UNFPA IN THE NEWS – FEBRUARY 4-10, 2006

FOURTH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ZERO TOLERANCE OF FGM

IRIN reported February 7 that during the fourth annual International Day of Zero Tolerance of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, executive director of UNFPA, said, "Today, during the next 24 hours, an estimated 6,000 girls will undergo the practice of female genital mutilation or cutting. I join many others in calling for an end to this practice, which violates the rights of women and girls and harms their sexual and reproductive health." IRIN noted that UNFPA's Obaid commended the efforts of people who are working to end the practice, and noted that change had to come from the communities engaging in the practice, as traditions were often stronger than law. "Perhaps more than any other issue, female genital mutilation or cutting has taught us that change cannot be imposed from outside," she said. "It must come from within." UN Radio broadcasted an interview with UNFPA's Aminata Toure on February 7 who noted the FGM issue is still unfamiliar to most of the world. Read: IRIN

BULGARIA: Training Held on Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health

BTA reported February 6 that George Lozanov, Mira Badgeva, Ivan and Andrey from “Sblasak” (“Clash”) are among the teachers” who trained young people from 56 schools throughout the country how to become good journalists, and communicate messages related with safe behavior. The training, financed by UNFPA, was held to improve sexual and reproductive health of Bulgarian youth.

INDIA: Actress Calls for Strict Implementation of Sex Determination Laws

Chennai Online reported February 5 that at the launch of “Beti,” an awareness campaign against female feticide supported by UNFPA, actress Shabana Azmi stressed the need for strict implementation of laws protecting the girl child. She suggested that if the license of doctors who took part in sex determination were revoked, it would prove a serious deterrent and prevent future occurrences. Read: Chennai Online

JAMAICA: Secondary Schools Urged to Follow Sexual Education Curriculum

Jamaica Gleaner reported January 9 that at the UNFPA Regional Youth Advisory Group meeting, Vice-President of the National Secondary Students Council Tamian Beckford urged the Ministry of Education to insist that all secondary schools adopt the Reform of Secondary Education curriculum. According to him, some schools are not following the curriculum and as a result, the HIV and sexual reproductive health programs are not being pursued. Read: Jamaica Gleaner

LATIN AMERICA: More Attention Need on Latin America

Mexidata.info ran a February 6 op ed, “ Venezuela and the Duping of Latin America,” by Jerry Brewer, vice president of Criminal Justice International Associates , on the lack of international attention being paid to the Latin America region. In the op ed, Brewer cites UNFPA figures that show some 222 million people are poor in Latin America and the Caribbean, more than 43 percent of the region's population, with 96 million living in extreme poverty. Read: Mexidata.info

MIDDLE EAST: Obaid to Speak at Jeddah Economic Forum 2006

Arab News reported February 7 that Anwar Ibrahim, former deputy prime minister of Malaysia , and Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, executive director of UNFPA, are scheduled to speak at plenary sessions at the Jeddah Economic Forum 2006. Read: Arab News

NIGERIA: Seminar for Media on Population and Development

The Daily Independent reported February 8 that about 50 editors are scheduled to attend UNFPA's 5 th annual seminar on population, media and development on February 9. The goal of the seminar is to sensitize the editors on issues such as reproduction health, population and gender. Read: Daily Independent, The Tide

PHILIPPINES: Development Needed to Ease Bagio's Strain on Infrastructure

The Manila Times reported February 10 that reviving the "BLIST" program, which refers to towns in Baguio, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan and Tuba, will decongest Baguio and ease the city's water, garbage and pollution problems. Manila Times reported that UNFPA, in a study with Population Commission, recommended the development of the towns surrounding Baguio. Read: Manila Times

VIETNAM AND NEW ZEALAND: Health Priorities

Vietnam News Agency ran a February 6 interview with New Zealand's ambassador to Vietnam, Michael Chilton, who explained the priority areas of cooperation between the two countries. Chilton said in the health sector, New Zealand Agency for International Development is supporting a major maternal and child health project, implemented by UNFPA and the Binh Dinh Department of Health. Read: Vietnam News Service

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