UNFPA IN THE NEWS —JANUARY 15-28, 2007

A MAJORITY OF THE WORLD LIVES IN URBAN AREAS
The Times (UK) reported January 25 that for the first time in history, a majority of the world's population will live in cities in 2007. The story noted that according to UNFPA, roughly 93 percent of Venezuela's population, 81 percent of Saudi Arabia and 90 percent of Britain's population are urban. Read: The Times

UNFPA REPORTS RECORD AMOUNT OF DONORS IN 2006

UN News Centre reported January 15 that 180 countries contributed $360 million to UNFPA in 2006, the highest number of donors and the largest total since the organization began its operations in 1969. “We are very thankful for the continuous and growing support from nearly all United Nations Member States,” UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid said. Xinhua General News Service reported January 15 that according to UNFPA’s press release, its top six donors were the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Britain, Japan and Denmark. Deutsche Presse-Agentur also reported January 15 on the record number of donors to UNFPA in 2006. Read: UN News Centre, United Press International

BRAZIL: STI and HIV/AIDS Prevention Awareness during Pan-American Games

Ultimo Segundo reported January 18 that representatives from the Pan-American Games 2007 organizing committee and the Special Secretariat on Women’s Affairs established a partnership to include STIs and HIV/AIDS prevention during the event in Rio. The initiative will be launched on March 8, International Women’s Day. The campaign, jointly organized by the Ministry of Health National STIs and HIV/AIDS Program and Women’s Health Technical Area, the Ministry of Sports and UNFPA, will be linked to the games, involving the 5,500 athletes and 15,000 voluntary staff. Read: Ultimo Segundo

GAMBIA: Youth Educated on the Importance of Voting

The Point reported January 22 that the National Youth Parliament started voter education outreach in senior secondary schools in the Kanifing and Banjul. The story noted that UNFPA sponsored the program to educate youth about the importance of voting and their role in the electoral process. Read: The Point

GAMBIA: Poverty-Fighting Machinery and Funds Presented to Women’s Groups

The Daily Observer reported January 18 that UNFPA presented two milling machines and two checks amounting to D63,000 to four women’s groups in North Bank Region, at a ceremony held at Kerewan Area Council. Speaking at the presentation, Acting Director of Population Affairs Saikou Trawally advised: “This is one way of fighting poverty. You need to make sure that you live up to expectations.” Read: Daily Observer

JORDAN: Workshop Held on Birth Defects and Genetic Disorders

Times of Oman reported January 15 that the first national workshop for prevention and management of birth defects and genetic disorders was organized by the Ministry of Health in cooperation with the Sultan Qaboos University and Netherlands-based World Alliance of Organizations. The workshop featured international and national speakers from the WHO, the March of Dimes, UNICEF, UNFPA, and Max Planck Institutes. Read: Times of Oman

KAZAKHSTAN: Japan Government to Help Upgrade Medical Services

Kazakhstan General Newswire reported January 25 that the Japanese government and the U.N. allotted approximately $2 million for a project intended to upgrade medical services, education and social protection in the Semipalatinsk area (in East Kazakhstan), affected by the nuclear test site. According to the news release, the project will be financed through the U.N. Trust Fund for Human Security and will be carried out via UNDP, UNICEF and UNFPA in Kazakhstan. The project provides for a refresher training of medical officers to improve skills in attending expectant mothers, neonates and infants.

KAZAKHSTAN: Delegation Participates in Session on CEDAW

Kazakhstanskaya Pravda reported January 20 that a delegation from Kazakhstan, led by Aitkul Samakova, RK President’s aide and chair of National commission for family and gender policy, participated in the 37th session of CEDAW in New York. Samakova met with U.N. leaders including Thoraya Obaid, UNFPA executive director. Read: Kazakhstanskaya Pravda

MALAWI: Male Circumcision Considered for HIV/AIDS Prevention Strategy

DPM News Agency reported January 16 that the Malawi government is considering incorporating male circumcision into the nation’s HIV/AIDS prevention strategy. Roy Hauya, program director at the National AIDS Commission, cited UNFPA figures revealing that 3.7 million infections and 2.7 million deaths could be averted over the next 20 years if male circumcision is added to multi-preventable strategies already in place. Read: DPM News Agency

NIGERIA: Census Results to Be Released within the Coming Year

This Day reported January 16 that Chairman of the National Population Commission Alhaji Samuila Makama said a detailed breakdown and final results of the National Housing and Population Census conducted in March 2006 would be released within the coming year. The story noted that multilateral donors and partners included USAID, UNDP, the European Union and UNFPA. Read: The Guardian

NIGERIA: Free Obstetrics Care for Women

The Tide reported January 21 that the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria advocated for free obstetric care for pregnant women to reduce “increasing rate of maternal mortality in the country.” The story citied statistics from WHO, UNICEF and UNFPA that rank Nigeria’s maternal mortality rate at 800 deaths per 100,000 live births, one of the highest in the world. Read: The Tide

