UNFPA IN THE NEWS — DECEMBER 11-31, 2006

THE WORK AHEAD FOR THE INCOMING U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL

The East African ran a December 18 op ed by L. Muthoni Wanyeki, a political scientist based in Nairobi, on the U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan's legacy and work left for his successor to reform the United Nations. Wanyeki noted one remaining issue is the creation of a new U.N. agency for women that will report to a joint board composed of the UNDP, UNFPA and UNICEF. Read: East African

The New York Sun reported December 18 the incoming Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will be charged with selling to the public the plan to refurbish the U.N. campus. The story also mentioned that prospective candidates for Deputy Secretary-General include a Saudi woman, Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, and a former Jordanian deputy prime minister, Rima Khalaf. Read: New York Sun, CanWest News Service

UNFPA HEAD LEADS LIST FOR DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL

The New York Sun reported December 15 that on the day Ban Ki-moon was sworn in as the new U.N. secretary-general, speculation surrounded the nomination of his deputy secretary-general. The story noted, “Until recently, insiders said the top candidate on Mr. Ban's short list to replace Mr. Malloch Brown was the U.N. Population Fund chief, Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, a Saudi national educated mostly in America, where she has lived since the 1960s. Read: New York Sun

The Times’ December 15 also reported that Obaid is on the list of potentials for the U.N. second-in-command post. "I am looking at several names with a preference for women candidates," said Ban. "I will make a choice in due course." Among those up for consideration were Rima Khalaf, a former Deputy Prime Minister of Jordan, Fayza Abulnaga, Egypt's Minister for International Cooperation, and Thoraya Obaid, a Saudi woman who heads UNFPA. The story noted: “One Western diplomat said yesterday that Mrs. Obaid was ‘by far the most likely’ of the names being discussed -even though the United States does not fund her U.N. agency because of a row over abortion. However, a UN source said it was a ‘done deal’ that Ms. Khalaf would win the job.” Read: The Times, Women’s Enews

INTERNATIONAL MIGRANT’S DAY HIGHLIGHTS WOMEN’S CONTRIBUTIONS

UN News Centre reported December 18 that the United Nations marked International Migrant’s Day with appeals for the vast majority of states who have not yet done so to adhere to the treaty that seeks to protect the rights of the estimated 195 million people around the world who have left their homelands in search of better lives. Noting that about half of all migrants are women, UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid called for policies and laws to promote and protect their human rights. Read: UN News Centre 

Nigeria: Daily Trust reported December 15 that according to a release that came from the UNDP country office in Abuja, the United Nations will mark International Migrants' Day by highlighting women migrants and their contribution to development. The release quoted UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid as saying it was necessary to focus on issues of gender equality and that women face greater risk of exploitation and abuse, including human trafficking. Read: Daily Trust 

Pacific: Fiji Times reported December 18 that on International Migrants Day, UNFPA revealed more Pacific Islanders, including Fijians, are leaving to live, work or study in Australia, New Zealand, the United States of America and other countries. UNFPA Representative Najib Assifi said more than 69,500 Fiji-born people lived outside Fiji.  

A December 21 segment by Radio Australia featured UNFPA Representative Najib Assifi who explained: “In migration there are two factors that affect migration directly. One is called the push factor, and the other is called the pull factor. The push factor is normally within the countries from where the migrants originate, and these are many. For example, unemployment is one of the important push factors, that it forces people with skills to seek employment opportunities elsewhere. In addition to employment is the cost of living, low wages and also the political instability in those countries.” Read: Fiji Times, Asia Pulse, Radio Australia, The Tide

UPCOMING REPORTS ON URBANIZATION

The Independent on Sunday reported December 31 that official United Nations figures show that the world's urban population has more than quadrupled over the past 50 years. Almost half of us inhabit towns and cities: within a quarter of a century 60 percent of us will do so. The story mentioned that reports by Washington's Worldwatch Institute, published next month, and by the U.N. Population Fund, due in the summer, will describe the imminent transition and grapple with how to cope with the rapidly swelling cities. The task is all the more difficult and urgent as 95 percent of the increase is in developing countries, partly through births, but also through migration from the impoverished countryside to swelling slums that are home to a billion people. Read: The Independent on Sunday

UN BACKS GLOBAL CAMPAIGN TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

African echo news reported December 18 that a senior UN official has pressed for world action to protect women's rights on the eve of an international day of action to stamp out violence against women, including "honor" killings, genital mutilation and gang rape.

