UNFPA IN THE NEWS — DECEMBER 4-10, 2006

UNFPA $20 MILLION HUMANITARIAN AID REQUEST FOR 2007

The Washington Times reported December 4 on the most horrific injuries in war torn areas. The story mentioned that the Panzi Hospital in the Congo treats women with gynecological and reproductive injuries, the seemingly unhealable wounds inflicted by the gang rapes or invasive tortures of soldiers bent on terrifying the civilian population. The story noted that UNFPA seeks $20 million this year to prevent and treat sexual violence against women in refugee camps and conflict zones. That amount is included in the $3.9 billion humanitarian appeal the United Nations issued for humanitarian relief next year, a smaller amount than last year, but still nearly twice the annual U.N. operating budget. Read: Washington Times

INTERNATIONAL FORUM ON WOMEN’S MOBILIZATION

AGI reported December 7 on AGI and IPS’s Instant Talk forum, "Globalization Processes: What Roles for Women?" The discussion focused on women’s mobilization to guarantee the demands and rights of 'invisible' women, who die giving birth, of malaria, of AIDS in Africa and in the southern hemisphere of the world. Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, UNFPA executive director, was among international representatives and dignitaries in attendance at the forum in Rome. Read: AGI

WORLD AIDS DAY OBSERVANCES

Bhutan: Keunsel reported December 4 that at World AIDS Day observance, UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador, Her Majesty Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck, said that despite general awareness, the number of people affected with the disease had been increasing. Read: Keunsel

16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN CAMPAIGN

Sudan: Suna News Agency reported December 10 that the Commissioner of Women and Children Affairs and Chairman of the Information Campaign for Eradication of Violence against Women and AIDS, Samia Ali Ahmed, declared the end of the campaign, which was sponsored by UNFPA and South Darfur state's government.

LANCET’S SERIES ON REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

Voice of America reported December 7 on the series of studies on reproductive health published by The Lancet medical journal. Stan Bernstein, a former senior policy advisor for the U.N. Millennium Project and current advisor to UNFPA, was interviewed as the co-author for one of the studies in the series. He called family planning one of the great development success stories of the last 50 years. However, he said the benefits are being lost: “We’ve seen contraceptive use in developing countries go up from around 10 percent around 1960 to around 60 percent today. But after decades of progress, voluntary family planning is becoming a neglected tool in the battle against poverty in low-income countries. Donor support has declined both relative to other population investments and in absolute terms. But the gains to be derived from investment in family planning and strong political support for family planning programs remain important and available to be reached.” Read: Voice of America

AFGHANISTAN: Psychiatric Centers Inaugurated

Pajhwok Afghan News reported December 10 that Ministry of Women Affairs inaugurated a psychiatric center in the Alauddin area. Dr. Marghalary, head of the Health Department at MOWA, said UNFPA-funded seminars would be conducted in the center to inform teachers and students about the psychiatric problems and the preventive measures.

ANTIGUA: Woman Minister to Head Inter-American Commission of Women

Antigua Sun reported December 5 that At the celebration, Dr. Quinn-Leandro reiterated her commitment to women of the hemisphere, particularly Caricom, in her two-year term as president. She also expressed her gratitude to UNICEF and UNFPA for funding other Caricom countries to ensure their safe arrival to the event in El Salvador. Read: Antigua Sun

BELARUS: Three of Four of Women Victims of Family Based Violence

Regnum reported December 7 that Belarus in cooperation with the UN Regional Information Office is running a campaign to attract attention to the problem of family violence, especially against women. This campaign is coordinated by UNFPA, United Nations Population Fund. Read:  regnum/Ru

BELIZE: Project Featured on STI/HIV/AIDS Prevention among Youth

Channel 5 ran a December segment on a collaborative initiative entitled the GOB/OPEC-FUND/UNFPA Project on Prevention of STI/HIV/AIDS among Youth in Especially Difficult Circumstances. Arnulfo Cantun, OPEC/UNFPA project coordinator, said: “We’re talking about young people who are commercial sex workers, young people who hang out on the block, we’re talking about young people who are not normally reached through the normal channel, because they are not in schools, hanging out on the block, men who have sex with men and young pregnant women. So those were the persons that this project hoped to target and reach through various interventions.” The story noted that the project was implemented three years ago in three Caribbean and Latin American countries. Read: Channel 5

