UNFPA IN THE NEWS—MARCH 4-10, 2006

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

The media took note of International Women's Day (IWD) observations around the world. UN News Centre reported March 8 that among many statements issued from the U.N., UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid called for greater action to involve women in decision-making. Read: UN News Centre

Bangladesh: Daily Star reported March 10 that at a discussion with the Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) marking IWD, UNFPA representative Suneeta Mukherjee said gender equity is key to eradicating poverty. The story noted UNFPA has been providing technical support to offer reproductive health service to women workers since 1998, said M.A. Alamgir, BGMEA project director. UNFPA also provides medicine and healthcare advice for garment workers from three healthcare centers established by the BGMEA. Read: Daily Star

Bhutan: Keunsel reported March 10 that during IWD observances, Her Majesty the Queen, Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck, the UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador, said, “Today, as we celebrate our solidarity with the women of the world, we remember millions of women and girls affected by poverty, natural disasters, conflicts and those whose rights are being violated.” She added, “It is my firm belief that no society could truly enjoy peace and prosperity without the full participation and contribution of women.” Read: Keunsel

Ethiopia: The Ethiopian Herald reported March 7 that at an IWD event, UNFPA Representative Dr. Monique Rakotomalala introduced a newly published booklet – Power of Two Feet – glorifying the successful Ethiopian female athletes. Read: Ethiopian Herald

Fiji: Fiji Times ' March 8 story on an IWD event mentioned UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid's IWD statement. Read: Fiji Times

Georgia: The March 3 issue of Georgia Today reported that at an IWD event, First Lady Sandra Roelofs-Saakashvili met with local women under the sponsorship of a reproductive health project organized by UNFPA. Tamar Khomasuridze, the Assistant Representative of UNFPA in Georgia was quoted as saying: “UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is an international development agency that promotes the right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity. UNFPA/Georgia office has been providing assistance to Georgia since 1993. The main areas of its assistance include RH, youth, prevention of HIV/AIDS and STDs.” Read: Georgia Today

Guatemala: Cerigua reported March 7 on IWD in Guatemala and quoted UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid who said gender equality should be reflected in national legislation and result in gender-sensitized budgets. Read: Cerigua

Haiti : Le Matin reported March 9 on IWD in Haiti and mentioned UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid's IWD message.

Jamaica: Jamaica Observer reported March 8 that at an IWD event, a statement by UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, was read and called for greater action to involve women in the decision-making at all levels. "No enduring solutions to society's most pressing problems can be found without the full empowerment of women," she said. Read: Jamaica Observer

Kosovo: Kosova sot and Zeri reported March 8 on IWD festivities and also mentioned UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid's IWD statement.

Malawi: Angola Press Agency reported March 9 that Malawi commemorated IWD by opening its first rehabilitation center for abused women and children. UNFPA Resident Representative in Malawi , Esperance Fundira, said it was imperative for Malawi to look into the recent increases in gender based violence in the country. "The situation has gotten out of proportion in Malawi whereby cases of incest, rape, killing of spouses and defilement of infants are reported daily," she said. Fundira said the UNFPA and Malawi 's other cooperating partners were pushing for the passage of a bill on gender based violence that was expected to be tabled in parliament next month. "We are presently sensitizing parliamentarians, chiefs and religious leaders as a starting point to sensitize the nation on the bill and the negative effects of gender based violence," Fundira said. Xinhua General News Service also reported on this story on March 8. Read: Angola Press Agency

Morocco: Morocco Times reported March 8 that Morocco 's Princess Lalla Meryem, President of the National Union of Moroccan Women, presided in Rabat over an IWD ceremony that highlighted the signature of three solidarity conventions. The first convention was signed by Rabiâa El Mrini, first vice-president of the UNFM, the Minister of Health Mohamed Cheikh Biadillah, and Georges Georgi, UNFPA representative in Morocco . Read: Morocco Times

Namibia: The Namibian reported March 8 that at an IWD event, UNFPA Representative in Namibia Nuzhat Ehsan said that while it was commendable that Namibia had placed women in key positions within cabinet, most Namibian women were still not in a position to decide freely on key issues that affect their lives because they lacked both the opportunity and the resources to do so. Ehsan described the situation as a, "A sad manifestation of this is gender-based violence. Read: The Namibian

Nepal: Rising Nepal reported March 9 that women's rights advocates in Nepal marked IWD with a seminar organized by Civil Servant Wives Association. At the seminar,
UNFPA Representative Junko Sajaki said that no development is possible without women's participation and the stress should be given for equality of sexes and the discrimination in sexes should be abolished. Read: Rising Nepal

