UNFPA IN THE NEWS — OCTOBER 7-20, 2006

U.N. REPORT ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN WORLDWIDE

Inter Press Service’s October 9 story on the U.N. study on gender violence mentioned that UNFPA has estimated that 5,000 women are murdered by family members each year worldwide in "honor killings" – crimes against women in the name of safeguarding "honor" within the family or the community. In response to a question on the rise in violence due to a lack of political will or financial resources, UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Obaid said, "It is a combination of the two." She said, "We strongly believe that the U.N. system and all other donors should provide increased resources for national action plans to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls. This, however, requires firm political commitment by governments at the highest level to condemn violence against women and to take action to eliminate it." Read: Inter Press Service

UN News Centre reported October 9 that UNFPA’s Obaid welcomed the U.N. study and lamented the fact that “far too many women are subjected to violence and made to feel shame.” She said: “It is time to end tolerance and complicity. We cannot make poverty history unless we make violence against women history. We cannot stop the spread of HIV unless we stop discrimination and violence against women and girls.” Read: UN News Centre 

Associated Press reported October 10 that in response to a U.N. report on domestic violence and rape worldwide, UNFPA Executive Director said, "We cannot make poverty history unless we make violence against women history.”

WORLD POVERTY DAY OBSERVED

Voice of America ran an October 17 story on World Poverty Day that focused on improving maternal health care for women as one of the keys to reducing poverty. The story featured UNFPA Africa Director Fama Ba who said while money has been spent on new hospitals and clinics, many developing countries have a hard time keeping staff from leaving for jobs in wealthier countries. "They are facing the outflow of health personnel going to the North," she said. "You can go to some health facilities and you don't find anybody to attend to those people. And this has a consequent impact on the increasing levels of maternal mortality in many areas." Spending money on women's health and family planning is sound economic policy. "It is confirmed by many studies that investing in reproductive health and family planning is absolutely critical to empowering women and to have them contribute their full potential to the development of their countries," said Ba. Read: Voice of America

Medical News Today (UK) quoted Thoraya A. Obaid from her opening address at the 5th International Dialogue on Population and Sustainable Development, held in Germany.  "Today, on the UN's International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, we appeal to everyone to commit themselves to the fight against poverty," said Ms. Obaid, stressing that  good reproductive health has positive effect on all areas of personal and social development.
"Rapid population growth is triggering a spiral of poverty in poor countries. The promotion of family planning is therefore a key challenge in the fight against poverty in these countries."  At the meeting, experts in international development cooperation, economics and science discussed issues including the concrete effects of demographic development on the economy, the environment, health, women's rights and reproductive rights.

UNFPA STATE OF WORLD POPULATION (SoWP) REPORT 2006

Dominican Republic: Latinamerica Press reported October 6 that the national economy remains heavily reliant on remittances from abroad. Approximately 85 percent of those who traveled to Spain in the early 1990s were women, who make up the majority of domestic laborers. Up to 60 percent of immigrants from Latin America are employed in the domestic sector, according to UNFPA’s 2006 SoWP report. In Spain, specifically, the report states that 70 percent of immigrant women are domestic employees. Read: Latinamerican Press

India: Arab News ran an October 7 story saying that the 1.5-million-odd “Gulf wives” of Kerala, women whose husbands work in the Gulf region, have received a pat from UNFPA for their all-round ability to manage their families without their partners’ help. Acccording to the story, the UNFPA report titled “A Passage to Hope: Women and International Migration” praises the canny and flexible attitude with which they manage their families, educate their children, build houses and manage the money their better halves toiling in the Gulf send back. read: Arab News

Jordan: Jordan Times ran an October 11 letter by Safiye Cagar, director of information at UNFPA, in response to an earlier article, “Overpopulation and Numbers,” that mentioned UNFPA’s 2006 SoWP report “focuses on an array of migration facts and causes and how they are positively and negatively affecting millions of migrating people.” Cagar also noted: “[The report] also recommends greater cooperation among governments to make migration safer, fairer and a win-win for all. That is why UNFPA report calls for sound migration policies and the protection of human rights to ensure women’s migration becomes a true passage of hope.”

