UNFPA IN THE NEWS—JUNE 24-30, 2006
FISTULA CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED IN LONDON
Reuters reported June 27 that Natalie Imbruglia, the Australian singer and actor, helped launch UNFPA’s fistula awareness and fundraising campaign in Britain. The campaign will appear on television, in newspapers, magazines and on the Underground rail network. The story noted that UNFPA launched the first global campaign in 2003 – today, the agency has programs in 35 countries. The Reuters story appeared in various news outlets in the U.K. and Australia.
AAP reported June 29 Imbruglia, who took two trips to Africa, saw how devastating obstetric fistula can be for poor women. “It just should not be happening, that women cannot safely have a child in this day and age,” Imbruglia said. “How can you not be compelled to want to draw attention to this? If you could help just one of these women, to me, it is giving that woman her life back.” Read: Reuters, ITN, AAP, The Guardian, World Entertainment News Network, SABC News
INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN CONFLICT
Adita reported June 28 that representatives of more than 30 countries participated in a recent symposium organized by UNFPA on sexual violence in armed conflicts. At the conclusion of the conference held in Brussels, participants signed an action plan promoting a zero tolerance policy on abuse. Read: Adita
Misiones published a June 28 op ed stating that a recent high-level meeting on reproductive health in Geneva between UNFPA, the WHO and other U.N. entities revealed yet again that the United Nations and NGOs manipulate and exaggerate numbers to finance their bureaucracies. Read: Misiones
BANGLADESH: Aid Figures Much Lower than Projected
The Financial Express reported June 28 that aid disbursements are likely to be relatively low in the outgoing fiscal year 2005-06, showing a yawning gap between the donors' commitment and the actual fund flow. According to the latest figures, the country received development assistance from donor countries and agencies amounting to $1.10 billion in the first 11 months of 2005-06, much lower than the projection about foreign aid receipt. Among the U.N. agencies, the WHO, UNFPA and UNICEF would provide 5.0 million, $8.0 million and $54 million, respectively. Read: Financial Express
BANGLADESH: Youth Fair on Adolescent Reproductive Health and Gender Issues
United News of Bangladesh reported June 25 that a three-day Adolescent Fair was held to educate youth and their guardians on reproductive health and gender issues. The fair was jointly organized by Sylhet district administration and District Information Office with assistance from the UNFPA-sponsored project, “Advocacy on Reproductive Health and Gender Issues through Department of Mass Communication.”
CENTRAL ASIA: Annual Session of the Executive Board
KAZINFORM reported June 26 that UNDP presented a report on human development in Central Asia at the annual session of the Executive Board of UNDP/UNFPA in Geneva City. Participants at the meeting noted that expansion of regional cooperation in trade, transport, water-energy complex and environmental protection would raise prosperity of Central Asian nations and enhance political stability in the region. Read: KAZINFORM
COSTA RICA: Public Health Records Far from Ideal
Nación reported June 28 that public health records are far from ideal. According to UNFPA’s State of World Population report, 14 million adolescents give birth with high risks of complications. Almost one fourth of all HIV-AIDS positives are minors of 25 years and half of the newly infected are young people between 14 and 24. Read: Nación
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Conference on Domestic Violence, Woman and HIV/AIDS
The Dominican Today reported June 27 that more than 1,500 representatives from private security firms around the country participated in a conference titled, “Reflection on the Domestic Violence, Woman and HIV/AIDS." The story noted that representatives from UNFPA and Family Gilka Melendez spoke at the conference. Read: Dominican Today
GUATEMALA: Population Reaches 13 Million
Prensa Libre reported June 30 that Guatemala’s population has reached 13 million. A UNFPA report revealed that Guatemala’s urban areas are lacking infrastructure and that the increase in population could weaken social services and lowers standards of living. Read: Prensa Libre
GUYANA: Countrywide Women’s Empowerment Workshop Held
Stabroek News reported June 29 that a series of women's empowerment workshops, hosted by the Ministry of Labor, Human Services and Social Security's Women's Affairs Bureau and UNICEF, were recently held countrywide to educate women on the dangers of gender-based violence and its links to HIV infections. Additional sessions were held in Regions 2,3,4,6 and 7 in collaboration with UNFPA from December 2005-April 2006 to equip women and youth with the tools to deal with social issues that affect their communities. Read: Stabroek News
INDIA: Health Centers to Be Established in ‘Bimaru’ States
UNI reported June 28 that state health resource centers will be set up in the eight 'Bimaru' states, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal and Chhattisgarh to strengthen and improve health services. Assistance to establish the centers will be provided by UNICEF, UNFPA, the European Commission and the Department for International Development. Read: UNI
JAMAICA: Emergency Contraception Use Low, Abortion Preferred
The Jamaica Observer reported June 26 that despite the introduction of the emergency contraceptive pill, Postinor 2, three years ago, a study prepared for the Ministry of Health's Family Health Services by Hope Enterprises Limited revealed that the demand for the drug is low, as some women prefer induced abortions. The study was a joint program on sexual and reproductive health by the Jamaican government, the European Council and UNFPA. Read: Jamaica Observer
MALAWI: Project Launched to Empower Youth in Fight against HIV/AIDS
The Daily Times reported June 26 that Banja La Mtsogolo and UNFPA launched a three-year, 2.5 million Euro project aimed at empowering youth to fight HIV/AIDS. At the launch of the project, UNFPA Country Representative Esperance Fundira said in the era of HIV/AIDS, marriage was not a safe place, adding that fewer than 10 percent of pregnant women knew their HIV status.