"We are working with partners to end impunity, to promote and protect the rights of women, including the right to sexual and reproductive health, and to foster equal opportunity, participation and decision- making," said Ms. Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund. She made the remarks in a message ahead of this years International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, during which a 16-day, UN-backed campaign against the problem is to kick off.  Read: africanecho/En

STRATEGIES IN REDUCING MATERNAL MORTALITY

In the December 16 issue of The Lancet,Vincent Fauveau of UNFPA commented on a study that examined evidence for an optimum strategy of intrapartum care in health centers with midwives operating in teams, adding to evidence that countries with a high proportion of births in institutions assisted by skilled attendants have low maternal mortality ratios. He said the study’s three "alternative" strategies that rely on home delivery by community-based workers “could lead to progress” if they represent the first phase of the phasing in of universal professional skilled birth attendance.” The result would ultimately ensure that all women deliver in, or very near to, a well staffed and equipped facility. He added: “There would also be progress if these interim strategies had built-in evaluation systems, which is not the case currently. Let us ensure that these are the ultimate objectives in the minds of policymakers and program managers.”

CAUTION STRESSED ON HAILED RESULTS OF CIRCUMCISION TRIAL

Agence France-Presse reported December 14 that the WHO, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNAIDS and the World Bank issued a warning of prudence after new findings showed circumcision nearly halves a man's risk of catching HIV. The story noted that according to figures cited by a UNFPA expert, 3.7 million infections and 2.7 million deaths could be averted over the next 20 years if male circumcision is added to the meager arsenal of preventive weapons. The U.N. agencies warned that circumcision should never preempt other preventive measures such as the use of condoms. Read: Agence France-Presse, UN News Centre

UNFPA ASKS FOR EARLY ROLLOUT FOR NEW CERVICAL CANCER VACCINE

Agence France-Presse reported December 12 that UNFPA made a pitch for an early rollout of a new vaccine for cervical cancer, saying the formula could save the lives of hundreds of thousands of women in poor countries. "Cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer among women, with deaths projected to rise by almost 25 percent over the next 10 years," the agency said. "In 2005, there were over 500,000 new cases of cervical cancer, of which over 90 percent were in developing countries. Left untreated, invasive cervical cancer is almost always fatal." Read: Agence France-Presse, Angola Press Agency, UN News Centre, Bloomberg News

PNG Post-Courier’s December 14 story noted that Arletty Pinel, chief of UNFPA’s reproductive health branch, said we don’t know the final cost of the (cervical cancer) vaccine in developing countries. But we can be certain it is going to be a major challenge to introduce it quickly in the poorest countries where it is needed most. Eighty percent of women who die of cervical cancer are generally poor and live in underserved areas. They will be the ones to benefit most from affordable prices and access to this vaccine.

INTERNATIONAL GROUPS CALL FOR SUPPORT FOR MIDWIFERY

AP reported December 15 that one woman dies every minute during pregnancy and childbirth; 500.000 woman per year, this is the somber picture that was revealed during the deliberation of the first International Forum on "Midwifery in the Community" that took place in Hammamet, Tunisia.  Representatives from 20 countries from Africa and Asia and delegations from relevant organizations participated in the Forum that was organized by UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, WHO, World Health Organization and ICM, International Confederation of Midwives. Read:  AP/Fr

Lebanon:  Asharq Alawsat reported December 16 that midwives and public health experts from 20 countries around the world gathered for the first-ever International Forum on “Midwifery in the Community.” They aim to raise awareness and generate guidance that will assist in saving the lives of more than 5 million women and over 45 million newborns by 2015. Half of the world’s pregnant women still lack access to skilled care at childbirth. This contributes to a high number of mothers and babies who continue to die every day for want of skilled attendance at birth. To ensure that every pregnant woman and newborn has access to a skilled birth attendant, ICM, the International Confederation of Midwives; UNFPA, WHO and partners are calling on governments to invest in developing and scaling-up of  “Midwifery in the Community”. Read: asharqalawsat/Ar

