UNFPA IN THE NEWS —JULY 23-AUGUST 5 , 2007

AFRICAN CONFERENCE ON FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION

IRIN reported July 31 that at the African consultative meeting on FGM information was presented that showed the occurrence of FGM has been reduced in several African countries. "Prevalence decline is visible in countries like Kenya, Eritrea, Mali and Nigeria where anti-FGM interventions have been going on for some years," said Fama Hane Ba, UNFPA Africa Division Director. “This is good news,” Ms. Ba said. The majority of women at risk are in 28 African countries. She added: “It is encouraging to note that many organizations are implementing innovative programmatic strategies combining law enforcement and culturally sensitive approaches to sustain behavioral change.” Read: IRIN, UN News Centre, SAPA, Ghana News Agency , Independent Online, All Africa,  Reuters

Voice of America reported August 3 from the conference on the reason why religious and traditional leaders were being asked to help. UNFPA Regional Information Advisor George Ngwa said: "Essentially because female genital mutilation and cutting have been justified on the basis of religion and culture. So it was agreed by participants that the onus of fighting this scourge would fall heavily on those leaders, who allow the use of culture and religion to justify the continuation of the practice. It cuts across religion…It's not only about Muslims or Jews or orthodox Christians. It's practiced across all these religions." He added, “Everybody was on board with this declaration because most of the traditional leaders have come around to understanding, thanks to the work of sensitization that is being done in the field." Read: Voice of America

The Daily Monitor reported July 31 that the Ethiopian government has yet to be serious enough to take stronger action to deter FGM. UNFPA called for strong action to save three million African girls and women being affected by FGM annually. “Today, we remember the 120 to 140 million women and girls who have been subjected to this practice across the world. Indeed our thoughts also go to the three million women and girls predominantly from 28 African countries who are forced to go through this practice this year," Ms. Fama Hane Ba said. However, UNFPA indicated that the prevalence is reducing in Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Mali and Nigeria by an average of six per cent, but it still remains a health challenge in these countries and in Africa as a whole. Read: Daily Monitor

2007 WORLD POPULATION DAY OBSERVED

Argentina: El Mercurio Digital ran a July 27 op ed by UNFPA Representative in Argentina María del Carmen Feijoo on the occasion of World Population Day 2007 and the need to involve men in order to improve the life of women.  Read: El Mercurio Digital

Indonesia: Antara reported July 25 that during an event commemorating 2007 World Population Day, Indonesian Vice President M. Jusuf Kalla said population growth control should be done in normal ways in accordance with the new paradigm and human rights. The story quoted UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid as saying: “Today too many women die needlessly from complications of pregnancy and childbirth. Every minute, another woman loses her life.” Read: Antara

Guatemala: Prensa Libre reported July 28 that on the occasion of World Population Day, UNFPA in Guatemala organized a discussion, called “Men as Partners in Maternal Health.” Subjects discussed included the support to pregnant women, education of the daughters and the shared responsibility of the children. Read: Prensa Libre (Suplemento Sociedad)

Kyrgyzstan: The Times of Central Asia reported July 24 that UNFPA in Kyrgyzstan kicked off World Population Day celebrations on July 11 with a photography exhibition at the Aitiev State Museum of Fine Art. UNFPA Representative Natalya Kim said: “UNFPA is an international organization, one of whose tasks is to help provide equal opportunities and the right to health for all men, women, and children. The most important aspect of this work is analysis of how problems of birth, death, migration, urbanization and old age affect the dynamics of the population and the economy of the country.”

Senegal: Le Soleil ran an interview July 25 with  Islam specialist and researcher Mr. Abdoul Aziz Kebe, who emphasized that Senegal's government should back religious chiefs who support family planning. "Family planning is not against Islam," he said. The interview also quoted UNFPA country representative Suzanne Maiga who on the occasion of WPD said religious leaders play a crucial role in sensitizing men to take greater responsibility to ensure the health of mothers. Read:  Le Soleil

Tajikistan: Press Uz reported August 5 that World Population Day was approved by the executive committee of UNFPA on July 11, 1989. This date was selected because, during this day, in 1987, world population reached 5 billion. Like other memorable dates, the World Population Day is marked to draw attention of communities to population issues and problems, said the story.  This year's theme is “men's involvement in maternal health”, and also “no woman should die, giving life”. Read: Press UZ

Venezuela: El Nacional reported July 26 that UNFPA in Venezuela launched a poster campaign to promote the value of parenthood. The slogan, “Men at Work,” had four different posters that support the following issues: pregnant woman, the care, education and shared raising of children.