BHUTAN: Japan Evaluates 20 Years of Official Development Assistance

Keunsel reported December 4 that a delegation from Japan was in Bhutan for two weeks to evaluate Japan’s official development assistance to Bhutan from the past 20 years.  The evaluation team headed by the director of UNFPA in Tokyo, Kiyoko Ikegami, sought to obtain lessons and make suggestions for formulating future assistance policy and conducting more effective and efficient assistance in the future, and to be accountable to the Japanese citizens by disseminating the evaluation results. Read: Keunsel

BURUNDI: Tougher Laws Advocated to Curb Sexual Violence

Angola Press Agency reported December 5 that Burundi’s parliamentary network on population and development issues advocated tougher laws to curb increasing sexual violence in the country. At the network’s forum supported by UNFPA, Parliamentary Deputy On’sime Nduwimana described the scourge as a "real epidemic," noting that the crime was being committed at markets, home, schools, offices and war displaced persons camps. Read: Angola Press Agency

CAMBODIA: Sexual and Reproductive Health Promoted to Sex Workers

Kohsantepheap reported December 8 that the Cambodia Women for Peace and Development organized a workshop on promoting sexual and reproductive health for sex workers. Support for the workshop was provided by European Commission and channeled through UNFPA. Alice Levisay, UNFPA deputy representative, said, “The result of a survey showed that many women working for entertainment services are vulnerable to sexual based-violence, which puts them at risk to HIV/AIDS.”

CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE: Efforts to Increase Number of Women in Power by Law

La Collecte reported December 6 on efforts led by the Minister for Women and Development, Mme Jeanne Francoise Leckomba Loumeto to lobby for a law requiring a minimum quota of women in the country's decision-making bodies. She convened a week long meeting for a network of women ministers and parliamentarians  to discuss ways of improving women's staus in Congo and promoting ICPD. The meeting was supported by UNFPA.

CUBA: Country Faced with Population Decline 

The Miami Herald reported December 7 that in facing chronic shortages of everything from housing to food, more and more of Cuba’s women are choosing to have just one child – or none at all. Cuba having the region’s highest life expectancy rates and lowest birthrates finds itself with a dwindling population – one that in just 13 years will see the number of retired people outnumber the labor force. The story noted that a decline in population isn't necessarily bad, said Arie Hoekman, Cuba director for UNFPA. “A dwindling younger population and high elderly population places challenges on social systems such as health, education, social security,” Hoekman said. “On the other hand, continued growth would not be sustainable. They are already facing challenges.” Read: Miami Herald

GEORGIA: Results of 2005 Study on Reproductive Health Revealed

The Messenger reported December 7 that the results of a study on women's reproductive health carried out in 2005 were reviewed at a conference organized by UNFPA. The study was conducted by the joint project Reproductive Health of Women in Georgia implemented by USAID and UNFPA. Read: The Messenger

JAMAICA: At Caribbean Media Awards, Caricom Issues Warning

Jamaica Observer reported December 4 that at the UNFPA 2006 Caribbean Media Awards, Caricom Secretary-General Dr. Edwin Carrington warned regional countries not to depend on remittances alone to sustain them, as it could not, but to expand their economies to adequately meet the growing demands of the Caribbean people. Read: Jamaica Observer

The Jamaica Observer’s December 5 editorial agreed with Carrington’s compelling argument at the UNFPA Media Awards for regional governments to structure their economies in order to stem the brain drain affecting the region, “[he] told us what we already know – that Caribbean countries could not continue relying on remittances as a major source of foreign exchange inflow.” The editorial noted: “Of course, we do not believe that full implementation of the CSME will be a panacea for the brain drain. For people, particularly those who are highly qualified and experienced, will always move to jurisdictions that will adequately reward them for their expertise.” Read: Jamaica Observer

The Jamaica Observer reported December 4 that eight Caribbean journalists walked away with trophies and cash prizes at the annual UNFPA Caribbean Media Awards on Saturday night. The ceremony, held on the grounds of the University of the West Indies, Mona campus, featured entries on migration and development. Read: Jamaica Observer