United States of America:  Ms Magazine reported December 14 that public health experts and midwives gathered in Tunisia on Tuesday for the first International Forum on Midwifery in the Community, urging governments to ensure that every woman has access to a skilled care provider during childbirth, something the UNFPA identifies as a "woman's basic human right."  According to the 2005 WHO World Health Report, an estimated 334,000 additional midwives are required to reduce the number of maternal and infant deaths and disabilities during childbirth, the UNFPA cites in its release. Read: msmagazine/En

Uzbekistan: Press-Uz reported December 13 that to ensure that every pregnant woman and newborn has access to a skilled birth attendant, UNFPA, along with the International Confederation of Midwives, the UN World Health Organization and partners are calling on governments to promote "midwifery in communities".  Read: press-uz/Ru

UN News Centre reported December 12 that to help save the lives of more than 5 million women and over 45 million newborns by 2015, midwives and public health experts from 20 countries around the world gathered in Tunisia for the first-ever International Forum on Midwifery in the Community. UNFPA, the International Confederation of Midwives, the WHO and their partners called on governments to promote midwifery in communities to ensure that every pregnant woman and newborn has access to a skilled birth attendant. “A strong midwifery profession is key to achieving safer childbirth, and all pregnant women should have access to a midwife,” said UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid. Read: UN News Centre

ALGERIA: Youth Clinic Opened

El Watan reported December 17 that the ‘’Youth Friendly Health Centre’’ for Adolescents and Youth at El Djorf, Bab-Ezzouar (Algiers) was opened by the Ministry of Health and Population with support from UNFPA. Read: El Watan

BAHRAIN: UNFPA Hailed for Helping in Development

Bahrain News Agency reported December 26 that Bahrain’s Queen and the Chairwoman of Bahrain Supreme Council for Women, Shaikh Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim al Khalifa, received UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid. UNFPA was hailed for its achievements in curbing poverty, enhancing sustainable development, caring for family health, improving individual income and providing states with technical assistance in the field of population policies. Read: Bahrain News Agency

BANGLADESH: Dialogue on Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

The Financial Express reported December 15 that UNFPA in Bangladesh organized a dialogue on “Sexual Harassment at the Workplace” to find out positive recommendations to end workplace gender-based violence. The story noted the dialogue was organized under the project Promotion of Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment jointly implemented by the Department of Women Affairs of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and UNFPA. Read: Financial Express

BANGLADESH: Warning on Dhaka’s Growth to a Megalopolis

Financial Express ran a December 13 editorial that warned, “There are valid fears that Dhaka in the future could be a megalopolis…full of slums or shanty-towns, short of infrastructures. The editorial cited recent UNFPA projections that Dhaka will grow to become the world's fourth most populous city one and a half decade from now. Read: Financial Express

BANGLADESH: Symposium on Adolescent Reproductive Health

Financial Express reported December 12 on a daylong symposium, “Adolescent Reproduction Health Strategy: Dissection and Anatomy,” organized by the Department of Population Sciences of Dhaka University (DU) in cooperation with UNFPA. Officer-in-Charge of UNFPA Carolyn Benbow Ross attended the symposium as the special guest. Read: Financial Express

Daily Star reported December 14 that while inaugurating the symposium, Officer-in-Charge of UNFPA Bangladesh Carolyn Benbow-Ross termed the youths as the “most promising generation” of the country. She said that UNFPA wants to work with young people and media personalities to eliminate HIV/ AIDS from the country. "All actors are valued equally; hence regular interaction amongst partners should take place in a regular frequency," said Benbow-Ross. Dr. Nurul Ameen, assistant representative of UNFPA, Dr. Noor Mohammad, national program officer of UNFPA and Emamul Haque, head of advocacy, WFP, also addressed the meeting. Read: Daily Star

BRAZIL: Publication Presents 2030 Prospective for the Brazilian Population

Brazilian media reported December 15 on the latest socio-demographic prospective for the country detailed in a publication prepared by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics in partnership with UNFPA Brazil. Findings were centered on the acceleration of the ageing process in the country, the permanence of regional inequalities, and increased fertility rates among younger women. The publication received extensive coverage – more than 35 newspaper stories and several radio and TV interviews.