Mexico: La Jornada reported October 16 on UNFPA’s 2006 SoWP report on women and young people migrants. Read: La Jornada

Peru: La Republica reported October 17 a study of International Organization for Migration on Peruvian migrants of last August, and also the newspaper it speaks of UNFPA’s State of the World Population 2006 report. Read: La Republica

Serbia and Montenegro: B92 reported October 19 that at the launch of UNFPA’s 2006 SoWP report Lance Clark, UNFPA Coordinator in Serbia, revealed that UNFPA will open an office in Belgrade by the end of the year due to the need for attending to its elderly population structure and brain drain. UNFPA official Nikolai Botev added that there are several misunderstandings regarding the population problems in Serbia. Read: B92

Vietnam: Vietnam News Service reported October 17 that UNFPA launched its 2006 State of World Population report on women and international immigration. According to UNFPA, immigration has a dark side, especially for women who are the biggest sufferers of exploitation, ill-treatment, low wages, bad working conditions and have a high risk of HIV/AIDS infection.

Vietnam News Service reported October 12 that at UNFPA’s 2006 launch of the SoWP report, UNFPA Representative Carin Vanden Hor, said Vietnamese youth had been highly responsive to the Advocacy and Behavior Change Communication program, run by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union during the past 33 months. “In other countries it’s very difficult to ask the youth to join reproductive health activities,” said Hor. “Viet Nam can be proud because young Vietnamese have been active and enthusiastic with the program." Read: Vietnam News Service

Vietnam News Service reported October 10 that to coincide with UNFPA’s SoWP 2006 launch, UNFPA in Vietnam organized the second annual UNFPA Viet Nam International Film Festival. Read: Vietnam News Service

UNITED NATIONS NAMES NEW SECRETARY GENERAL

Manila Bulletin ran an October 10 column by Hern P. Zenarosa on the naming of South Korea's Foreign Minister Ban Ki Moon as the next U.N. Secretary General. Zenarosa called it “another missed opportunity for the Philippines to lead that world body.” The column mentioned that the late Executive Secretary Rafael M. Salas was chairman of UNFPA and concurrently Undersecretary General.

AFRICA: Network of African Communicators on Population and Development Formed

The New Era reported October 12 that in a bid to improve reporting on population and development issues, African journalists and traditional communicators formed a regional population group, called Network of African Communicators on Population and Development. The network, formed at a UNFPA-sponsored conference, aims to enhance both information and the technical capacity of African media professionals in population and development. Members also committed themselves to working together with families, communities, the youth, non-governmental and faith-based organizations, and governments to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and the objectives of the International Conference on Population and Development. Read: New Era

On October 18, This Day also reported on the creation of the network. The story noted that with the support of UNFPA, members of the network drew up a plan of action and ratified the association’s constitution. The conference was a follow-up to a 2005 workshop in Kinshasa towards the establishment of the regional network. Read: This Day, The Tide, Awareness Times, The Nation

AFRICA: Film Festival Slated on Ending Violence against Women

Angola Press Agency reported October 14 that filmmakers from around the African continent are invited to submit their films and documentaries for a film festival on ending violence against women in Africa. UNFPA, the Senegalese government, donors, NGOs, civil society and other partners are sponsoring the four-day festival beginning November 23. The festival coincides with 25 November, the "International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women." Suzanne Maiga-Konate, UNFPA representative in Senegal, said, “Violence against women affects every country in Africa and throughout the world." Read: Angola Press Agency

AFGHANISTAN: Needs Assessment Program Funded for Afghan Women and Girls

UN News Centre reported October 9 that Italy’s donation of half a million Euros to UNFPA will enable it to conduct a thorough needs assessment for women and adolescent girls in six provinces, including Baghlan. Read: UN News Centre