Pakistan: Agence France-Presse reported March 8 that IWD in Pakistan was observed with around 3,000 people attending a rally led by Mukhtaran Mai whose gang rape on the orders of a tribal council triggered an international outcry. The story noted in Islamabad , UNFPA launched a compendium on gender statistics and the Ministry of Women's Development arranged a march to the parliament building. Read: Agence France-Presse, Daily Times

The Pakistan Newswire reported March 8 that during a book launch for "Compendium on Gender Statistics,” organized by UNFPA on IWD, an adviser to the Prime Minster on women's development, Nilofar Bakhtiar, said the government is determined to empower women politically, economically, legally and socially. She mentioned that legislation – such as the passage of the honor killing bill – is underway in the parliament to empower women legally. In addition, the story noted that ten crises centers and ten district resource centers are already in position and yielding positive results, adding that another ten are being added by the end of June.

Xinhua General News Service's March 8 story on the "Compendium on Gender Statistics” focused on the statistics on women in both rural and urban Pakistan who are getting married later. "This compendium is very useful because the gender- disaggregated data and indicators will help the government and international donors to better allocate resources and invest in areas that benefit women. It will also provide the necessary data to support the government towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals, especially Goal 3 which is related to gender equality and women's empowerment." said UNFPA Representative in Pakistan Dr. France Donnay.

Papua New Guinea: PNG Post-Courier reported March 8 that for IWD, many women in Papua New Guinea honored the successes of women as well as to acknowledge their contribution to the well-being of mankind. The story cited UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid's message that said no enduring solutions to society's most pressing problems can be found without the full empowerment and participation of women.

Russia: Agence France-Presse reported March 7 that women may be rising to the heights of power for the first time in many countries in the world, but they are going nowhere fast in Moscow . "Women do not take part in decision-making in Russia ," Lidya Bardakova, UNFPA assistant representative, said at a press conference held on the eve of International Women's Day. "They are not in the government itself nor in the upper ranks of government agencies or federal services," she said. Read: Agence France-Presse

Tunisia: Le Renouveau reported March 7 that during a press briefing on IWD, UNFPA assistant representative Mourad Ghachem said that while the status of Tunisian women is among the most advanced on the continent, even more progress can be made.

Zambia: The Post reported March 6 that a press briefing on IWD featured a panel discussion with Faustin Yao of UNFPA, Alice Ouedraogo of ILO, Hachim Koumare of ECA/CA and Fatma Samoura of WFP. Read: The Post

Zimbabwe: IRIN reported March 7 that rising gender-based violence in Zimbabwe has rekindled calls by women's and children's rights groups to hasten the enactment of a seven-year-old bill seeking to curb domestic violence. Backed by the Ministry of Women's Affairs and Community Development and UNFPA, rights organizations have mounted a widespread campaign against domestic violence on the eve of IWD. On March 8, The Herald also covered IWD events organized by UNFPA. Read: IRIN

MS. MAGAZINE NAMES TOP 10 STORIES ON WOMEN IN 2005

KLS Newsradio reported March 7 on Ms. Magazine's naming of top 10 stories on women in 2005. Number seven, noted as “most shameful,” is: The Bush administration for the fourth year in a row refuses to release congressionally-appropriated funding to UNFPA, United Nations Population Fund. Now totaling $136 million, these lost funds could have been used to save the lives of women, repair obstetric fistulas, prevent maternal mortality and illnesses. Read: KLS Newsradio

AFRICA: Tackling Africa 's Forecasted Population Bulge

Voice of America reported March 7 on Population Reference Bureau's estimates on Africa's population bulge: by the year 2050, demographers predict there will be 1.7 billion people living in sub-Saharan Africa . Experts, such as Fama Hane Ba, Director of the Africa Division at UNFPA, expressed concern that overpopulation will add monumental pressures to countries that are already too poor to provide basic services. Ba was quoted as saying: “One of the consequences is the tremendous challenges is to take care and to provide social services to this growing population. And I think that one of the major responsibilities of governments is to look at those trends and to integrate into their development plans and programs these current population trends so that they can plan well ahead of time for the social services like education, health. But it's also to create the economic opportunities and livelihood opportunities and employment opportunities to be able to find jobs and take care of their families." Ba revealed one strategy for educating African towns on population growth is getting powerful local African community and religious leaders involved to begin dialogue about the problem. "And, then, the next step is to ask them: don't they think that there is something that needs to be done? And we do believe you have a role to play because you are community leaders," she said. "And we know that you care about the situation of your population and the future of your population. So what do you think that you can do? And, believe me, they come up with very concrete proposals and they commit themselves and they are very, very active in all the countries that we've been working with them." Read: Voice of America

