UNFPA IN THE NEWS — APRIL 30—MAY 6, 2007
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE MIDWIFE
Ethiopia: Angola Press Agency reported May 6 that on the International Day of the Midwife, UNFPA Representative in Ethiopia Monique Rakotomalala said immediate investment in Ethiopia’s midwifery schools could lower one of the world’s highest maternal mortality rates. "In a country where less than 6 percent of all deliveries are performed by skilled attendants, there is a dire need to invest in the training of skilled midwives," said Rakotomalala. Read: Angola Press Agency
Uganda: New Vision reported May 3 on the 20th anniversary of the Safe Motherhood Initiative. Complications from pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death among young women aged 15 to 19 in developing countries. The story noted that to commemorate the International Day of the Midwife on May 5th, UNFPA will pay tribute to midwives around the world. UNFPA called for greater investment in the training, recruitment, pay and working conditions of midwives. Read: New Vision
Yemen: Yemen Observer ran a May 5 interview with Su’ad Qasem Saleh, executive and financial manager of the National Association of Yemeni Midwives ahead of International Midwives Day. The association gained several experiences and achieved goals with the financial and technical support of donor agencies from USAID, the BHS project and the Extending Service Delivery project, as well as UNFPA. Read: Yemen Observer
BANGLADESH: Buddhist Community Religious Festival
United News of Bangladesh reported May 2 that UNFPA’s Country Representative in Bangladesh attended the Buddhist Community’s religious festival, Buddha Purnima.
BANGLADESH: Japanese Parliament Visits Development Projects
Business Recorder reported May 1 that members of Japanese Parliament will pay a five-day visit to Pakistan from April 30 to May 4, as part of a “Study Visit Program.” The delegation will observe the local projects, implemented by UNFPA, Family Planning Association of Pakistan and the government of Japan to see how Japanese Official Development Assistance contributes to Pakistan’s development.
BANGLADESH: Women Need to Be Involved in Decision-Making Process
United News of Bangladesh reported April 30 that at an international seminar on “Women in Decision Making,” Finance Adviser Dr. Mirza Azizul Islam underscored the need for women’s involvement in the decision-making process to achieve social and economic development goals. The story mentioned that UNFPA Representative Pornchai Suchitta also spoke at the function. Read: The Daily Star, The New Nation
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Norway Funds Dialogue on the Environment
Dominican Today reported May 2 on the Second International Conference on the Future of Dominican Republic and Haiti Relations. The Dominican Churches’ Social Service and the Evangelical Churches’ Dominican-Haitian Dialogue are organizing the conference with support from Norway’s Foreign Ministry, Norway Church Aid, Nature Conservancy and UNFPA. Read: Dominican Today
GHANA: Reproductive Health Kits Given to Buduburam Camp
Joy 99.7 FM reported May 3 that UNFPA, in collaboration with UNHCR, handed over eight sets of reproductive health kits to refugees at the Buduburam Camp to improve access to services and equip health workers to provide safe deliveries for women in their homes, reduce morbidity and mortality within the refugee community and facilitate the effective treatment of STIs. Dr. Makane Kane, UNFPA country representative, said his agency recognizes that refugees and persons in emergency situations have the same human rights, including the right to reproductive health and information. Read: Joy 99.7 FM
GUATEMALA: A Guide to Preserve Humanitarian Workers’ Health during Disaster
El Periódico reported May 1 on a guide for humanitarian workers to preserve their physical and mental health during and after a disaster. The article quotes UNFPA Representative in Guatemala on the increase in gender-based violence during disasters. UNFPA assisted in developing a self-help manual focusing on gender equality. Read: El Periodico
INDIA: Study Finds Adolescent Sexual Education Programs Guide Youth
Gulf News reported May 3 that Population First’s Knowledge, Attitude and Practice study, funded by UNFPA and the Maharashtra Government, reinforced the fact that adolescent sexual education programs lead to responsible behavior among youth.