ANTIGUA: HIV/AIDS Awareness Urged during Carnival

SUN Weekend ran an August 3 opinion piece by Dena Simmons, a volunteer at the Directorate of Gender Affairs, who wrote about efforts to educate people on HIV/AIDS during Carnival. She wrote: “Women especially need to protect and empower themselves, considering the feminization of HIV/AIDS. That is, more and more women are being infected with HIV because according to Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, executive director of UNFPA, women have ‘less access to education and HIV information, less say in matters of marriage and sexual relations, less access to credit and economic opportunities, and little role in designing AIDS policies and responses.’” Read: SUN Weekend

ASIA-PACIFIC: Regional Conference on the Consequences of Aging

IRNA reported July 26 that a UN-backed meeting, attended by participants from over a dozen countries in the Asia-Pacific region, on social, health and economic consequences of population aging was kicked off in Bangkok, Thailand. The two-day seminar was held by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, in collaboration with UNFPA and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Read: IRNA

BOTSWANA: UNFPA Economist Says Country Has Improved Access to Education

The Voice reported July 24 that at a meeting hosted by Botswana Coalition of Non-Governmental Organizations, UNFPA National Economist Sennye Obuseng revealed that Botswana has achieved access to ten years of basic education and that the country has improved the quality and relevance of education. Read: The Voice

BURKINA-FASO: Significant Environmental Degradation in Kompienga Province

Inter Press Service reported August 3 on significant environmental degradation in Kompienga province in eastern Burkina Faso, according to a team that studied the situation in the province from 2004 to 2007. The research was conducted by the Department of Population Sciences at the National Centre for Scientific and Technological Research, with funding from UNESCO and UNFPA. Read: Inter Press Service

BURKINA-FASO: International Youth Day Celebrated

Sidawaya, L’Observateur and Le Pays reported on July 23 and 24 that the Ministry of Youth and Employment celebrated International Youth Day. Local authorities launched a campaign called ‘Operation 65/15’ that aims to raise awareness on environmental issues among people from different age groups. UNFPA emphasized that youth are the ones who will shape and lead society in the future. Read: Sidawaya

BURUNDI: Poster Contest against HIV/AIDS

L’ Agence Burundaise de Presse (ABP)  reported on August 2 that UNAIDS and the National Council in the Fight against AIDS have launched a poster competition sponsored by UNFPA to mobilize artists in the fight against the pandemic.

BURUNDI: Young People's Health Critical for Development

Le Renoveau  reported August 1 that a meeting convening religious and community leaders concluded that strategies to reach young people with information about reproductive health require clear and consistent messages, and that such information for young people is critical as a foundation for a good family life. The meeting was co-organized by UNFPA. 

BURUNDI: Combating Sexual Violence

Le Renoveau reported July 31  that unaccompanied women,  young girls without a guardian, students and adolescent girls placed in foster families are most vulnerable to sexual assault.  This was the conclusion at a conference among  religious leaders and peer educators in sexual and reproductive health and based on their experience. The conference was co-organized by UNFPA.

COTE D’IVOIRE: Conflict, the Source of Reproductive Health Problems

IRIN reported July 24 that according to UNFPA, the Côte d'Ivoire conflict is a major cause of reproductive health problems in the country. Almost half of the health structures in the central, northern and western zones of the country have been pillaged or destroyed, UNFPA said, leading to fewer prenatal consultations, fewer hospital treatments and more unassisted births, including occurrences of obstetric fistula. The increase is likely due to a combination of factors, according to Kate Ramsey, UNFPA’s coordinator of the Campaign to End Fistula. "More and more women are coming forward, so we're realizing that the numbers are greater than expected," Ramsey said.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Management and Advocacy Education for Youth

Le Potentiel reported July 26 that the network of adolescents and young Congolese for population and development (Rajecopod) organized with UNFPA’s support a seminar on result based management and advocacy for young people in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Read: Le Potentiel

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Potable Water for Inhabitants of Kimvuama

Le Potentiel reported July 26 that after a 25-year wait inhabitants of Kimvuama in the Bas-Congo region gained access to potable water. The story also mentioned that  UNFPA has equipped and repaired a Youth Centre in the Bas-Congo region. Read: Le Potentiel

