UNFPA IN THE NEWS — AUGUST 6-12 , 2007
INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY OBSERVED
Bangladesh: The New Nation reported August 10 that International Youth Day, themed "Be seen, be heard: Youth Participation for Development," will be marked by the Youth Development Department and UNFPA. Secretary of Youth and Sports Ministry Dr. M. Mostafa Talukdar will attend a rally and seminar as special guest, while UNFPA Representative Arthur Erken will be present as special guest. Read: The New Nation, South Asian Media Net
The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: MAKFAX reported August 8 that the UNFPA Office in Macedonia in co-operation with Y-Peer Macedonia network will celebrate World Youth Day on August 12 for the first time. Read: MakFax
Mexico: Associated Press reported August 11 that more than a third of Mexican migrants, who are under the age of 25, are driven to leave the country because of poverty and Mexico's inability to keep young people in school, the National Population Council said. At the UNFPA-sponsored International Youth Day 2007, Cesar Garces, the head of the council, said 47 percent of Mexico's youth live in poverty, and that only seven in 10 of Mexico's 15-year-olds, half of its 17-year-olds and 29 percent of its 20-year-olds are still in school. Read: Associated Press
AFRICA AND NORWAY: Norway Aids the Fight against FGM/C
Associated Press reported August 8 that Norway pledged 20 million kroner ($3.4 million, Euro 2.5 million) to help the United Nations fight the genital mutilation of young girls through female circumcision. The Norwegian donation is earmarked for a special fund recently created by UNFPA and UNICEF. Read: Associated Press, Norway Post.
Read in Norwegian: Verdens Gang, Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation: NRK
BANGLADESH: UNFPA Hands over Four Ambulances
United News of Bangladesh reported August 7 that UNFPA provided four ambulances for the Urban Primary Health Care Project. The ambulances would be used in providing health services to the poor people of Sylhet and Rajshahi city corporations, Bogra and Savar areas.
BANGLADESH: Garment Factories to Discuss Protecting Workers’ Reproductive Rights
The Daily Star reported August 10 that the need to strengthen health and safety measures in the garment factories to protect the reproductive health rights of workers were discussed during a policy dialogue organized by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association and UNFPA. Read: The Daily Star
BARBADOS AND UNITED STATES: Why Is the Caribbean Excluded from PEPFAR?
rinidad Express ran an August 6 column by Tony Best who questioned if the hard facts on HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean are well known to the United States, “why then is the White House strenuously declining to include all of Caricom, Barbados included, as beneficiaries of the president's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief?” He noted, “Some UNFPA figures support the Caricom position.” He concluded, “If the White House isn't prepared to listen, Barbados and the others must take their case directly to the United States Congress, specifically the Congressional Black Caucus.” Read: Trinidad Express
BELARUS: Preparations for Nations Census Underway
Belorusskie Novosti reported August 7 that UNFPA and the Belarusian statistics ministry signed an agreement to conduct a population census. UNFPA is expected to fundraise more than $830,000 for the census, as well as share international expertise on the subject. Read: Belorusskie Novosti
CARIBBEAN: CARICOM Youth Ambassadors Meet to Review Progress
Jamaica Information Service reported August 11 that Caribbean youth are meeting in Jamaica for a special four-day conference to review the CARICOM Youth Ambassadors Program’s advancement on HIV/AIDS, advocacy of the CARICOM Single Market & Economy, as well as the reduction of other youth risk and vulnerability factors. Presenters include UWI lecturers, Dr. Barbara Braithwaite and Professor Barry Chevannes; Attitude Shift Specialist, Dr. Soeresh Gobardhan; Communications Specialist, Dorrett Campbell, and representatives from UNFPA, UNESCO, UNIFEM and the Commonwealth Youth Program. Read: Jamaican Information Service
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: CAR Refugees Receive Assistance
IRIN reported August 8 that some 26,000 refugees from Central African Republic who are scattered along the eastern border of Cameroon are set to receive assistance that includes UNFPA’s support in helping women and young girls with problems related to reproductive and maternal health. Read: IRIN, UN News Centre, Voice of America
CONGO BRAZZAVILLE: Condom Vending Machines Distributed
La Collecte reported August 9 that 40 vending machines for male condoms were donated to the government by UNFPA in a ceremony at the Ministry of Health on 6 August.