CAMBODIA: Training to Empower Women Politicians

Ramei Kampuchea reported December 27 that 60 women from the Cambodian People Party, Sam Rainsy Party and Funcinpec Party participated in a training to strengthen public speaking during the election campaign. The training was supported by UNFPA in collaboration with Women for Prosperity and Ministry of Women’s Affairs.

COTE D'IVOIRE: Parliamentarians Train in Advocacy

Fraternité Matin reported December 28 that a group of parliamentarians engaged in population and development issues got training in advocacy techniques at a workshop funded by UNFPA. Mr. Jean Enokou Koffi, UNFPA Assistant Representative, said: "Any programme of population and development, particularly reproductive health and gender, needs advocacy to obtain the neccessary support from the cultural and political environment."

COTE D'IVOIRE: Rights of Women Migrants

Le Jour reported December 18 from the launch of the UNFPA 2006 State of World Population report that took place in Abidjan December 15. "The issue of migration is of great concern for Cote d'Ivoire", said Minister Bohoun Bouabré, stressing that the country's population is young and that more and more young women migrate.

GEORGIA: Healthcare Providers Trained on Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health

The Messenger reported December 15 that UNFPA, within the EC co-financed project Reproductive Health Initiative for Youth in the South Caucasus, will conduct a five-day training for the healthcare providers on sexual and reproductive health services for youth. Read: The Messenger

GHANA: HIV/AIDS Prevention Highlighted at World AIDS Day Discussions

The Ghanaian Chronicle reported December 15 that stigma associated with the HIV/AIDS pandemic is a major constraint to government efforts to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS. At a debate marking World AIDS Day, organized by Muslim Family Counseling Services, (MFCS), Ahmed Derry, program director of MFCS, said MFCS is currently involved in AIDS prevention programs for teachers and students of 20 schools in Kumasi. Derry also commended UNFPA, UNICEF and USAID and the Ghana Health Services and the Ministry of Health for supporting the MFCS. Read: The Ghanaian Chronicle

HAITI: UNFPA Reaffirms Support for Country’s Family Planning Programs

Radio Metropole, Radio Ibo, Radio Signal FM, TNH, TV 11, Tele Ginen, Telemax reported December 12 that the UNFPA Representative in Haiti, Tania Patriota, reaffirmed UNFPA’s support for Haiti’s family planning programs. Patriota gave a speech in a ceremony to open a three-day meeting with the Minister for the Public Health and the American Ambassador in Haiti.

INDIA: World Alliance for Youth Empowerment Hosts a Youth Festival

The Daily News and Analysis reported December 19 that the World Alliance for Youth Empowerment and the youth force of the Art of Living Foundation organized Yuvaratri, a youth festival on December 24. The story noted that organizers expect more than 100,000 youth to participate in the event. Participation is also expected by UNAIDS, UNFPA and UNESCO. Read: Daily News and Analysis, Express

INDONESIA: Aid for Flash Flood

UN News Centre reported December 25 that in response to flash floods that swept over the province of Aceh in Indonesia earlier this month the United Nations has allocated an initial $2 million grant from its Central Emergency Response Fund for the relief effort in the area. An estimated 170,000 have been forced to flee their homes. The story noted that UNFPA has 1,680 family tents, 1,300 hygiene kits, 100 individual kits for childbearing women, and 8 sets of reproductive health kits that could be mobilized from Jakarta. Read: UN News Centre

INDONESIA: Survey Released on Trends in Adolescent Sex

Bernama reported December 22 that at least 15 percent of the 62 million unmarried youth in Indonesia aged 10 to 24 were reported as having had sexual intercourse, according to a survey by PKBI, UNFPA and the National Family Planning Coordinating Agency. The survey also found that each year around 15 million young girls, ages 15 to 19, had given birth. Read: Bernama 

JAMAICA: 16 Women Complete Skill Training Workshop

Jamaica Information Service reported December 20 that 16 women were presented with graduation certificates after completing a one-week skills training workshop on gluten and soy milk production and floral arrangement. The story noted that this workshop was organized by UNFPA, in collaboration with the Social Development Commission office in St Thomas and Ashanti Enterprise. Read: Jamaica Information Service 