BANGLADESH: Development Partners Fund Health, Nutrition and Population Program

United News of Bangladesh reported October 15 that the Bangladesh government and the World Bank signed an agreement to provide $460 million for the country's Health Nutrition and Population Sector Program. The story noted that five development partners consisting of the UK's Department for International Development, the European Commission, the Netherlands Embassy, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and UNFPA have pooled their finances for the program in a multi-donor trust fund administrated by the World Bank. Read: United News of Bangladesh 

CAMEROON: Country Observes International Day of the Rural Woman

Cameroon Tribune reported October 17 that in observance of the International Day of the Rural Woman, Dr. Yaou, UNFPA representative said his organization aims to emphasize the rights of women and discrimination against them. Read: Cameroon Tribune 

ETHIOPIA: Plans for Development Work Announced

Ethiopian Herald reported October 15 that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that UNDP, UNICEF and UNFPA announced plans to donate $722 million to execute development work in Ethiopia in the coming four years. Read: The Ethiopian Herald

The Daily Monitor reported October 17 that under the agreement, UNFPA will purchase contraceptive commodities proposed for youth development and women in the rural areas with $11.5 million, while UNICEF will purchase medicine including vaccines, injection materials and anti-malaria equipments worth $13.5 million. Read: The Daily Monitor

GAMBIA: Workshop Held for Journalists

The Daily Observer reported October 16 that a two-day, UNFPA-sponsored workshop for members of the Network of Journalists on Population and Development took place at Girls Guide Headquarters in Kanifing. The workshop aimed to emphasize population and development issues. Read: The Daily Observer

GAMBIA: Youth Parliamentarians Trained on Population and Family Life Education Issues

The Daily Observer reported October 17 that 50 members of the National Youth Parliament were recently trained on population and Family Life Education issues at a workshop funded by UNFPA. The workshop aimed to discuss issues related to reproductive health and create awareness on population and family planning. UNFPA Assistant Country Representative Dr. Reuben Mboge said the youth parliament is a strategic partner because it instills responsible citizenship for young people and enables them to develop positive behaviors. Read: The Daily Observer

GERMANY: Germans Can Do Even More

Sueddeutsche.de ran an interview October 17 with UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya A. Obaid, on official visit in Germany, where she praised Germany as a donor to development, but said she "hoped the country will do even more". The interview focused on poverty and reproductive health. When asked to comment on poverty in Germany, Ms, Obaid said "poverty in Germany can not be compared with poverty in the developing world. Poverty is about more than not having enough money. It is also about not having access to education, health services or work; basic human rights". Read: Sueddeutsche.de

GHANA: Shelters Needed for Domestic Violence Victims

Public Agenda reported October 9 that at a forum organized by the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) and UNFPA on gender related violence in the Volta region, DOVVSU of the Ghana Police Service reported shelters are needed to accommodate victims of domestic violence. Read: Public Agenda

GUYANA: Drive on of Adolescent Youth Friendly Communities

Guyana Chronicle reported October 18 that  the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, in collaboration with UNFPA, opened a three-day workshop on the promotion of adolescent-friendly communities. Read: Guyana Chronicle  

INDIA: Review Conducted of Reproductive and Child Health Program

Indo-Asian News Service reported October 14 that representatives from UNFPA, the European Commission, the World Bank, the WHO, UNICEF and DFID conducted a second joint review of the implementation of Madhya Pradesh’s Reproductive and Child Health program. The officials toured the state and inspected the implementation of the program in the Bhopal, Raisen, Sehore and Hoshangabad districts. Read: Indo-Asian News Service

INDIA: The Benefit of Microfinance

The Times of India reported October 14 on the benefit of microfinance, the creation of Bangladesh’s visionary banker Muhammad Yunus, for women in India. The story noted that a document on microfinance, jointly published by UNFPA and the Microcredit Summit Campaign, says the most common mechanism used by microfinance institutions is group-based lending. Read: Times of India