IRAN: U.N. Activities Featured at the International Book Fair
IRNA reported May 5 that at Tehran's 20th International Book Fair, the U.N. Information Center displayed activities and responsibilities of WHO, UNIDO, UNODC, UNICEF, IOM, UNAIDS, the U.N. Reconstruction Program, UNIC, and UNFPA. Read: IRNA
ISRAEL: Meeting Held on International Aid
The Jerusalem Post reported May 3 on a half-day meeting at Tel Aviv University to discuss international aid. The meeting was organized by IsraAID, the Foreign Ministry, the Bnei Brith World Organization, and TAU's Hartog School of Government and Policy,. The story noted that over 500 people turned up, including representatives from UNICEF, UNDP, FAO, WFP, UNFPA. Read: The Jerusalem Post
MALAWI: 2008 Census Cost $13.2 Million
The Daily Times reported May 3 that the 2008 population and housing census will cost the National Statistical Office $13.2 million (about K1.8 billion), Commissioner of Statistical Charles Machinjili said. The story noted that pre-census activities are being done with support from UNFPA. Read: The Daily Times
MEXICO: Abortion Now Legal
La Jornada and Reforma’sMay 4 story quoted UNFPA Representative in Mexico Arie Hoekman as saying abortion is an extreme measure that is not even wanted by the woman who has one, however, the option now exists and therefore it is important that the interruption of the pregnancy happens under “safe conditions.” Read: La Jornada
Pulso’s May 4 story quoted UNFPA Representative for Mexico Arie Hoekman as saying it is a challenge for Mexico to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies among adolescents and to improve social benefits for the elderly. Read: Pulso
El Universal reported May 4 that the Secretary of Health Jose Angel Córdova Villalobos said that the Supreme Court will decide if doctors can refuse to perform abortions, based on their personal convictions. Abortion is now legal in Mexico’s Federal District. UNFPA Representative in Mexico Arie Hoekman said that the legalization of abortion will not affect birth rates, based on similar experiences in other countries. “Abortion is an option, and since it is, it is better that it is performed under safe conditions”, he said. Read: El Universal
MEXICO: U.N. Recognizes the Achievements of San Luis Potosi
El Sol de San Luis, El Mañana Valles and La Prensa reported May 3 that members of UNFPA’s Executive Board expressed their intention to promote social programs in San Luis Potosi as a model for fighting poverty in other countries. Read: El Sol de San Luis
NIGERIA: Anti-Abortion Group Criticizes the Use of Maternal Mortality Figures
This Day ran a May 1 opinion piece by Roland Ogbonnaya that mentioned the anti-abortion Heritage Network Nigeria said the “scary figures” about maternal mortality, deduced by the WHO, UNICEF and UNFPA, is "not an excuse to campaign for or smuggle the abortion law through the backdoor". Read: This Day
NORTH KOREA: Deadline for “External Inquiry” into U.N. Activities Approaching
The Wall Street Journal ran a May 3 editorial that mentioned that the deadline for an "external inquiry" into all U.N. programs in North Korea, including UNDP, UNICEF, WFP and UNFPA is approaching. Read: Wall Street Journal
PAKISTAN: Preparations for the National Census Underway
DAWN reported May 6 that the Population Census Organization is gearing up to hold a population and housing census in 2008. The Pakistan Institute of Development Economics in collaboration with PCO and UNFPA has so far produced 18 evaluation reports based on the 1998 census. Read: DAWN
PAKISTAN: UNFPA Deputy Executive Director Visits
Balochistan Times reported April 30 that during a meeting with UNFPA Deputy Executive Director Mari Simonen, Federal Minster for Social Welfare and Special Education, Zubaida Jalal, said the government’s policies and commitment to the needy have considerably reduced the number of poor. Simonen assured the minister of UNFPA's full support and praised the resilience of Pakistani people in the earthquake affected area.
PAKISTAN: National Forum on Women’s Health
The Business Recorder reported April 30 that the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Karachi and Pakistan National Forum on Women's Health in collaboration with UNFPA held a seminar, “Prevention and Treatment of Postpartum Complications (Fistula) in Pakistan” on April 30 at 3:00 pm at PMA House. Read: The NEWS
SIERRA LEONE: High Maternal Mortality Rate
IRIN reported April 30 that Sierra Leone has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. In developed countries, on average there are fewer than 10 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births. In Sierra Leone, the rate is nearly 200 times higher. “The maternal mortality rate in Sierra Leone is very high and more and more women continue to die," said Dr. Peter Sikana, a reproductive health specialist with UNFPA in Sierra Leone. "Most of those women die from labor, profuse bleeding and a good number of complications of pregnancy and infections after deliveries.”
SIERRA LEONE: NEWMAP Put on Global Development Map
The Concord Times reported May 1 that in recognition of Sierra Leone’s advancement of women, UNFPA promised to put the Network of Women Ministers and Parliamentarians (NEWMAP) on the global development map. Read: Concord Times
THAILAND: Policy Established to Promote Healthy Lifestyle for Older People
Thai News Service reported April 30 that the Ministry of Public Health is establishing a club for the elderly in each sub-district or tambon, across the country to promote a healthy lifestyle for older persons. Permanent Secretary for Public Health Prat Boonyavongvirot quoted UNFPA’s report, “Population Ageing in Thailand: Prognosis and Policy Response,” as stating Thailand is ageing faster than other countries in Southeast Asia.
UGANDA: Ambulances Donated to Improve Reproductive Health
The Monitor reported May 1 that the government through UNFPA has donated five ambulances to Kitgum District to improve reproductive health services by transporting patients from the health centres to Kitgum Hospital. Read: The Monitor
UGANDA: Women’s Rights Groups Demand FGM Declared Illegal
IRIN reported April 30 that women's rights activists in Uganda have petitioned the Constitutional Court demanding that female genital mutilation (FGM), practiced by several communities in the east of the country, be declared illegal. The story noted that Beatrice Chelengat, program manager of an FGM awareness campaign sponsored by UNFPA in the eastern Kapchorwa district, said 647 women aged between 11 and 31 were subjected to FGM in 2002 out of an estimated 13,000 females in that age group. The figures for 2004 and 2006 were 595 and 426 respectively, she said, adding that anti-FGM campaigns in the area were bearing fruit.
ZIMBABWE: Rural Health Crisis
IRIN reported April 30 that after more than 50 years of serving the community, Rockford Clinic in Gweru, Zimbabwe, shut down two months ago when the last trained nurse quit – a symptom of the wider crisis facing rural health services. According to UNFPA, "Women and children continue to be particularly at risk as the situation continues to worsen. Maternal and neonatal mortality has spiked in recent years as access to basic health services and critical obstetric care has declined." Read: IRIN, The Zimbabwean
 Back to top
|
