UNFPA IN THE NEWS — NOVEMBER 4-10, 2006
U.N. ADVISORY PANEL TO PROPOSE REFORMS TO WORK AS ONE
The Daily Yomiuri reported November 5 that an high-level advisory panel to the U.N. secretary general is set to propose drastic reform plans to eliminate duplicating functions and operational ineffectiveness of U.N. bodies that are in charge of development assistance and humanitarian aid programs for developing nations. The panel’s report, titled, "Delivering as One," calls for a breakthrough of the current situation in which similar projects are implemented in each developing nation involved in the absence of coordination between U.N. agencies such as UNDP, UNFPA and UNICEF. Read: Daily Yomiuri, UN News Centre
AFRICA: Lack of Safe Motherhood “Unacceptable”
Voice of America reported November 6 that at an Africa population meeting in Ghana, experts called the large numbers of women who continue to die from complications of pregnancy and childbirth “unacceptable.” UNFPA Country Representative in Ghana Makane Kane called for action in addressing the problem. He said, “We have enough evidence of what works and at what cost. The majority of countries have already successful but limited projects to reduce maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity. It is time…to ensure universal access to maternal health services in as many countries as possible." Read: Voice of America
ARMENIA: Preparatory Meeting Held on Demographic Policy
ARMINFO News Agency reported November 6 that the Ministry of Trade and Social Issues, UNFPA and the International Center on Human Development hosted the 4th stage of public discussions to draft a demography policy. The Ministry of Labor and Social Issues of Armenia together with UNFPA will implement a "Population Strategy and Development" program in 2005-2009.
ASIA AND PACIFIC: Greater Efforts Called to Prevent and Treat HIV/AIDS among Pregnant Women and Newborns
Associated Press reported November 6 that at the first Asia-Pacific Joint Forum, the U.N. called for greater efforts to prevent and treat AIDS among pregnant women and newborns in the Asia-Pacific region. During the conference, the delegates promoted a strategy for the prevention of primary HIV infection in mothers and young children. “Linking HIV prevention efforts with reproductive health care can strengthen and improve access to both,” said Dr. Chaiyos Kunanusont, an adviser to UNFPA. "Millions of women who don't know their HIV status have an unmet need for effective contraception. Integrated services would enable them to protect themselves and also reduce HIV transmission to their children," Kunanusont said. Read: Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, UN News Centre
BANGLADESH: Political Will Needed to Improve Life of Slum Dwellers
The Daily Star reported November 7 that experts at a roundtable the day before underscored the need for political commitment to improving the condition of urban slum dwellers. They also called for transparency and accountability of policy implementing agencies, including government, non-government and donor organisations, towards the community beneficiaries. The Department of Population Science, Dhaka University, in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund organized the roundtable, titled 'Improving slum dwellers' lives: What options do we have?' Read: The Daily Star
BRAZIL: Brazil Praised for Investment and Distribution of Condoms
NOTICIAS.INFO reported November 8 that UNFPA praised Brazil’s government for increasing public investment to buy and distribute condoms to prevent HIV/AIDS. Read: NOTICIAS.INFO
BULGARIA: On-line Consulting Project for Youth
Sofia News Agency reported November 9 that youth members of the Association of Bulgarian Psychologists launched a project for on-line consulting project with the Sofia University and New Bulgarian University. Read: Sofia News Agency
INDIA: Maternal Mortality Rates Decreased in Madhya Pradesh
Hindustan Times reported November 5 that at a meeting to review health programs, Public Health and Family Welfare Department director Dr. Yogiraj Sharma said maternal mortality rates in Madhya Pradesh has come down to 379 (2003) from 498 in 1998, but cautioned against complacency in the efforts. The story noted that Girish Deshpande from UNFPA was present for the meeting.
IRAN AND AFGHANISTAN: Afghans Attend CensusTraining
Mehr News reported November 7 that Afghan trainees from Afghanistan’s Central Bureau of Census attended a training in Iran. The students are being trained by Iranian experts in the course of Iran’s Sixth Census of Public and Housing currently conducted across the nation. The training is made possible through UNFPA. Read: Mehr News
MADAGASCAR: Promoting Reproductive Health in Medical School Curricula
Les Nouvelles reported November 10 from a "day of reflection" at the school of medicine in Ambatofotsy, where professors and researcehrs met with UNFPA experts to disuss how to strenghten the field of reproductive health in the study of medicine. The day was part of a larger effort by UNFPA to address the Millennium Development Goals.