INDIA: National Adolescent Program to Include Reproductive Health Program

Times of India reported October 10 that the Adolescence and Reproductive Sexual Health Program will be part of the National Adolescent Program initiated by HRD ministry, funded by UNFPA. Read: Times of India

KAZAKSTAN: Roundtable Held on Migration

KAZINFORM reported October 17 that a roundtable was held on migration prediction techniques and improvement of migration statistical recording. The seminar is initiated by Marketing and Analytical Research Centre under Kazyna Foundation JSC and UNFPA. Read: KAZINFORM

KENYA: Emergency Appeal for Increased Numbers of Somali Refugees

UN News Centre reported October 17 that the rapid surge of refugees fleeing to Kenya from war-torn Somalia has brought the 2006 total to more than 34,000 with estimates projecting the total could climb to 80,000 by the end of the year. The U.N. has issued an emergency appeal for $35 million to meet the increased needs over the next six months. The story noted that UNHCR said today it will lead the emergency response in collaboration with the WFP, UNICEF, UNFPA and the WHO, along with several non-governmental organizations. Read: UN News Centre

LIBERIA: UNFPA Representative Affirms Support for Ministry of Education

The News reported October 17 that at the start of a three week in-Country Life skills Training workshop hosted by the Ministry of Education Population Family Life Education at the Kakata Rural Teachers Training Institute, UNFPA Programme Officer Jim K. Tokpah pledged his organization's continued support to the Ministry of Education. Tokpah stressed the need to adopt the life skills approach in dealing with adolescent reproductive and sexual health problems and empower women and girls. Read: The News

MONGOLIA: Workshop Held with PRB and UNFPA

Mongol Messenger reported October 11 that a workshop was held with Population Reference Bureau and UNFPA to discuss research findings with policymakers.

NORTH KOREA: U.N. Official Interviewed on Humanitarian Situation

MSNBC featured an October 16 interview with Timo Pakkala, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in North Korea, who explained the humanitarian situation on the ground in North Korea. The story noted the U.N. has six different U.N. agencies in North Korea — UNDP, UNICEF, WHO, UNFPA, FAO and WFP. Pakkala described the the humanitarian situation in North Korea as “quite fragile” and pointed to the food security and the health situation. He added, “The country continues to require international assistance if it is to avoid widespread human suffering in the coming months and next year. Read: MSNBC

PAKISTAN: Access to Healthcare Improved for Many after Earthquake

Associated Press of Pakistan reported October 10 that many mothers and children in areas hit by last year's earthquake have better access to healthcare than before the disaster, after restoration of services due to joint efforts. The story noted that more than 5,000 women have already given birth in pre-fabricated mother and child health facilities erected by UNFPA. UNFPA is putting up 34 such facilities in Muzaffarabad and Mansehra districts, ranging from sophisticated maternity centers to basic health units. "Pregnancy and childbirth are always dangerous in remote areas," noted Dr. France Donnay, the UNFPA Representative in Pakistan. "The hardships suffered by the earthquake survivors have increased the risks women face. But lifesaving services are now widely available in the affected areas and, thankfully, women are using them more than ever before."

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: U.N. Agency Country Heads Volunteer to Be Tested for HIV/AIDS

The National reported October 19 that the heads of all U.N. agencies in PNG will undergo voluntary HIV testing and counseling on October 24. The move will coincide with the United Nations Day as part of efforts to increase HIV/AIDS awareness in the country and to encourage all Papua New Guineans to get tested. U.N. agencies in PNG include UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNAIDS and the WHO. Read: The National