COTE D'IVOIRE: Agreement Signed between Orange Telecom and UNFPA
Soir Info reported August 8 that an agreement worth Cfa 13 million was signed between Orange Telecom and UNFPA on August 2. According to the agreement, Orange Telecom has committed to refurbish eight maternity clinics around the country.
ECUADOR: Women’s Decision-making Process
Infobae, RPP reported August 8 on details of a study of UNFPA presented in Quito, Ecuador, during a side-event organized by UNFPA within the framework of the Tenth Session of the Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean (6 to 9 August 2007) organized by ECLAC. The presentation was titled "Towards a new social and gender pact: shared responsibility for reproductive and productive work in Latin America and the Caribbean". Infobae reported that maternity is a factor associated with the reduction of female labor opportunities. In addition, UNFPA cited that between 1990 and 2004 a total of 33 million women entered the labor market in Latin America. Ms. Marcela Suazo, UNFPA Director for Latin America and the Caribbean Division, said that, “to establish a pact of co-responsibility, it is necessary that the men include themselves in the project”. Read: Infobae , RPP
ECUADOR: Political Participation of Women in Latin America is 20 per cent
El Comercio reported August 9 that in Latin America and the Caribbean it is an essential/crucial moment to create policies that expand participatory opportunities and rights of the women, according to Marcela Suazo, UNFPA Director for Latin America and the Caribbean Division, within the framework the Tenth Session of the Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean (6 to 9 August 2007). Marcela Suazo would like to initiate dialog on these issues to see a change in society. Read: El Comercio
ETHIOPIA: Development Aid Supports National Budget
The Daily Monitor reported August 9 that the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development said Ethiopia benefited from a total of 23.2 billion Birr in foreign loans and aid during the past Ethiopian budget year. The story noted that the World Food Program, UNICEF, Africa Development Fund, UNDP and UNFPA were among multilateral institutions which provided aid and loan to Ethiopia during the reported period. Read: Daily Monitor
FIJI: Preparations Underway to Conduct Population Census
Fiji Times ran an August 9 interview with Census Commissioner Ratu Timoci Bainimarama on the upcoming census exercise and the importance of providing accurate information to enumerators. Bainimarama said: “The funds allocated will ensure an excellent census enumeration, which is important. The United Nations Population Fund has provided $190,000 worth of help in the form of equipment and finance for Global Positioning System related work.” Read: Fiji Times, Radio Fiji
FIJI AND AUSTRALIA: Aus Aid Funds Census and Supports Electoral Process
FijiLive reported August 10 that Australia is providing $437,000 towards the 2007 census in Fiji and further assistance to support the electoral process. At the signing ceremony for Aus Aid support to Fiji and UNFPA, Australian High Commissioner James Batley described the assistance as “a down payment on Australia’s support for Fiji’s return to democracy”. Read: FijiLive, Fiji Times: August 11a, August 11b
GUATEMALA: National Meeting of Candidates
Cerigua reported August 3 that UNFPA, among others, promoted the National Meeting of Candidates Elections 2007, attended by more than 300 women representing different departments from the country. Read: Cerigua
LEBANON: UN Agencies Review July War
Al-Akhbar Newspaper reported August 8 that the Investigation Committee, established by the U.N. Council for Human Rights, issued recommendations that mandates all U.N. agencies to implement consolidating human rights in their relief work and reconstruction. UNFPA has concluded post-war assessment in conflict areas that concentrates on protection and gender-based violence. Read: Al-Akhbar
NAMIBIA: Parliamentarian Delegation to Tour Otjozondjupa Region
New Era reported August 6 that a 10-member delegation from parliament will undertake an extensive tour of the Otjozondjupa Region to familiarize themselves with gender and gender-based violence, poverty, orphans and vulnerable children, reproductive health and HIV/AIDS. The one-week outreach program to Otjozondjupa is in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, UNDP, UNFPA and UNICEF. Read: New Era
NEPAL: U.N. Team Inspects Flood-Affected Areas
South Asian Media Net reported August 9 that a high-level team led by UNDP Resident Representative in Nepal Matthew Kahane inspected the flood-affected Sakarpura VDC of Saptari district. The team will be discussing with acting CDO Gyanendra Parajuli about the damages caused by the floods and the relief to be provided to the victims, said UNFPA’s Dr. Sarbesh Jha. Read: South Asian Media Net
NIGER: Audience with the President of the National Assembly
Le Sahel reported August 9 that the President of the National Assembly has received Mrs Marlene François Lays, UNFPA Representative in Niger. Mrs Lays informed the President on advances in the field of population and development with the adoption of laws on reproductive health and HIV/AIDS and also the adoption by the government of a general declaration on population policy. She also informed the President of the Assembly on the interest of the European parliamentary forum on issues on population and development in Niger.