JAMAICA: Malaria Outbreak Confined and Controlled

Jamaica Information Service reported December 14 that with some 61 confirmed cases of malaria, mostly confined to four communities in the corporate area, Minister of Health, Hon. Horace Dalley, assured that the outbreak was under control and that there was no national health crisis. "The Ministry has received continued support from Pan American Health Organization, United Nations Children's Education Fund as well as our Caribbean neighbors. The United Nations Population Fund has offered 2,000 bed nets and an additional 3,000 is expect from Copenhagen to be given to the people from the affected areas," said Dalley. Read: Jamaica Information Service

KAZAKHSTAN: Must Create Equal Conditions for Women and Men

Kazinform reported December 20 that representatives of the National Commission for Family Affairs and Gender Policy, the UN Population Fund and Business Women Association have summarized the results of a national  contest to identify important population issues, concluding that it is crucial to create equal opportunities for women and men. 60 professional journalists participated in the contest with the aim to raise public awareness, skills and knowledge of Kazakhstani journalists of population issues.

LIBERIA: Poverty Reduction Efforts

The Analyst reported December 13 that the head of the U.N. system in Liberia, Alan Doss, said, experience from around the world has shown that education and health are critical factors in poverty reduction and that therefore WHO, UNFPA, UNICEF, and UNESCO were working with the government and NGO community to get these services on the ground and accessible and affordable to poor people.

MALAWI: Sexual and Reproductive Health Services Free in Rural Areas

The Daily Times reported December 25 that Banja La Mtsogolo (BLM) has started providing free sexual and reproductive health services in rural areas to complement government’s efforts in providing medical services to rural people. BLM Country Director Walker Jiyani said the services would be provided under BLM’s five-year program called Third Phase of Integral Reproductive Health and Sexual Services. Partners include DFID, Norwegian and Swedish governments as well as JICA. UNFPA, with the support of the European Union, is supporting youth programs. Read: Daily Times

MALDIVES: Survey Finds One Out of Every Three Women Abused

Haveeru Daily reported December 26 that a survey conducted by Ministry of Gender and Family titled Maldives Study of Women’s Health and Life Experiences has revealed that one out of every three Maldivian women aged 15-45 has been physically or sexually abused, by partners, strangers or an acquaintance. The story noted that the survey conducted by the Gender Ministry was supported and funded by UNICEF, UNFPA and WHO. Read: Haveeru Daily

MIDDLE EAST: Development of an Arab Youth Forum Encouraged

Times of Oman reported December 20 that experts and representatives of the regional and international organizations urged the national population councils to organize an Arab Youth Forum to tackle the youth issues. They also focused on the directives of the U.N. Population Fund on the significance of participation of the youth in developmental projects. Read: Times of Oman

MONGOLIA: Mongolian Midwives to Benefit from Country Program

The Mongol Messenger reported December 13 that Deputy Director of Asia Pacific Division of UNFPA Headquarters Bill Musoke said, “One of the major objectives of UNFPA’s fourth country program is to provide support to the Mongolian government in improving the accessibility of quality reproductive health services to remote rural populations and vulnerable groups, including adolescents, informal gold miners and migrants.” The program will help midwives acquire knowledge, skills and methodology needed for conducting behavior activities and family-oriented public health services, counseling and care. Read: Mongol Messenger

NEPAL: Concern over Lack of Focus on Female Combatants

IRIN reported December 25 that since November’s signing of the historic peace agreement to end a decade-long conflict between the Maoist rebels and the Nepalese government, around 30,000 of the male and female soldiers are being confined in both west and east Nepal. The lack of focus on the welfare of female combatants worry both local and international women's rights activists and organizations. Junko Sazaki, UNFPA representative in Nepal, said there should be more careful planning now so as not to marginalize women combatants as that would make any reintegration process unsustainable. Local gender experts also claimed that the mistakes of other post-conflict countries are being repeated in Nepal where female combatants seem to be excluded from the process of disarmament and reintegration. “Is anyone even talking to the women combatants at all to know what their needs and aspirations are?” asked Sanam Anderlini, UNFPA gender expert on peace and security. Read: IRIN 