PHILIPPINES: Country Participates in U.N. Global Stand-Up Campaign

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported October 19 that the U.N.’s Global Stand-Up campaign has set a new official Guinness World record for the largest number of people to pledge to work against extreme poverty. Dino Subingsubing, information coordination officer of UNFPA, said a total of 23.5 million worldwide stood up and pledged to fight extreme poverty. Of the number, 2.3 million were Filipinos, which Subingsubing explained that one in 10 people who stood up was a Filipino. Read: Philippine Daily Inquirer 

PHILIPPINES: Six Billionth Child Celebrates Seventh Birthday

Philippine Daily Inquirer ‘s October 16 column by D.J. Yap mentioned Lorrize Maes who was chosen by the Population Commission, the Council for the Welfare of Children and UNFPA, as the Philippine representative for the six billionth baby to mark the global population milestone celebrated her seventh birthday.

PHILIPPINES: PopDev Media Awards Open for Nominations

The Sun Star reported October 9 that the Philippine Legislators' Committee on Population and Development Foundation, Inc., together with UNFPA, has invited journalists to participate in the Second Annual PopDev Media Awards. The award aims to pay tribute to reporters nationwide who have produced, written and reported responsible and exemplary news and feature articles on population and development during the year. Read: Sun Star

SEYCHELLES: Training Held on Country’s Population Policy

The Nation reported October 10 that a workshop conducted by UNFPA was held to train the Seychelles government’s Social Development Division on implementing the country’s population policy. Read: The Nation

SUDAN: Independent Inquiry Pushed for “Massive” Attacks on Civilians

UN News Centre reported October 9 that the U.N. human rights office called on the Sudanese government to order an independent inquiry into recent "massive" attacks by Arab tribesmen in Darfur that may have killed hundreds of civilians from "African" tribes. At the same time, UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA, OCHA and UNIFEM condemned a "massive upsurge" of rape and violence against women and children. In the past months, attacks on women and girls, both within and outside camps for the displaced, have soared, the agencies stressed. Read: UN News Centre, Angola Press Agency

Voice of America reported October 9 that U.N. agencies say women and children in Darfur who are victimized often do not have a reliable legal system to turn to when they report being raped. “Given the complexity of the situation, and the violence of the situation, I think, all these systems simply are not sufficient to deal with the magnitude of the problem,” noted Pamela Delargy, the chief of humanitarian response at UNFPA. “And, despite the good will of many local authorities in Sudan, the overall judicial and legal system is not very functional in Darfur right now.” Read: Voice of America

SWAZILAND: UNFPA Names Country Representative

Times of Swaziland reported October 11 that UNFPA Country Representative Aisha Camara-Drammeh presented her credentials to Swaziland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Camara-Drammeh said she was pleased UNFPA had established an office in Swaziland.

SYRIA: Vehicles to Be Used in Upcoming Census

Suna News Agency reported October 10 that the Central Statistic Organization announced the availability of vehicles for the coming population census in the northern states. The Senior Technical Counselor of UNFPA in Sudan said the announcement was part of the U.N. commitment to support the population census in Sudan.

THAILAND: Pfizer Launches Campaign to Promote Medical Check-Ups

The Nation reported October 17 that Pfizer Thailand launched a Bt20-million nationwide campaign called "Don't Wait Till It's Too Late", using actress Ann Thongprasom, to encourage younger people to take their parents for medical check-ups. Manu Sawang-jaeng, country manager for Thailand and Indochina for Pfizer (Thailand), mentioned a recent UNFPA publication that revealed the number of people aged 60 and above in Thailand would increase by almost 50 per cent in only 10 years, and double in 20 years.

THAILAND: “Elderly Explosion” Confirmed

The Nation reported October 8 that Thailand is becoming an "elderly" society due to a significant growth of its population aged over 60 and a worrying decline in the birth rate. At a recent UNFPA conference in Bangkok, demographers at Mahidol University's Institute for Population and Social Research reported it has observed and confirmed the signs of an "elderly explosion" in Thai society. Read: The Nation

THAILAND: Older Populations with HIV/AIDS Face Discrimination

The Manager reported October 19 that discrimination of elderly with HIV/AIDS have gotten a little bit better by support from aid agencies, including the latest HIV/AIDS and Older Persons Project in Northern Thailand by the Faculty of Nursing, Chiangmai University under support of UNFPA.