MIDDLE EAST: Fourth Regional Meeting to Assess HIV/AIDS Programs

Sana’a reported December 4 that the Global Fund for Fighting AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria commenced the fourth regional meeting to assess HIV/AIDS programs. Health ministers and representatives from 30 countries in Mediterranean, Gulf and North Africa, attended the regional meeting to discuss initiatives to activate the role of private sector and civil society in promoting health services, according to the Millennium Development Goals, and to develop future cooperation with the Fund. The slogan this year is “Stop AIDS…Keep Promise,” said Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, UNFPA executive director. She called for questioning the governments, NGOs and civil society over their commitments to fight AIDS. Read: Sana’a

MONGOLIA: First Gathering of Midwives

MN Today Daily reported December 8 on The First Mongolian Midwifery Conference and the important role midwives play in providing reproductive health services to remote populations of Mongolia and achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Mongolian Parliament and Ministry of Health honored midwives together with support of UNFPA, WHO and other organizations.

The Mongolian Newswire reported December 7 that the conference on midwives and health professionals was jointly organized by the Parliament Standing Committee on Social Policy, Education, Culture and Science, and the Ministry of Health with technical and financial assistance of UNFPA. The conference that included over 160 participants featured guest speakers as Bill Musoke, UNFPA deputy director of the Asia-Pacific division, and Chieko Nohno, a member of the Japanese Parliament.” Read: Mongolian Newswire

NEPAL: Women Demand 33 Percent Participation in Constituent Assembly

Kanipur reported December 7 that at a program on "UN Security Council Resolution 1325 in Nepal: Relevance and Application" organized by UNFPA and Center for Women and Politics, Sahana Pradhan, standing committee member of CPN-UML and chairperson of Inter-Party Women's Alliance, demanded parties to make a provision of not including parties for election to the Constituent Assembly, if they don't ensure 33 percent reservation for women. Junko Sazaki, UNFPA representative said that government secretaries and joint secretaries are very conservative, which could hinder the implementation of 33 percent house resolution on women. Sanam Anderlini, UNFPA consultant said, besides talking about rights and place, women should also think about what could be women's answer to the bigger problem. “Think also about how you can contribute to the overall problem,” she added. Read: Kantipur

NEPAL: Fourth Joint Annual Review Program Reviewed

Rising Nepal reported December 5 that at the Fourth Joint Annual Review Program organized by the Ministry of Health to review the progress of the National Health Sector Strategy and the Nepal Health Sector Program Implementation Plan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health and Population, Amik Sherchan said the health services should be geared towards providing proportional services according to the changed health policy. UNFPA, WHO, UNICEF, USAID, World Bank and GTZ were among the international agencies in attendance. Read: Rising Nepal

PAKISTAN: Parliamentarians to Be Educated on HIV/AIDS

The Daily Times reported December 9 that the Punjab AIDS Control Program is organizing a three-day seminar to educate parliamentarians on HIV/AIDS. The story noted that delegates from UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNDP will also attend. Read: Daily Times

PHILIPPINES: Mayor Duterte Criticizes Catholic Church’s Population Program

Philippine Daily Inquirer reported December 5 that Mayor Rodrigo Duterte criticized the Catholic Church by saying, “The population control program of the Church is stupid. It is not at all working. It has been there and tested for many years but what?” The story noted that G. Giridhar, head of the country technical services team for East and South-East Asia of the United Nations Population Fund, said during a discussion on population and social dynamics with the Jefferson Fall 2006 Fellows that the agency could not stand against the Catholic Church in the Philippines. “UNFPA (is having) a hard time working its programs in the Philippines because of the strong objection of the Church on family planning,” he said. Read: Philippine Daily Inquirer

PHILIPPINES: Online HIV/AIDS Information Targeting Homosexuals

Mindanao Times reported December 4 that Waves International, an organization advocating the access to accurate information on HIV/AIDS, is now using the Internet to reach out to homosexuals. The project is being carried out in collaboration with AIDS Society of the Philippines and UNFPA. Read: Mindanao Times

PHILIPPINES: National Youth Conference Held

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported December 10 that the National Youth Commission and UNFPA hosted the 267 youth leaders from around the Philippines. At the youth conference, UNFPA Country Representative Dr. Suneeta Mukherjee challenged youth to dream high by saying, “You are not only the future of the Philippines, but also you are the today of the Philippines, thus, you must be influencing the policies for the youth.”