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Maternal Morbidity

Le Potentiel reported July 25 that UNFPA, UNICEF and WHO reinforced their cooperation on campaigning for maternal health. The partnership aims to elaborate statistics on maternal mortality. Read: Le Potentiel

FIJI: Census Launched

Fiji Times reported July 27 that the 2007 Population and Housing Census was officially launched. Chief Statistician Epeli Waqavonvono said the Bureau of Statistics had received $5 million for the census plus an additional $500,000 by UNFPA but it was looking for another $500,000 from other sources. Read: Fiji Times

GAMBIA: Development Radio Station Celebrates Second Anniversary

The Point reported July 31 that the Brikama-based Yiriwa Development Radio Station celebrated its second anniversary at their base in Brikama Sanchaba. Pa Modou Bojang, general manager of Yiriwa FM, thanked business partners, Africell, Gamcel, Bayba Express and UNFPA. Read: The Point

GHANA: Study on FGM

Ghana News Agency reported July 28 that Rural Help Integration, a non-governmental organization providing reproductive health services, has estimated that between 9 and 12 per cent of Ghanaian female population had undergone female genital mutilation (FGM). The finding resulted from a recent UNFPA-funded study by the group to assess the impact of FGM practice on Ghanaian women. The research established that the practice was mainly motivated by traditional beliefs and misconceptions about women. Read: Ghana News Agency

GUYANA: Youth Have Better Access to Information, Education and Services

Stabroek News reported July 25 that youth in Black Bush Polder will now have better access to information, education and services with the opening of the Adolescent Youth-Friendly Community Initiative at the Mibicuri Community Developers (MCD). MCD President Jacqueline Johnson said the initiative seeks "to improve access to youths" and would provide services for "better sexual and reproductive health with an emphasis on decreasing the incidence of HIV/AIDS." The project, which was funded by UNFPA in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, would also help to reduce "teenage pregnancy among youths in especially difficult circumstances and offer resources to enhance the quality of life." UNFPA Liaison Officer Patrice La Fleur said, "The main focus is to improve the quality of life for men, women and young people." Read: Stabroek News

INDIA: Adolescent Sexual Education Debated

The Tribune reported July 23 on the debate on adolescent sexual education in Rajasthan. The story quoted UNFPA Assistant Representative Venkatesh Srinivisan as saying the entire debate has been unfortunately centered on “sex and sexuality.” She added, “We are trying to have an advocacy program for 5,000 CBSA schools, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sagantha Schools, Navodaya Vidyalayas and open schools.”

IRAQ: Middle East Countries Meet on the Health Needs of Iraq

IRNA reported July 28 that during a two-day meeting, health ministers from Syria, Egypt, Jordan and Iraq, as well as representatives from international organizations such as WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNHCR and the International Federation of Red Cross and red Crescent Societies, discussed new information and statistics, and an analysis of the current situation, basic health needs for Iraqi refugees. Read: IRNA

JORDAN: Report on the Challenges of Women in Jordan

Jordanian News Agency reported August 3 on a report on the challenges of women in Jordan. The story noted the cooperation among UNIFEM, the Regional Bureau and UNFPA, in addition to the relationship between Jordanian government and civil society organizations.

KYRGYZSTAN: Medical Equipment to Kyrgyzstan

Press Uz reported July 30 that this year's humanitarian assistance to Kyrgyzstan of medicines and medical equipments accounts for more than 7 millions in the local currency. 16 shipments of medicines and contraceptives were delivered to Kyrgyzstan by UNFPA.  Read: Press UZ

LATIN AMERICA: Regional Conference on Women

PPN reported August 3 on ECLAC’s tenth session of the Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean. The story noted that on Aug. 7 UNFPA will organize a side event on the benefits of good reproductive health  for women in the workforce. Marcela Suazo, UNFPA director for Latin America and the Caribbean Division, will participate in this event. Read: PPN

LIBERIA: Lawyers Receive Grant for Handling of Gender-Based Violence

The Analyst reported July 28 that the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL) recently secured a $1.2 million grant from the Danish government through UNFPA. The grant provides capacity building and institutional support to AFELL in its advocacy role and the handling of gender-based violence cases through the judicial system. Read: The Analyst