MALDIVES: High Number of Youth Engaging in Sexual Activity
The Evening Weekly reported June 27 that an initial survey by the Ministry of Health in association with UNFPA revealed a high number of youth engaging in sexual activity early in life.
NICARAGUA: 2005 Census Endorsed
El Nuevo Diario reported June 30 that Pedro Pablo Villanueva, UNFPA country representative in Nicaragua, said the results of the VIII population census are credible. Read: El Nuevo Diario
PAKISTAN: UNFPA and ILO Launch a Joint Program
Business Recorder reported June 29 that UNFPA and the International Labor Organization signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch a joint program to sensitize authorities to make them more responsive to the needs of their communities. Other objectives include coordinated efforts in combating child labor and provision of health services particularly in the earthquake-affected areas.
PHILIPPINES: Hearing on UNFPA-Supported Sex Education Program
The Manila Times reported June 29 that Sen. Pia Cayetano defied the Catholic Church by expressing her support for the Department of Education’s plan to include sex education in public high schools throughout the country. Cayetano, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, scheduled a hearing to discuss the sex education plan, which is a part of UNFPA’s family planning program. The initial hearing seeks to draw up an overview of existing policies and programs of the government and private sector on the different elements of reproductive health. “We have to establish first if existing programs have been able to carry out effectively the objective to educate people, promote awareness and deliver basic services related to reproductive health. Only then can we proceed into the details and identify which specific measures should be given priority,” Cayetano said. Read: Manila Times, Journal Group
PHILIPPINES: Archbishop Says Sex Ed “Better Taught by Parents”
Philippine Daily Inquirer reported June 26 that during an interview on Radio Veritas, Archbishop Paciano Aniceto, chair of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Episcopal Commission on Family and Life, said, the Department of Education’s controversial modules on sex education are a way to push the hidden agenda of UNFPA. Aniceto maintained that sex education was better taught by the parents to their children, in a mature atmosphere and in preparation for marriage.
SIERRA LEONE: HIV/AIDS Prevention Program Launched
The Concord Times reported June 27 that at the launch of the Sierra Leone Union’s HIV/AIDS prevention program, UNFPA Country Representative Banabas Yissa said the disease causes one of the most serious challenges in the country and called on the private security companies to teach their staffs about the disease. Read: Concord Times
SUDAN: Heath Minister under Fire for Promoting Condom Use in HIV/AIDS Fight
Sudan Tribune reported June 27 that Health Minister Dr. Tabitha Sokaya’s promotion of condom use to stem the country’s HIV crisis has led to calls for her dismissal by MPs from the ruling National Congress party. The story quoted UNFPA spokesman, Abubakar Dungus, as saying, “The male latex condom has proven to be the single most effective available technology to reduce the sexual transmission of HIV.” Read: Sudan Tribune
UNITED STATES: Warren Buffet’s $30 Billion Gift to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
The Washington Times reported June 27 on Warren Buffet’s $30 billion gift to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. "It's a big challenge for us to make sure this money gets used in the right way but one that we're thrilled about," Mr. Gates said at a press conference with his wife, Melinda, and Mr. Buffett at the New York Public Library. The story noted that the Gates Foundation has made major donations for research and medical treatment of AIDS and malaria, and has given millions of dollars for education. In addition, millions of dollars have been granted to the United Nations Foundation and UNFPA.
VIETNAM: U.N. Combines Three Country Programs
Vietnam News Service reported June 26 that Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF Toshiyuki Niwa said Vietnam has been chosen to implement U.N. pilot projects because of the country’s success in using official development assistance and endorsements from international organizations. Niwa also revealed that the U.N. plans to combine UNICEF, UNDP and UNFPA to raise the effectiveness of its programs in Vietnam. Read: Vietnam News Service
 Back to top
|