UGANDA: Integration Needed in Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV Services

The Monitor reported October 10 that family planning is estimated to have saved $193 per HIV infection. UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid added her voice to the urgency of the matter of service integration by saying: “We have no time to waste and you all know what HIV and AIDS means to each country of the region. Therefore it is essential that urgent action is taken to link HIV/AIDS efforts with sexual and reproductive health." Read: New Vision

UGANDA: Gender Minister Says FGM Promoters Should Be Arrested

New Vision reported October 8 that Uganda’s State Gender Minister Hajjati Rukia Isanga Nakadama said people promoting female genital mutilation (FGM) in eastern Uganda should be arrested. The story noted she made the statement at a campaign sponsored by UNFPA and REACH on the fight against FGM. Read: New Vision

UNITED STATES: Responses to U.S. Withholding of UNFPA Funds

The Daily Times ran an October 9 editorial on President Bush’s fifth consecutive decision to withhold U.S. funding from UNFPA. The editorial concluded: “This fund helps needy countries formulate policies and strategies in support of sustainable development. It is a worthwhile organization. It helps with kindness, not gun or coercion. There is no justifiable reason for the United States to continue to withhold funds that would help UNFPA in its humanitarian work.” Read: Daily Times

The Cincinnati Enquirer ran an October 15 letter by reader, Brian Myres, who wrote: “Two votes by Rep. Geoff Davis show a lack of basic humanitarian principles. First, he voted for allowing states to eliminate family planning practices under Medicaid, thereby forcing pregnancies in poverty-stricken women; of course the public will pay dearly for this. He then voted to keep funding from UNFPA for birth control, life-saving obstetric care, and basic reproductive health services for the poor overseas.” He concluded: “This essentially forces pitifully poor people into having more and more babies that they cannot support, and more mothers dying from lack of care. Ah, compassionate conservatism...a true oxymoron!” Read: Cincinnati Enquirer

UZBEKISTAN: Country Celebrates U.N. Day

UzReport.com reported October 17 that UNFPA in Uzbekistan joined other U.N. agencies and the international community in commemoration of the U.N. Day at Tashkent International School. Read: UzReport.com

VIETNAM: U.N. Agencies Pledge $7.5 Million to Central Highlands

Vietnam News Service reported October 17 that UNICEF, UNDP and UNFPA have pledged $7.5 million to improve investment strategies in the Central Highlands’ province of Kon Tum.

YEMEN: Fertility Still High

Yemen Times reported October 10 that new statistics from the National Population Council showed that Yemen receives six newborns per five minutes at a rate of 74 newborn per hour and 1700 newborns in a day. UNFPA representative in Yemen, Hans Obdeijn, said Yemen is predicted to rank sixth globally in 2006 in population growth rate.  He added that Yemen is characterized by one of the highest fertility rate in the world with 6.8 births per woman, and that nearly half of the Yemenis are younger than 15 years.

YEMEN: UNFPA Reveald New Draft Country Program Finalized

Naba News reported October 9 that UNFPA Country Representative Hans Obidejin declared that the new draft of the country program action plan (CPAP) has been finalized. 39 governmental and non-governmental entities have showed interest in taking part in this program. Read: Naba News 

YEMEN: Five Day Workshop on Teachers Reference Document on Population

Yemen News Agency reported October 7 that at a five-day workshop on preparing a reference document for Yemeni teachers to guide students on population issues. Hans Obdeijn, UNFPA country representative, commended the work achieved by the Ministry of Education in integrating population issues in the school curricula, and expressed full support for UNFPA. Read: Yemen News Agency

Back to top