ASIA: Tougher Laws Passed to Protect Women

Agence France-Presse reported March 7 that Asian nations have been passing tougher laws to protect women from violence at home, but ingrained cultural taboos and limited resources still leave them vulnerable. From Afghanistan to Vietnam , activists believe the abuse of women remains unchecked. But much of it is hidden behind closed doors, making it impossible to gather precise figures. “It's epidemic," said Paul Greening, UNFPA program officer in Afghanistan , referring to the situation there. "It is not talked about, not seen, it is accepted," he said, noting that this kind of violence is typical in post-conflict situations but has been made worse in Afghanistan by the culture. In Indonesia , the world's most populous Muslim nation, authorities only started to recognize violence against women as a rights issue after the 1997 Asian financial crisis, said Martha Santoso Ismail, from the UNFPA in Jakarta . Read: Agence France-Presse

ETHIOPIA: Story on Obstetric Fistula

On March 5, The Washington Times ran an in-depth, front page story on obstetric fistula in Ethiopia . The story reported that in the U.S. Congress, Rep. Christopher H. Smith, (R-NJ) and Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) are both attempting to win U.S. funding to treat the condition. "No woman should have to live with this degrading condition," said Smith, who proposes channeling $5 million through USAID next year and $7 million the following year. The story noted that a rival measure, sponsored by Maloney, would steer $34 million through UNFPA, with the money earmarked exclusively for fistula care. Read: The Washington Times

On March 8 The Washington Times ran several letters responding to the March 5 story on obstetric fistula. A letter by UNFPA's Director Information and External Relations Division, Safiye Cagar, thanked The Washington Times for shedding light on obstetric fistula. Cagar noted: “Inspired by the work of the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia, the U.N. Population Fund launched a global Campaign to End Fistula in 2003 focusing on three key areas of intervention: prevention, treatment and rehabilitation for women after surgery. The campaign is now helping women in more than 30 countries in Africa, South Asia and the Arab region.” Cagar noted: “Ending fistula is a long-term goal that demands financial resources, political will, strong partnerships and concerted efforts. Together, we can restore health, hope and a sense of dignity to women living with this devastating condition. Together, we can make safe and healthy childbirth a reality for all women.”

In another letter, Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) also applauded The Washington Times and inserted: “I have introduced legislation that would contribute $34 million to the U.N. Population Fund (UNFPA) for its Campaign to End Fistula, which is almost half of what that organization is seeking from worldwide contributors over a five-year period. Passing this legislation would be a tremendous display of our nation's compassion. UNFPA has extensive experience in preventing and combating obstetric fistula and is already on the ground, working hard in every affected nation. Instead of reinventing the wheel, we should be reinforcing UNFPA's valiant efforts. Today is International Women's Day. It would be wonderful if we in Congress could agree to give the women afflicted with fistula worldwide a real reason to celebrate the occasion.”

GUINEA: HIV/AIDS Prevention Program

IRIN reported March 8 that last month the Guinea government with UNFPA launched a series of programs aimed at preventing the spread of the disease in the forest region of south-eastern Guinea . Dr. Bernadette Dramou, coordinator of UNFPA's HIV/AIDS program in Nzerekore said the agency's goal was to lay the groundwork so that AIDS treatment could ultimately be provided. "Primarily, this program is about prevention and socialization of people who live with HIV and AIDS," said Dramou. "What makes this program important is that it is a regional effort being jointly conducted in all the countries of the Mano River Union [Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone] and in Cote d'Ivoire ." Read: IRIN

INDIA: Female Feticide

Hindustan Times reported March 5 on India 's alarming situation of female feticide. The story noted that according to UNFPA, the normal sex ratio at birth is 950 girls born per 1,000 boys. Of the 13 MCD zones, six – South, Rohini, Najafgarh, Narela, Town Hall and Sadar Paharganj – have a sex ratio below 800. None of the zones has a ratio of over 900.

Pakistan Times ran a March 6 op ed by Dr. Sobia Nisar who wrote, “Although Pakistan is blamed every now and then for the atrocities practiced against women, the fact remains that the State of women in India is much worse.” Nisar cited a UNFPA report titled “Selective Abortion the Promise of Equality,” that revealed that parents in India are turning to modern methods of pre-natal sex selection, to dispose off unwanted girls, resulting in skewed female to male ratio. Read: Pakistan Times

KAZAKHSTAN: Upcoming Release of Human Development Report

Kazakhstan General Newswire reported March 7 that Kazakhstan 's parliament with UNDP and UNFPA was scheduled to feature the national human development report for 2005, "Older Generation in Kazakhstan : Looking into the Future."