NEPAL: Women Push for Space in Peace Plans

Inter Press Services reported December 14 that at high-level talks to finalize Nepal’s interim constitution, government and Maoist leaders cannot agree that at least a third of their party workers are women. Nepali women have been hammering on the doors of political power since after the revived parliament proclaimed May 30 that one-third of seats on all state bodies would be reserved for women. UNFPA Nepal Representative Junko Sazaki said UNFPA is working to spread awareness about the UNSCR 1325, the document that directs governments ensure women participate fully in preventing and resolving conflicts and in peace-building. “Our challenge is to include local women’s groups and make them aware,” added Sazaki. Read: Inter Press Service

NEPAL: Women Suffer Uterine Prolapse

Inter Press Service reported December 11 on treating Nepalese women who suffer from uterine prolapse by inserting a pessary ring in the vagina to stop the uterus from descending. The story noted that Public Health Concern Trust ran a two-day reproductive health camp – one of 84 planned in six of Nepal’s 75 districts. The year-long project is supported by UNFPA and Nepal’s Health Ministry with funding from the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid Office. Read: Inter Press Service, Kantipur 

NEPAL: Medical Assistance Program in Dadeldhura District

The Himalayan Times reported December 12 that the number of pregnant women seeking medical assistance has increased drastically over the last year due to government assistance in transportation fares to those seeking the medical help in mountainous Terai regions. The story noted that the women’s development committee with support from UNFPA has established an Emergency Obstetric Care Fund in the Dadeldhura district to sustain the medical assistance program. Read: The Himalayan Times 

NICARAGUA: Ministry of Health Presents Strategy on Sexual and Reproductive Health

La Prensa reported December 20 that the Ministry of Health presented the National Strategy on Sexual and Reproductive Health. UNFPA Representative in Nicaragua Pedro Pablo Villanueva said this strategy is an investment in health of the people and their development. Read: La Prensa 

NIGERIA: National Conference Discusses Health Reform

This Day reported December 19 that over 400 participants gathered at the conference, “Health in Nigeria in The 21st Century: Sustaining the Reforms Beyond 2007,” to develop a health agenda for Nigeria in the twenty-first century. The conference addressed causes increasing maternal mortality such as vesico-vaginal fistula. The story noted that UNFPA estimated that about two million women are affected by fistulas in the developing world.  Read: This Day 

PAKISTAN: First National HIV/AIDS Referral Laboratory Opened

Daily Times reported December 19 that a National HIV/AIDS referral laboratory, the first of its kind in Pakistan, was inaugurated at the National Institute of Health (NIH). The lab has been set up with the support of UNFPA and the Canadian International Development Agency and will be associated with an Ottawa-based International HIV/AIDS referral laboratory. Read: Daily Times

The Pakistan Newswire reported December 19 that at the inauguration of the HIV/AIDS lab, UNFPA Representative Dr. France Donnay called for coordinated efforts to remove the stigma and discrimination against the HIV/AIDS patients.  

PAKISTAN: Agreement to Rebuild Healthcare Facilities Signed

Business Recorder reported December 23 that the International Organization for Migration and UNFPA signed an agreement to rebuild healthcare facilities in earthquake-affected areas of Azad Kashmir and North West Frontier Province. The agreement, endorsed by Hassan Abdel Moneim Mostafa, IOM regional representative for West and Central Asia and Dr. France Donnay, UNFPA representative in Pakistan, will focus on construction of prefabricated units to provide easy-to-access healthcare services to communities living in remote and high-altitude areas. Read: IRNA, Associated Press of Pakistan, Xinhua General News Service

PAKISTAN: Aid Sought to Avert “Nutritional Crises”

The Press Trust of India reported December 22 that Pakistan sought U.N. help to avert a "nutritional crises" among the 84,000 refugees that have fled the escalating fighting between the army and the nationalists in the restive Balochistan province. The story noted that the U.N. has approved a $1 million humanitarian relief package for six months to address this crisis that includes immediate setting up of 57 supplementary feeding centres and three therapeutic feeding centres in the three districts, provision of food, medicine and nutrition for children, blankets, water purification and sanitation equipment and technical assistance. UNICEF will carry out the relief operation, while UNDP, WHO, UNFPA, WFP and UNHCR provide support. Read: Press Trust of India, The DAWN