NIGERIA: UNFPA Trained 150 Journalists on Gender and Reproductive Health
The Daily Champion reported August 6 that UNFPA trained 150 journalists across Nigeria with emphasis on the ills of female circumcision, teenage pregnancy and other harmful practices. Buki Ponle of the News Agency of Nigeria indicated that the training strengthens journalists’ reporting on the areas of gender and reproductive health issues.
OMAN: UNFPA Representative Urges Employment Training for Youth
Gulf News reported August 12 on the need to train and equip the large population of teenagers in the Gulf Coordination Council to enter the employment market. UNFPA Resident Representative for GCC Region Dr. Nora N. Alnahedh said, "Youngsters here must realize that they need to work hard to make a place for themselves in the global community." Dr Nora also talked about the need to adopt birth spacing programs. "Oman has gone a long way in propagating the need to keep a gap between pregnancies," she said. Read: Gulf News
OMAN: Training of International Network for Y-PEER Education
Shabiba reported August 6 that UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund has concluded its first "Training of Trainers" for the Arab Gulf Countries, which took place in Oman, within the framework of the project "International Network for Y-PEER Education". This training aimed at educating trainers about health issues and providing them with skills to educate young people in the region about their reproductive health and rights. Read: Shabiba
PAKISTAN: Flood Relief Efforts Reviewed in Qambar and Dadu Districts
DAWN reported August 9 that the health department, WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA and others held a meeting to review relief efforts in Qambar and Dadu districts, which were affected by the floods from the north and north-western areas. Read: DAWN
PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Study Finds HIV/AIDS Reduces Life Expectancy
PNG Post-Courier reported August 6 that the average life expectancy in Papua New Guinea will be reduced due to the impact of HIV/AIDS by year 2030, according to preliminary findings of a recent study on population issues in PNG, funded by UNFPA. PacNews also reported August 6 that Dr. Jeffery Hayes was a consultant with UNFPA and spearheaded the study. Read: The National
PARAGUAY: Poster Contest on Domestic Violence
PPN reported August 8 that the Specialized Meeting of Women of Mercosur (REM by its abbreviations in Spanish) announced a poster contest around the theme: “Violence against woman.” The contest is open to members or associated members of Mercosur citizen residents in the countries. The contest will end on 15 of September and the awards ceremony will take place in November of this year. The judges will include a representative of UNFPA, UNIFEM, and an outstanding expert by each State Part of the MERCOSUR. Read: PPN
PARAGUAY: Communal Heads Debated by Metropolitan Policies
PPN reported August 8 that with the objective of establishing general delineations for the formulation of policies that include the areas and the metropolitan regions of Asunción, Ciudad del Este and Encarnation, the First Forum on Metropolitan Policies took place. The event was organized by the Municipality of Asunción and the Corporation REMA, with the support of UNFPA. Read: PPN
PHILIPPINES: UNFPA Receives Award for Relief and Rehabilitation
Philippines News Agency reported August 6 that the 2007 Regional Search for Gawad Kalasag Award in the Relief and Rehabilitation category included: IOM, OXFAM GB, UNDP, UNICEF, WFP, World Vision, UNFPA, Plan International- Albay Disaster Response Program, Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, Social Action Center-Legazpi, Gawad Kalinga, and the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints.
