs that are being set up — over 150 are in the process with the support of WHO, UNICEF and UNFPA.” Read: Pak Tribune
QATAR: Conference to Review Population Policy
The Peninsula reported April 26 that representatives from the national and GCC General Secretariat, Arab, UNFPA, Arab League and Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia participated in “The National Workshop to Study Background Papers of the Population Policy in the State of Qatar.” Read: The Peninsula, Gulf Times
RUSSIA: Legislation Restricting NGO Operations
St. Petersburg Times reported April 25 on recent Russian legislation that could restrict the work of non-governmental organizations in Russia . Concerns about future developments have been expressed by various institutions. The story noted that a significant proportion of NGO financing comes from grants and donations from abroad such as UNICEF, UNDP, Ford Foundation, UNFPA, Elton John AIDS foundation, and Open Society Institute. While the organizations said the government has not yet given any specific instructions on the interpretation, they added that their work is important for Russian society and that without foreign financial support their existence will be jeopardized. Read: St. Petersburg Times
RWANDA: Population and Poverty Reduction Strategies
RNA News reported 26 April that the Ministry of Finances and UNFPA jointly had organized a seminar on how to integrate population concerns in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) for the country. Among population issues addressed were reproductive health, gender equality and HIV prevention.
UGANDA: Evaluation on Development Initiatives “Below Expectations”
The Monitor reported April 26 that the production, collection and compilation of various development initiatives in Uganda are still below expectations according to a survey done by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics. Top donors for processing the statistics were the World Bank, NRODIC development fund, DIFD, NORAD, DANIDA, UNDP UNICEF and UNFPA.
UZBEKISTAN: French-Funded Pilot Project on Cervical Cancer
UzReport.com reported April 25 that the Embassy of France in Uzbekistan started planning a pilot project on cervical cancer in Ferghana valley to protect women's health. According to the information provided by the Ministry of Healthcare of Uzbekistan , the cancer of the cervix of uterus is an urgent issue in Uzbekistan . Currently, on average, 44 women out of 100,000 have this disease. The project will be conducted in partnership with the Women's Health Center of Tashkent and UNFPA. Read: UzReport.com
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