UNFPA IN THE NEWS—APRIL 29-MAY 5, 2006
BHUTAN: First Census Results Reported
Keunsel reported April 29 that at the launch of results from Bhutan 's first population and housing census it was reported that the Bhutanese population was 634,982 with 333,595 males and 301,387 females. The census commissioner, Dasho Sonam Tenzing, said the exercise was conducted along internationally acceptable scientific methods with UNFPA assistance. Read: Keunsel
BOLIVIA: Government Proposes Creation of Economic and Social Council
Red Bolivia reported May 4 that the Bolivia 's government proposed the creation of an Economic and Social Council with U.N. and E.U. funds to advance national development. Bolivia is already receiving U.N. support, namely technical and financial support from UNFPA to increase indigenous women's participation in Congress. Read: Red Bolivia
BOTSWANA: MTV Show Targets Youth
Mmegi reported May 3 that MTV revealed the final line-up for its ‘Uncensored' show, the lively 16-week series aiming to reach young Africans about HIV/AIDS and reproductive health issues . The show is produced in association with Staying Alive, UNFPA and Family Health International's YouthNet. Read: Mmegi
BRAZIL: Brazilians Wanted Worldwide
Veja News reported May 3 that the acceleration of aging populations has led some countries to introduce lax immigration laws to attract high-qualified workers from Brazil . According to UNFPA statistics, this demographic phenomenon affects industrialized countries, namely Italy, Germany, Japan and Canada . Read: Veja News
CANADA: Singer Gives Voice to Ailment
The Toronto Sun on May 5 ran an interview with singer Natalie Imbruglia, spokesperson for the UNFPA-led Campaign to End Fistula. "Governments should make it their responsibility to end this uneccessary suffering", said Ms. Imbruglia. She said she chose to aid the cause because the topic is taboo and the women suffering from fistula often feel ostracized.
CUBA: Oldest Population in the Region in 20 Years
La Crónica reported May 5 that according to UNFPA statistics, one fourth of the Cuban population will surpass 60 in 2025. Read: La Crónica
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Agreement Signed to Advance Development
Diario Digital and El Nuevo Diario reported April 29 that the National Population and Family Council of the Dominican Republic and UNFPA signed a $134,600 agreement for a program that will last until May 2007. The agreement marks the start of a program on strengthening population and development work in the Dominican Republic . Read: Diario Digital, El Nuevo Diario
FIJI: Men Attend Reproductive Health Training
Fiji Times reported May 3 that male participants from trade unions attended a training to learn about reproductive health. "The purpose is to create awareness in men's role in reproductive health," ILO director for the South Pacific, Dr. A. M. Zakaria said. “The three other areas are family planning, gender equality and HIV/AIDS with particular reference to the workplace." The training was run by the UNFPA and ILO. Read: Fiji Times
INDIA: Male Family Planning Program
Central Chronicle reported May 3 that male family planning methods, including no-scalpel vasectomy, have gained popularity in Madhya Pradesh. UNFPA State Convener, Dayakrishna Mangal, said UNFPA has started a project in five districts – Satna, Rewa, Sidhi, Panna and Chhattarpur – with positive results reported. Read: Central Chronicle
INDONESIA: Kartini Day Observed
The Jakarta Post reported April 29 on Indonesia 's observance of Kartini Day, a tribute to Raden Ajeng Kartini who fought for gender equality, but died after giving birth to her first child in 1904. The story noted that the nation's high number of maternal deaths remains a top health concern in Indonesia that logs one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the region. The story cited an effort by the WHO in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, UNICEF and UNFPA to raise public awareness of the problem.
NIGERIA: Government Criticized for Mismanagement of Population Issues
This Day reported April 29 that at a media workshop by the News Agency of Nigeria and UNFPA on population and gender , traditional ruler and Chairman of Cobham Town Combined Council, Calabar, Etubom Bassey Ekpo Bassey criticized the federal government for improper management of population issues. According Bassey, all efforts to carry out proper counting of Nigerians since 1962 have been generally aborted, including the 2006 census which was a sham. He blamed the government for not doing enough to elevate the status of about 80 percent of Nigerians who live below poverty level. Read: This Day
PHILIPPINES: First International Conference on Reproductive Health Management
BusinessWorld reported May 4 that at the First International Conference on Reproductive Health Management, UNFPA Country Representative Zahidul Huque criticized the Philippine government for practicing double standards in promoting only natural methods of contraception. Huque said, "The government may be protected legally because there is no documented policy for family planning which the civil society can use as reference for any complaint." He added that the government's stance does not help in achieving economic development. "To achieve development the government must promote a very good reproductive health program," he said. Read: Manila Standard, Manila Times
QATAR: More Women's Participation Needed in Private Sector
Gulf Times reported May 2 that at a recent workshop by Qatar 's Population Permanent Committee Technical Office and UNFPA, women's limited participation in the private sector and a lack of balance in its composition were mentioned among the major challenges faced in carrying out the national population policy. Read: Gulf Times
RWANDA: Proposal to Restructure Population Accepted
The New Times reported May 3 that at the national seminar to disseminate results from Rwanda 's 3 rd general consensus of population and census, the cabinet accepted a proposal by UNFPA to restructure the Rwandan population. Read: The New Times
SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: Deep Concern for 85 Percent Shortfall of Emergency Aid
UN News Centre reported May 3 that the U.N. is voicing deep concern at an 85 percent shortfall of the $92 million sought in the emergency appeal for sub-Saharan Africa where severe malnutrition is threatening 1.5 million children under five. The U.N. appeal covers programs to be implemented by seven UN agencies: FAO, OCHA, UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA , WFP and WHO, along with the non-governmental organization Afrique verte. Read: UN News Centre
SUDAN: Training Program of All U.N. Agencies
Xinhua General News Service reported April 29 that the African Union Mission in Sudan said the U.N. launched a training program to train a 7,300-strong African peacekeeping force in Darfur . The story noted that UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, as well as the U.N. Mission in Sudan will take part in the program. The program, organized and coordinated by UNDP, includes training courses on international human rights and humanitarian law, measures on building confidence between local communities and guiding principles to treat internally displaced persons. "This is the first time that all the U.N. agencies in Sudan are brought together to carry out a single task," said an official with UNDP.
UNITED STATES: “How the Pro-Choice Movement Saved America ”
The Sun-Sentinel ran an April 30 book review on Cristina Page's new book, “How the Pro-Choice Movement Saved America: Freedom, Politics, and the War on Sex.” The reviewer noted that perhaps the most unsettling example is the false accusation of the small Virginian Pro-Life Caucus in 2002 that triggered the Bush administration to freeze all U.S. funding to UNFPA . "According to one calculation," Page writes, "the loss of the $34 million adds 4,700 maternal deaths and 77,000 infant and child deaths each year to the world's toll of suffering. It also results in about 800,000 abortions each year, most illegal and unsafe."
VIETNAM: Fertility Rate to Continue to Decline
Vietnam News Service reported May 5 that a UNFPA report revealed that the country's fertility rate would continue to decline. The report, the second published by UNFPA's country office, confirmed the country's fertility rate at 2.11 children per woman. Read: Vietnam News Service
ZIMBABWE: UNFPA Donates Computers
NewsNet reported May 3 that the ministry of women's affairs received computers and other equipment from UNFPA for the ministry's gender-based violence program. Read: NewsNet
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