PARAGUAY: UNFPA Reports Country Has 1.552 HIV/AIDS Cases

ABC reported December 11 that according to UNFPA Paraguay’s newsletter JOPARÉ, from 1985 to July 31, 2006, 3,300 people have been infected by the HIV virus without getting AIDS; and a total of 1.552 cases of AIDS have been reported. Read: ABC 

PARAGUAY: Development Project Needed in Metropolitan Areas

ABCreported December 15 on a report funded by UNFPA, “Metropolitan Trends in Asunción, Ciudad del Este and Encarnación,” by architect and city planner, Mabel Causarano. The report found that the absence of urban development projects have led to serious crises in the three main metropolitan areas of Paraguay. Read: ABC, La Nación, Última Hora  

PHILIPPINES: Sound Philippine Policy through Reproductive Health and Family Planning

Manila Bulletin ran a December 24, 2006 op ed by  Fidel V. Ramos, former Philippine President and current head of the Ramos Peace and Development Foundation, advocated for a sound population policy for the Philippines. In his op ed, he wrote: “Aside from women's rights, the U.N. Population Fund emphasizes the entitlement of young people to government support for adolescent sexual and reproductive health education through the Department of Education and Local Government Units. Recent interactions between our National Youth Commission and UNFPA resulted in, among others, a resolution to urge the establishment of local adolescent reproductive health programs and mechanisms.”

PHILIPPINES: Appeal for Typhoon Aid

BusinessWorld reported December 19 that the U.N. launched an appeal for $46-million to help victims of the recent typhoon get back on their feet. "Priority needs include emergency shelter items, food, clean drinking water, pediatric medicines, water and sanitation assistance, and generator sets for hospitals, among others," the UN said. "A lot of it [$46 million] was committed today…but we do not know exactly how much will come and when…we hope that our development partners will be giving money. We're very positive," said UNFPA Country Representative Suneeta Mukherjee. Read: BusinessWorld

SUDAN: Seminar on Awareness and Media Mobilization
Suna News Agency reported December 14 that a Seminar on Awareness and Media Mobilization was held prior to the fifth population census. Abu Bakr Waziri, UNFPA media consultant, presented a paper on the importance of the population census on planning for housing, economic and development. He made the point that there could be no development or economic planning without the population census. He stressed the importance of the media in enlightening the masses and involving them in the process through the provision of correct information.

SUDAN: UNFPA and UNDP Criticized for Negligence of Government Program

Suna News Agency reported December 13 that the Advisory Council of Human Rights criticized UNFPA and UNDP for negligence of government programs during International Day for Violence against Women observances.

SUDAN: Conference Held on Violence Against Women

Sudan Daily Vision reported December 16 that a two-day conference on violence against women was supported by UNFPA, UNIFEM and UNDP in partnership with Ahfad University for women.  

TANZANIA: Country Receives $290 Million in Grants from U.N. Agencies
Xinhua General News Service reported December 16 that four U.N. agencies have given Tanzania grants worth 350 billion shillings ($290 million) as implementation of the 2007-2010 U.N. Development Assistance Framework for this country. The agreement for the grants were signed in Dar es Salaam between Gray Mgonja, permanent secretary of the Tanzanian finance ministry and representatives of UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF and World Food Program. Read: Daily News

TURKMENISTAN: Seminar Held on Reproductive Health, Population and Development Issues

Turkmenistan.ru reported December 21 that a three-day seminar on reproductive health, gender, population and development was organized by UNFPA and National Institute of Statistics and Information of Turkmenistan, Turkmenmillihasabat. Read: Turkmenistan.ru

UGANDA: Five-Year Project to Educate Public on Female Genital Cutting

New Vision reported December 13 that the government will educate the public on female genital cutting in seven districts. The five-year project funded by UNFPA would cover Kapchorwa, Gulu, Lira, Arua, Mukono, Busia, Kanungu, Tororo, Hoima and Kiboga districts. Read: New Vision