PHILIPPINES: Development Agencies Accused of Manipulating Local Government
Philippine Daily Inquirer reported August 12 that John Carlos de los Reyes, Olongapo City councilor, is engaged in a battle against the proposed Reproductive Health Code measure. Following the consistent failure to get a population control bill through Congress, agencies like UNFPA, USAID, and PopCom are taking a different tack, trying to "sneak population control measures into local government units", De los Reyes claims. Read: Philippine Daily Inquirer
PHILIPPINES: Cagayan de Oro City Awarded for Establishing Youth Center
Philippine Information Agency reported August 8 that during the "Gabing Parangal" of the Regional Health Summit, PopCom awarded the Cagayan de Oro City government for establishing the Oro Youth Center. City Population Officer Norma Sabacajan, who received the award on behalf of City Mayor Constantino G. Jaraula, said the Oro Youth Center is an offshoot of the UNFPA/PopCom OK Ka Bay! Project. Read: Philippine Information Agency
SWAZILAND: HIV/AIDS Awareness among Children through Theatre
The Swazi Observer reported August 8 that the Swaziland Youth Council organized a community theatre to educate children about HIV-prevention. The “Be Seen, Be Heard, Be HIV-Free” themed project is funded by UNFPA, UNICEF and NERCHA. UNFPA’s Majorie Mavuso noted the project would benefit children below the age of 18 who tend not to think about the consequences of their behavior. She hopes the project brings tangible results and behavior change. Read: Swazi Observer
TAJIKISTAN: Tajikistan for a Week
Regnum reported August 9 that maternal mortality rate in Tajikistan remains high. According to the data provided by the Center of Medical Statistics, for the first seven months of 2007, maternal mortality stands at 17 deaths per 1000 childbirth compared to 14 in 2006. But real figures are much higher than the official ones, where many women deliver in home settings. According to UNFPA Program Coordinator on reproductive health, experts developed recommendations to promote women's health and preserve their lives including access to qualitative reproductive health care services. UNFPA representative in Tajikistan noted that "it is better to realize and understand the reasons behind maternal and child mortality". Read: Regnum
UZBEKISTAN: Strengthening Kindness, Mercy and Mutual Understanding
Press Uz reported August 8 that in Uzbekistan it has become a tradition to devote a day every year to a theme in the social sphere, to mobilize resources and opportunities to solve concrete social problems. This year, a campaign under the slogan “Year of social protection” was launched under the auspices of the President Islam Karimov. In its turn, UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, has financed the publishing of Bases of a Healthy Way of Life and Family. Read: Press-Uz, Regnum
UZBEKISTAN: Summer school of volunteers 2007 has Opened on Altai with UNFPA Assistance
Press Uz reported August 8 that a tourist base "Troy" in Mountain of Altai the sixth annual Summer school of volunteers was launched. This event has become a regional public organization Siberian initiative. The purpose of this school is to exchange information and to share experiences between the volunteers working in the area of adolescent health, popularization of a healthy life. UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund together with UNICEF attended this event. Read: Press-Uz
WEST AFRICA: Worrying Trends Emerging in the Fight against FGM/C
IRIN reported August 10 on the 10-year anniversary of the day the Senegalese village of Malicounda Bambara openly declared that it had abandoned a local tradition known as female genital mutilation or cutting. However, according to Aminata Touré, UNFPA Chief of Gender, Culture and Human Rights, worrying trends are emerging in Senegal, Guinea and Burkina Faso that could undermine efforts to eliminate the practice. She said girls are undergoing FGM/C at an increasingly younger age, often immediately after birth "so they cannot complain," she said. She also worried about the medicalization of the practice. "For many years, we have been educating people about the health consequences of FGM/C. Their response has been 'Okay, then we're going to do it in hospitals,'" she said. Read: IRIN
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