NIGERIA: Challenges of Motherhood

The Tide reported January 21 on the challenges of motherhood in Nigeria. The story mentioned the custom of female genital mutilation that was publicized by Waris Dirie, a well-known fashion model and former goodwill ambassador for UNFPA. Read: The Tide

NORTH KOREA: Continued  Scrutiny

Media reports continued to follow the system-wide investigation of United Nations activities in North Korea. Seoul Times reported January 22 that Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s made an announcement following a meeting with UNDP Associate Administrator Ad Melkert on the agency's multimillion-dollar operations in DPRK. Over the course of approximately two decades many countries altered their systems, "the essential way North Korea operates has not changed during that time," Ban Ki-moon that said, and therefore the terms of reference governing the work of not just UNDP but also UNICEF, UNFPA and WFP remained the same. Read: Seoul Times, Washington Post, FoxNews.com, Kyodo News 

NORTH KOREA: U.S. Demands UNDP in North Korea Be Revamped

The Los Angeles Times reported January 20 that concerns that North Korea may be siphoning millions of dollars in U.N. money for illicit purposes have caused the United States to demand that UNDP in North Korea be revamped and submit to external audits. The story noted that U.N. agencies, including UNICEF, the World Food Program and the U.N. Population Fund, are active in the isolated country. Read: Los Angeles Times

PAKISTAN: First Lady Praises UAE Red Crescent Society

The Pakistan Newswire reported January 25 that First Lady Begum Sehba Musharraf visited the office of UAE Red Crescent Society and hailed its support and welfare work in Pakistan, particularly in the aftermath of the October 8, 2005 earthquake. The story noted that the UEA Red Crescent Society was also having joint ventures with UNICEF and UNFPA for a Mother-Child Centre and Maternity Hospital, respectively in earthquake affected areas. Read: Associated Press of Pakistan

PAKISTAN: Annual Work Plans for 2007 Signed

Pakistan Press International reported January 25 that UNFPA in Pakistan formalized the Annual Work Plans for 2007 with the government at a signing ceremony held at the Ministry of Population Welfare. UNFPA Representative in Pakistan Dr. France Donnay signed the Annual Work Plans for 2007 with the representatives of the Ministries of Population, Health, Education, Women Development and Statistics Division. UNFPA will provide almost $9 million, including emergency funds, to support activities in 11 districts. Read: Pakistan Press International, Xinhua General News Service

PAKISTAN: Fistula Treatment and Prevention

Inter Press Service’s January 17 story, “Obstetric Fistula – Grim Reminder of Unmet MDGs,” noted that according to UNFPA, nearly two million women – a vast majority in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South Asia – suffer from this devastating injury. True prevalence remains underreported and is a stark indication of the low priority given to women on national health agendas. The story mentioned that in 2006, UNFPA launched its national campaign to end fistula in Pakistan, investing $1 million over three years. This is part of its global campaign in over 30 countries of South Asia, Africa and the Arab region in a bid to eradicate this disability. Dr. Ayesha Haq, a doctor at the one of the maternity centers funded by UNFPA, said: “UNFPA provides theatre equipment, patient transportation, surgery cost, medicines and food. When the woman leaves the centre, to celebrate the start of a new chapter in her life, she is sent home dressed up in a new set of clothes." Read: Inter Press Service

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Workshop to Review UNFPA Activities

PNG Post-Courier reported January 19 that during a workshop to review UNFPA’s activities, it was revealed that the percentage of births attended by trained people has not improved throughout the country in the past five years. The review was held to help formulate UNFPA’s new country program. UNFPA Assistant Resident Representative and former director of the Health Department’s monitoring and evaluation branch, Dr. Gilbert Hiawalyer said accessibility of services by the people in the country remained the biggest problem, complicated by bad road conditions.

PHILIPPINES: Only 7 Percent of Typhoon Aid Has Been Received

On January 25, United Press International reported the U.N. revealed that only 7 percent of the necessary funds have been received to aid 7 million people affected by typhoons in the Philippines. While the required funds are lacking, WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, Medicins Sans Frontieres and the health ministries of Indonesia and Malaysia, have provided the Philippines with basic material, equipment and staff, the United Nations said. Read: United Press International, UN News Centre

SUDAN: Relief Access Worst in Three Years

UN News Centre reported January 17 that that the U.N. released a statement warning that relief access to Sudan in December 2006 was the worst in nearly three years. The statement was endorsed by the following members of the UN Country Team in Sudan: OCHA, UNICEF, UNESCO, UNIFEM, UNDP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNJLC, UNMAS, UNOPS, UNFPA, WFP, and WHO. Read: UN News Centre

SYRIA: UNFPA Gives Medical Equipment to Arab Red Crescent Society

SANA reported January 22 that the Syrian Arab Red Crescent Society received a shipment of medical equipment, including reproductive health kits as humanitarian aid from UNFPA. Minister of State for Red Crescent Affairs Bashar Sha'ar, in a statement to reporters, thanked UNFPA for the aid, which will contribute to boosting the Syrian organization’s activities that offer human and medical services to the needy. Lina Mousa, UNFPA representative in Damascus, said that this aid is considered as a continuation of the agency's work in supporting the Syrian Red Crescent. Read: SANA