MADAGASCAR: UN Youth Summit
Le Quotidien ran an article November 10 by Marie Sandra Ramonjison, Special Youth Fellow with UNFPA in New York, who had interviewed Sarindra Rajaoarisoa from Madagascar, one of the 34 youth delegates sponsored by UNFPA to attend the UN Youth Summit in October. Sarindra, engaged in the field of adolescent reporductive health, said the summit had been an opportunity for youth activists form all over the world to meet and share experiences. Read: Le Quotidien
MALAWI: Family Planning Association Denies Abortion Service Abuses
The Daily Times reported November 9 that officials from the Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPMA) denied allegations that the association’s clinics across the country are rampantly used by young girls to abort pregnancies. The National AIDS Commission, UNFPA and JICA are some of the organizations that fund FPMA’s projects. Read: Daily Times
MALAYSIA: AIDS Transmission No Longer Confined to Homosexuals
New Straits Times reported November 7 that at a forum organized by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA and UNAIDS, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Chua Soi Lek said the transmission of HIV/AIDS is no longer largely confined to homosexual relations. Dr. Chua said heterosexual transmission having increased from 4.9 percent of all cases in 1990 to 22.2 percent last year. The government will spend about RM300 million in the next five years on AIDS prevention. Read: New Straits Times
MONGOLIA: New Service Launched for Adolescents
Ulaanbaatar Times Daily reported November 8 that with technical and financial support of UNFPA, the Mongolian Federation of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is introducing a new service package on RTI and STIs prevention for young people through the “Adolescent Future Threshold” health centers.
MOZAMBIQUE: Nordic Goodwill Ambassadors Visit Mozambique
Noticias reported November 8 that four Nordic Goodwill Ambassadors for UNFPA visiting the country from 6 to 10 November, have promised to encourage their countries to increase their assistance to Mozambique for projects that address women. The four ambassadors visited the capital Maputo and have been traveling to Inhambane and Gaza provinces to see for themselves the rehabilitation of the rural hospitals and to know how UNFPA and the government are developing joint programmes.
NIGERIA: Gender Issues Mainstreamed to Enhance National Development
This Day reported November 5 that UNFPA’s country office in Nigeria is currently training 150 program managers to mainstream gender issues in their programs to enhance national development. The managers are from the 15 states where UNFPA is assisting the federal government in population and development as well as six federal agencies. According to UNFPA’s national program adviser on gender, Raheemat Momodu, the focus is on the effective implementation of the program of action from the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development, as well as to hasten the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Read: This Day
PARAGUAY: Launch of 2006 UNFPA SWOP REPORT
Diario Última Hora reported November 6 on UNFPA’s 2006 SWOP report, which identified massive migration of nurses, midwives and doctors from the poorest countries to wealthier countries as one of the problems.
La Nación reported November 6 on UNFPA SWOP report that emphasized the contributions of women rank second to that of male migrants.
ABC Color reported November 9 on the launch of the 2006 UNFPA SWOP report.
PHILIPPINES: ZOTO Celebrates 36th Anniversary
Philippine Daily Inquirer reported November 8 that at the 36th anniversary of the founding of The Samahan ng Mamamayan-Zone One Tondo, Inc. (Zoto), speeches were given by UNFPA, the European Union Delegation to the Philippines and the Save the Children Sweden Program in the Philippines. Read: Philippine Daily Inquirer
PHILIPPINES: Filipino Doctors and Nurses Care for Ageing Worldwide
Asia Pulse reported November 6 that the emerging ageing problem in overseas countries stands to benefit tens of thousands of Filipino migrant workers. The story quoted UNFPA Representative in Thailand G. Giridhar as describing the migration of Filipino nurses as a "huge phenomenon" in Thailand. Giridhar also said migration is increasing in Thailand due to its low cost living. "Filipino doctors and nurses even don’t know what will happen to them across the borders, but they just pack up for economic reasons," Giridhar said.
SUDAN: UNFPA Delegation Arrives to Prepare for Upcoming Census
Suna News Agency reported November 4 that the governor of the Upper Nile State, Dak Dob, received a UNFPA delegation to prepare for the upcoming population census in Southern Sudan.
UNITED STATES: UNFPA’s Pamela DeLargy Speaks about Women Refugees
Palm Beach Daily News reported November 5 that Pamela DeLargy, chief of UNFPA’s humanitarian response unit, spoke about the plight of women refugees around the world during the fourth annual In the Company of Women luncheon at the Kravis Center in Palm Beach, Florida. The story noted that the event, organized by Planned Parenthood of Greater Miami, Palm Beach and Treasure Coast Inc., the Executive Women of the Palm Beaches, the National Coalition of 100 Black Women and the Women's Chamber of Commerce, seeks to raise awareness of women's issues and spur action. Read: Palm Beach Daily News
 Back to top
|