UGANDA: Response to Recent Findings that HIV/AIDS May Be Rising

New Vision ran a December 12 op ed by Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, current MP for Kinkizi East in Kanungu District and former HIV/AIDS expert for UNFPA, who responded to recent indications that HIV infection levels could be rising in Uganda. He stressed: “Ugandans must change behavior and work hard to wipe out HIV/AIDS so that in future we can say, ‘Once upon a time, there was AIDS in Uganda.’” Read: New Vision 

UNITED STATES: Kenyan Living in U.S. Speaks Out against Female Genital Mutilation

Dallas MorningNews featured a December 31 story on Grand Prairie, Texas resident, Lucy Semeiyan Mashua, who is speaking out against the genital mutilations performed on girls and women in her native Kenya. “I want to be a voice for the voiceless,” she said. The story noted that many international organizations are helping the cause. The World Health Organization, UNICEF and the United Nations Population Fund have issued a policy statement on female genital mutilation and created a plan to accelerate its elimination. Several countries are developing national plans of action based on this plan. Read: Dallas Morning News

VIETNAM: Migration from Countryside to Urban Areas Largest in the World

Vietnam News Service reported December 23 that at a December 22 workshop, Ian Howie, UNFPA country representative, warned that migration from Vietnam’s countryside to urban areas is on a much larger scale than anywhere else in the world. Read: Vietnam News Service

VIETNAM: Population Growth Rate

Vietnam News Service reported December 28 that Vietnam’s Commission on Population, Family and Children announced at a meeting held in Hanoi on Dec. 26 to mark the Vietnam Population Day that the current population growth rate is 1.33 percent. The story noted that over the past years the State and the whole community have been supported with the population task by international organizations, particularly the United Nations Population Fund, which presented Vietnam a certificate of merit in 2000.

VIETNAM: High Demand for Contraceptives for Youth

Vietnam News Service reported December 21 that the demand for contraceptives, especially high among young Vietnamese, will likely outpace future supply. While the use of contraceptives has increased during the last decade, the government still needs to push birth control across the country, officials were told during a conference between Vietnamese and international population groups in Ha Noi. “By doing so, it will help Vietnam sustain the declining fertility rate and prevent unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS, particularly among young people,” said Ian Howie, UNFPA representative in Vietnam. Read: Vietnam News Service

VIETNAM: UNFPA Pledges Support for Sex Ratio Census

Vietnam News Service reported December 14 that at the country's first national symposium on sex birth ratios, UNFPA pledged its support to Vietnam for conducting birth sex ratio census and combating gender-based abortions. "Gender-based abortions are a serious human rights violation that impedes development and worsens the socio-economic status of the entire nation – not just girls and women," said Ian Howie, UNFPA representative to Vietnam. "An imbalance of sexes fuels human trafficking and sexual exploitation. It endangers economic development and increases social instability as a growing population of men search for partners," he added. Read: Vietnam News Service

YEMEN: International Peer Education Meeting

Yemen Times ran a December 24 column by Ismail Al-Ghabiri that noted an International Peer Education Meeting was held. The meeting involved 40 officials in charge of youth programs in UNFPA from across the world. Themed “Learning best practices on peer education and adopting standards of practice,” the meeting was organized by the Sana'a-based UNFPA, and took place over four days. UNFPA Representative in Yemen Hans Obdeijn delivered a speech during the first session highlighting the importance of the meeting. Read: Yemen Times

YEMEN: Ministry of Health confirms its commitments to combat  HIV/AIDS.

Saba news agency reported December 12 that the Minister of Health emphasized the government's commitments to secure effective policies to combat intercontinental epidemic diseases including HIV/AIDS. UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund's representative in Yemen, Mr. Hans Obdeijn, commended the efforts of the UN joint team and partner agencies in Yemen in combating HIV/AIDS. Read: sabanews/Ar

ZANZIBAR: UNFPA Donates Funding for Development Programs

The Guardian reported December 28 that UNFPA donated funds to the Zanzibar government for the implementation of diverse social development programs in the islands. The agreement was signed in Zanzibar by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Economy, Khamis Mussa and UNFPA Representative, Christopher Mwaijonga. Mr. Mwaijonga said the donation is intended for development activities in the isles. “This donation is for government institutions especially those dealing with similar activities with UNFPA,” he said. Read: The Guardian

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