TANZANIA: Population Policy Endorsed

The Guardian reported January 25 that Planning, Economy and Empowerment Minister Juma Ngasongwa noted that the cabinet has endorsed a new population policy that could be made public this March. The story noted that the minister cited UNFPA estimates that show Tanzania would have a population of 82.7 million by 2050 if the current population growth of 2.3 percent remains constant – up from over 34 million in 2002 and about 38 million in 2007. Read: The Guardian

TURKEY: Photo Exhibit Opposing Violence against Women

Turkish Daily News reported January 26 that some 400 amateur and professional female photographers will demonstrate their opposition to violence against women in an exhibition titled "For Women by Women." The group shared their photographs at a women and folk music concert, organized by UNFPA as part of the Stop Violence Against Women national campaign initiated by the Turkish Prime Ministry. Read: Turkish Daily News

UGANDA: Workshop on HIV Control and Prevention
New Vision reported January 25 that at the close of a two-day workshop on HIV/AIDS control and prevention, First Lady Janet Museveni said that lack of self-control is responsible for the increase in HIV/AIDS in Uganda. The workshop, which aimed at promoting faithfulness in marriage, was organized by the Office of the First Lady, UNFPA, AIDS Information Centre and the Population Secretariat. Read: New Vision 

The Baltimore Sun reported January 20 that in her first year as the top State Department official on refugees, Ellen R. Sauerbrey has won over at least some of her critics. The story noted that Ellen Marshall, spokeswoman for the International Women's Health Coalition, said family planning advocates remain frustrated that the administration continues to withhold funding from the U.N. Population Fund. But Marshall also said that Sauerbrey's first year had passed "without any big, huge blowups." Marshall added, “I think, quite frankly, that the large amount of opposition during her confirmation hearing and the fact that they never had a vote…probably has tempered her a little bit." Read: Baltimore Sun

URUGUAY: U.N. Provides $73 Million for Population and Development Programs

Xinhua General News Service reported January 27 that in a new agreement, the U.N. will provide Uruguay with $73 million to cover programs concerning population, gender, reproductive health, environmental development, fight against poverty, equality, knowledge promotion and production diversification. Pablo Mandeville, Uruguayan UNDP/UNFPA representative, and Carlos Viera, head of the U.N. Planning and Budget Office, signed the agreement. Read: Xinhua General News Service

VIETNAM: Support for HIV Prevention Programs

Vietnam News Service reported January 29 that in considering the recommendation from the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Deputy PM Pham Gia Khiem has agreed that Voice of Vietnam (VOV) will benefit from a UNFPA-funded project. The project supports VOV in producing and broadcasting entertainment and educational programs designed to change HIV/AIDS behaviors. Through UNFPA, the Danish government has provided a total of DKK 4,997,913 ($768,910). Read: Vietnam News Service

VIETNAM: Second Radio Program Launched for Adolescent Reproductive Health

Nhan Dan reported January 19 that the Voice of Vietnam is launching a second radio broadcast project, funded by the Danish international development agency with support from UNFPA. The project includes education and counselling programs on reproductive health for young people. Read: Nhan Dan

YEMEN: Preachers Enlisted to Further Women’s Health Issues

The Yemen Observer reported January 27 that at a recent workshop, the Women’s National Committee announced that teams of 25 preachers will spread the word about women’s health issues in six governorates of Yemen—Sana’a, Taiz, Hodeidah, Dhamar, Hajja, and Mahweet—using a manual that cites Islamic scripture to reinforce teachings about reproductive rights, female genital cutting, family size, and other frequently asked questions. The next stage of the program will be funded by UNFPA, which works to ensure universal access to reproductive health, including family planning and sexual health to all couples and individuals. Using Islam to spread awareness of reproductive health, say participants, will eventually help eradicate misconceptions about women and help keep Yemen’s population at sustainable levels. Read: Yemen Observer

YEMEN: Country Office Reviews Work and Challenges in 2006 and ahead in 2007

Yemen News Agency reported January 21 that UNFPA in Yemen ended its annual meeting, in which the participants discussed basic issues related to the agency’s work in Yemen and how to develop and boost the abilities of its affiliates. The three-day meeting included a review of the agency’s achievements and the difficulties it faced in 2006, in addition to its tasks in the year ahead. Read: Yemen News Agency

ZAMBIA: Fighting Maternal Mortality

Inter Press Service reported January 17 on the high rates of maternal mortality in Zambia. A study by UNFPA found that excessive bleeding at the time of childbirth accounted for some 34 percent of maternal deaths in Zambia. Hemorrhaging occurs more often in deliveries which take place in rural villages: 27 out of 48 women compared to five out of 14 women at health care facilities. The story also highlighted the government’s participation in UNFPA's Safe Motherhood Project which has been effective in reducing maternal mortality by educating and involving communities. Read: Inter Press Service

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