NIGERIA: Young Girls Waiting for a New Life

The Swedish daily, Goteborgsposten ran a two-page story on March 8 from the Babbar Ruga fistula hospital in Nigeria , mentioning that UNFPA leads the first-ever global campaign to end fistula. Read (in Swedish): Goteborgsposten

NAMIBIA: U.N. Aid to Help Recover from Flood

UN News Centre reported February 8 that the U.N. is helping Namibia recover from flooding when a dam fed by eight rivers had to be opened last month to alleviate rising waters. The story noted UNICEF will provide an additional 10,000 water purification tablets to the southern African's country's Emergency Management Unit to address a shortfall and UNFPA will send hygiene kits to affected households. Read: UN News Center

PAKISTAN: Recovery and Reconstruction after Earthquake

The Pakistan Newswire reported March 8 that five months after the earthquake, the emergency phase is nearing its end as the aid community moves towards recovery and reconstruction. The story noted that among many aid agencies working to improve conditions, UNFPA is leading the gender taskforce, which has produced a Gender Checklist for Emergency Situations to ensure that gender concerns are integrated at the recovery phase of aid operations.

Balochistan Times reported March 6 that a briefing detailing the five-month progress after the earthquake hit Pakistan included UNFPA's Dr. France Donnay and Shehnaz Wazir Ali.

PAKISTAN: Project to Reduce Poverty and Women's Empowerment

Dawn reported March 9 that over half a billion rupees would be spent on poverty reduction and women's empowerment in rural areas over six years under the second phase of the Barani project. Mizanur Rehman of UNFPA noted that the ratio of under-weight births in the region was 32 percent against a population growth rate of 3.05 percent. About 27 percent of the total population lived in urban areas while 73 percent lived in rural areas. There were 45 hospitals, basic and rural health units and 277 midwives in 141 villages and city areas. Read: Dawn

SUDAN: Child-Friendly Spaces Needed for Displaced People

IRIN reported March 7 on the need for child-friendly spaces for Sudan 's displaced people to create a safe environment for children. Maha Muna, UNFPA emergency coordinator in Sudan , explained that in camps for refugees and displaced people around the world, there were many forms of violence that could be anticipated and prevented. She noted that when a woman who headed a household had to leave the camp to look for a job, work the land or collect firewood, her children would be left alone. "The oldest child will be responsible for the rest and will be vulnerable to exploitation," she said. "And that's why having opportunities for children to have education is a protection issue, fundamentally." Read: IRIN

SWAZILAND: Swaziland National Peer Education Youth Summit

Swazi Observer reported March 9 that during the opening of the Swaziland National Peer Education Youth Summit, UNFPA assistant representative Majourie Mavuso said HIV/AIDS is hitting Swaziland 's youth hard. Mavuso encouraged girls to stand their ground by saying no to sex. “The only challenge girls have is to create the space to say No! Know how a person can touch you and touch you right,” she added. “You have to define that right and never let people do that for you because it is your future (Ngoba Likusasa Ngelakho).” Read: Swazi Observer

SWAZILAND: Female Parliamentarians Propose Forming Women's Network

Swazi Observer reported March 9 that during the breakfast meeting for Women's Parliamentary Caucus, organized by UNFPA, Swaziland 's female parliamentarians presented a proposal to form a network to consolidate their objectives in parliament and other forums. UNFPA Regional Advisor on Gender Population and Development, Safiatu Singhateh, said it was important for all women parliamentarians to collaborate as is the case in many other African states. She said UNFPA supported many projects that emphasized on development of women representation in parliament. Read: Swazi Observer

YEMEN: Women National Committee's Third National Conference

Yemen Times reported March 9 that at the Women National Committee's third national conference for women, Hans Obdeijn, UNFPA representative, used the occasion to express donor organizations interest in development of Yemeni women. Read: Yemen Times

YEMEN: Project to Ensure Safe Childbirth at Home

Yemen Times reported March 6 that maternal mortality in Yemen is one of the highest in the world. With 84 percent of births in Yemen occurring at home, the Social Affairs and Labor Ministry issued a 2003 resolution to establish a project to save mothers during childbirth at home under Ministry of Health with support from UNFPA. Read: Yemen Times

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