SWAZILAND: Planning and Review Meeting Held

The Weekend Observer reported December 9 that at UNFPA-sponsored Planning and Review meeting, the Economic Planning and Development Minister Absalom Dlamini said the country’s rapid population growth is causing a major setback in the country’s development.

The Weekend Observer also reported December 9 that at the Planning and Review meeting, UNFPA Country Representative Aisha Camara-Drummeh expressed her appreciation for the Swazi government and pledged her commitment to improve the quality of life for Swazis.

THAILAND: Ministry Urged to Submit Country’s First Reproductive Health Bill

Bangkok Post reported December 6 that health advocates called on the Public Health Ministry to submit the country's first reproductive health bill to the cabinet. The bill, which will ensure better access to healthcare services for women and children, was drafted in 2001 and has been completed since the end of 2004. The bill had the support of former female parliamentarians, health advocates, the Planned Parenthood Association of Thailand, and UNFPA.

TURKEY: Country Marks 72nd Anniversary of Women’s Suffrage

Turkish Daily News reported December 6 that Turkey marked the 72nd anniversary of women's suffrage. The story noted that Interior Minister Abdülkadir Aksu said the issue of women's rights was a “struggle ongoing in parallel with the acceptance of democracy as a lifestyle.” At a meeting held by UNFPA, Sabancı Holding's education foundation and the Association for Educating and Supporting Female Candidates to evaluate the results of a U.N. project to improve and protect the rights of women and girls, the minister said, “All our efforts are toward bringing our women to their deserved place in our society.” Read: Turkish Daily News

UGANDA: State Minister Commends UNFPA for Poverty Eradication Efforts

New Vision reported December 4 that at the 10th District Culture Day organized by UNFPA, the Privatization State Minister Rukia Chekamondo said UNFPA's support has supplemented the government's efforts to eradicate poverty through strengthening health services in the Kapchorwa district. Read: New Vision

UGANDA: Unintended Pregnancies and Abortions

New Vision ran a December 5 column by Irene Nabusoba on the real life occurrences detailed in a 2005 study, “Unintended Pregnancy and Induced Abortion in Uganda, Causes and Consequences,” that found 16% of the unintended pregnancies end up in abortions. The column pointed to UNFPA’s 2006 State of World Population Report that noted Uganda's fertility rate is 7.11%, the highest in the world. Read: New Vision

UNITED STATES: UNFPA Project to Combat Violence against Women

Boston Globe ran a December 8 editorial on UNFPA’s project shedding light on five under-reported crimes against women such as bride kidnapping, child marriage, traumatic fistula, the systematic disappearance and murder of women; and breast-ironing. The editorial noted that Americans for UNFPA is working to heal the damage to women created by the Bush administration’s refusal to fund its share of UNFPA for five straight years. The editorial concluded: “They provide an outlet for Americans to contribute to the crucial work the Bush administration disdains. Advancing the status of women is a human right that will enhance the health, safety, and freedom of all people.” Read: Boston Globe

YEMEN: Workshop on Women and Development in Amran

Althawra News reported December 4 that a workshop on women and development was organized within the framework of a project on reproductive health in cooperation with UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund. The aim of this workshop was to provide the 23 participants with skills and essential experiences pertinent to the development of women in Yemen and promote her role in the political, economic, social, and cultural fields in all life aspects. Read: althawranews/Ar

VIETNAM: Country to Pilot U.N. Reform Program

Nhan Dan reported December 8 that at a joint press conference by Cao Viet Sinh, deputy minister of planning and investment and Kernal Dervis, UNDP general director and head of the U.N. Development Group, announced Vietnam as one of the first seven countries in the world to pilot United Nations reform at the country level. The story noted that the objective of the "One UN Initiative" is to move beyond coordination towards "One United Nations." For the participating agencies and programs (currently UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA, UNV and UNAIDS), this includes working toward one program, one office, one leader, one budget and one set of management practices and common service. Read: Nhan Dan, Voice of America, UN News Centre, Reuters  

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