UNFPA IN THE NEWS—MARCH 7-11, 2006

PUSH CONTINUES FOR A WOMAN TO LEAD U.N.

The Washington Post ran a March 15 op ed by Jessica Neuwirth, president of Equality Now, who criticized the United Nations for “lagging” and “missing the point” that women can serve as leaders at the highest level. She listed several possible choices for the UN Secretary-General’s job, including Nafis Sadik of Pakistan, former executive director for UNFPA. “Women's unequal access to positions of power in the United Nations hinders progress toward all the organization's goals, including equality, development and peace,” Neuwirth wrote. “The Security Council should take Mrs. [Eleanor] Roosevelt's wise words ‘close to home’ in choosing the next secretary general. It's time for a woman.” Read: The Washington Post

FUEL ALTERNATIVES DISCUSSED AT WOMEN’S COMMISSION FOR REFUGEES

Inter Press Service reported March 15 on the Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children's first-ever report on internally displaced women who risk their lives every day doing the simple task of collecting firewood to cook for their families. UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid raised the need for protection strategies in displaced and refugee situations worldwide. "Fuel alternatives and firewood collection are important aspects of prevention that urgently need to be addressed," she said. Read: Inter Press Service, Voice of America

BHUTAN: Nationwide Vaccination Campaign Launched

Keunsel reported March 16 that a week-long nationwide vaccination campaign for measles and rubella was officially launched by the UNFPA goodwill ambassador, Her Majesty Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck.

GHANA: Music Program to Raise Youth Awareness on HIV/AIDS

GhanaMusic.com reported March 11 on a music program, “MTV base Uncensored,” produced in association with UNFPA and Family Health International's YouthNet as a part of their efforts to disseminate positive messages about HIV/ AIDS and reproductive health issues among young people. Read: GhanaMusic.com

LEBANON: Women and Girls Subjected to Patriarchal Social Values

IRIN reported March 13 on women and girls in Lebanon who are at the mercy of patriarchal social values that leave many vulnerable to exploitation. Although Lebanese women can theoretically file charges against violent family members many are too afraid of divorce, ostracism or having their children taken away to report attacks. The story cited UNFPA’s 2002 nationwide survey of over 1,400 women aged between 14 and 80 years old. Of these, 494 – some 35 percent – had been exposed to some form of abuse, while 307 – 21 percent – knew of a family member who had been abused. In 65 percent of cases, the perpetrators were the husbands of the victim. Read: IRIN

MALAWI: NGOs Urged to Get Involved in Sexual and Reproductive Health

The Chronicle Newspaper reported March 13 that Senior Chief Lukwa of Kasungu has challenged NGOs to involve themselves in sexual and reproductive health issues in Malawi. Some of the well known healthcare providers and family planning organizations in the country are, Banja Lamtsogolo, Family Planning Association of Malawi and UNFPA. Read: The Chronicle Newspaper

NAMIBIA: Supplies for Flood Victims Arrive

The New Era reported March 14 on the arrival of goods to be distributed to the Mariental flood victims from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent. The story noted that in addition to other supplies, 330 households are expected to receive hygiene packs sponsored by UNFPA. Read: New Era

NICARAGUA: HIV/AIDS Prevention: Abstinence vs. Condom Use

El Nuevo Diario reported on March 15 that the use of condoms as a protection and prevention methods against HIV/AIDS continues to be rejected by the Nicaraguan Ministry of Culture, Education and Sports. The story noted that UNFPA is supporting Nicaragua with HIV/AIDS awareness activities targeting adolescents. However, as Honduras UNFPA Representative Allana Armitage points out, although many of the most HIV/AIDS affected countries of the region are in Central America, education policies still lack an integrated response to HIV/AIDS prevention.

NIGERIA: Preparations for Upcoming National Census

Agence France-Presse reported March 14 that Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, is about to embark on a controversial census. A March 15 story by Agence France-Presse reported that the European Commission has granted Nigeria $150 million for the March 21-25 population census. The story noted that UNFPA estimates Nigeria's 2005 population at 131.5 million. Read: Agence France-Presse, This Day

The Comet reported March 16 that Jayant Banthia, UNFPA technical adviser, explained to President Olusegun Obasanjo the census and housing’s methodology.

PAKISTAN: More Prefabricated Basic Health Units Scheduled for Construction

IRIN reported March 16 that in an attempt to meet the short-term health needs of local communities, the WHO has established 20 prefabricated basic health units in Pakistan’s earthquake-affected areas. The story noted that about 50 such units have been planned by UNICEF with another 22 scheduled to be built by UNFPA. Read: IRIN

PAKISTAN: First-Ever Women’s Expo Held

Business Recorder reported March 11 that for the first time in Pakistan history, over 100,000 women gathered at the Women’s Expo to celebrate their role as equal partners in the country’s social and economic progress. The story noted that government and non-government organizations that participated in the expo included Provincial Ministries of Women Development, UNESCO, WHO, UNFPA, Sindh Education Foundation, APWA, PAWLA, Bunyad, Aurat Foundation and School of Leadership. Read: Business Recorder

PAKISTAN: Gender Statistics on Unemployment Revealed

Business Recorder reported March 13 that a survey, “Compendium on Gender Statistics in Pakistan” jointly compiled by the Federal Bureau and Statistics and UNFPA, revealed that the volume of unemployment in Pakistan has declined by only 0.03 million during 2003-04 as compared to 2001-02 when it stood at 3.51 million – with male unemployment having increased more than females. The survey noted that female employment has scaled down across-the-board except in skilled agriculture and fishery workers, whereas male employment notched up in senior officials, managers, and bottom elementary occupations.

PHILIPPINES: National Conference on Population, Health and Environment

BusinessWorld reported March 16 that at the second National Conference on Population, Health and Environment, Zahidul A. Huque, UNFPA country representative, said, "There's still room for us to grow. We need to do much more." Huque cited the massive mudslide in Guinsaugon, Saint Bernard, and Southern Leyte last month as a "gruesome reminder of the links between a ballooning population, consequent poverty, ill-health, lack of education, and increasing pressure on environmental resources."

SWAZILAND: National Peer Educator Youth Summit

The Swazi Observer reported March 14 that at a three-day National Peer Educator Youth Summit, Chairperson of the Swaziland Youth Council (SNYC) Patrick Gamedze said: “We need to empower young girls to stop being lured by older men for cash, cell phones, airtime and flashy cars. The war against AIDS is not easy. There are a lot of challenges. We are faced with poverty and economic inequalities that force young girls into relationships with older men for gain.” The summit was organized by SNYC in partnership with Alliance of Mayor’s initiative for Community Action on AIDS at the Local Level with support from the Academy for Educational Development and UNFPA. Read: Swazi Observer

YEMEN: Minister Meets with UNFPA Representative

Yemen News Agency reported March 13 that Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Amatal-Razaq Humad met with UNFPA Representative in Sana'a Hanz Obedi to discuss cooperative efforts between the two bodies and reflect on achievements made by Yemen women under the Safe Child Giving program.

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