MALAWI: More Tested for HIV/AIDS than Expected

Daily Times reported July 30 that the Voluntary Counseling and Testing week for HIV/AIDS between July 16 and 21 this year proved, among other things, that women are more responsive and willing to know their status than men. “Even with very little publicity it appears a lot more people are willing to get tested. We had in mind about 130,000 people being tested through out the country during the week but it is clear the figures will be far greater than this,” said UNFPA’s Bob Ngaiyaye who led one of the monitoring teams. “We [UNFPA] are supporting government so that people have access to testing services as one of the pillars of behavioral change. The most important thing is that when one has been found to be carrying the virus he or she is counseled and starts receiving treatment,” said Ngaiyaye. Read: Daily Times

MOZAMBIQUE: Peer Education Program Launched in Nampula

IRIN reported July 23 that Nampula is the tenth province to implement the Geração Biz Program. During the launch, UNFPA Country Representative Petra Lantz said “Geração Biz” will help to empower girls to continue at school, protect them from sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies. “They [the girls] can not achieve this alone, thus the need of an effective involvement of boys in these efforts. Together they can build a real Geração Biz,” she said. “Geração Biz” is an adolescent sexual reproductive health peer education program implemented by the Mozambique government with the support of UNFPA. It’s now in 10 of the 11 provinces of this southern Africa country.

MYANMAR: UNFPA to Expand HIV Prevention Project

Xinhua General News Service reported July 23 that UNFPA will expand its HIV-prevention project in Myanmar with the help of Three-Disease (3-D) Fund to cover two dozen more areas in the country. UNFPA is using its regular funds to carry out the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission project in 24 townships in the country and the coverage will be extended up to a total of 50 townships across Myanmar by 2010 with 3-D’s additional funds, according to the Myanmar Times. Read: Xinhua General News Service

NEPAL: Aid Response to Flooding

Xinhua General News Service reported August 2 that the U.N. agencies in Nepal have responded rapidly to Nepal's national crisis caused by flooding, and to the request of the government for assistance, according to a press release issued by the U.N. office in Nepal. "United Nations Population Fund has provided food and non-food items to 1,000 flood victims in Mahottari, including medical support to the district hospital and jail. UNFPA's mobile health teams in Dang and Kapilvastu are on alert to go to Banke and Bardiya upon request," it said. Read: Xinhua General News Service, The Rising Nepal

NIGERIA: CEDAW Criticized

This Day ran a July 31 opinion piece by Sonnie Ekwowusi on the “dangers” of CEDAW. Ekwowusi criticized: “As you are well aware, notable United Nations Agencies like the UNFPA and USAID have been at the vanguard of reducing the population of Africa. In the 70s, these powerful agencies mounted series of over-population-hoax campaigns in Nigeria.” Read: This Day

NIGERIA: Report Say Agencies Losing Sight of Reproductive Health Services

This Day reported July 24 on the recent release of a World Bank report that warned poor countries, wealthy donors, and aid agencies are losing sight of the value of contraception, family planning, and other reproductive health programs in helping to boost economic growth. The World Bank's Vice President for Human Development Joy Phumaphi said: “The Bank is committed to helping these women, along with the UN Population Fund, WHO, and the technical health agencies, to make voluntary and informed decisions about fertility."

NORTH KOREA: Aid for Doubled Infant Mortality

Radio Free Asia reported August 4 that infant mortality in North Korea has doubled over the last decade, prompting South Korea to pledge a total of $3.4 million in funding for a special aid agency to tackle child malnutrition. Chronic food shortages over the last decade have taken their toll on children in North Korea, with 42 North Korean infant deaths per 1,000 live births before the age of one, according to UNFPA. Read: Radio Free America

PAKISTAN: NGOs Significance during Natural Disasters

Business Recorder reported August 4 that at a meeting with representatives of different organizations including UNICEF, WHO, UNFPA, Concern World Wide, Care International, Co-ordination Emergency and NDMA, Relief and Crisis Management Punjab Secretary Syed Ghazanfar Ali said that the role of NGOs is significant to overcome natural calamities and timely relief activities.

PAKISTAN: Dialogue Held on “Harnessing Youth Potential”

The Daily Times reported July 31 that Save the Children U.K., in collaboration with the World Population Foundation, organized a policy dialogue titled, “Harnessing Youth Potential.” Representatives from the Youth Advocacy Network, Population Council, Pakistan National AIDS Consortium, UNICEF and UNFPA participated in the dialogue. Read: Daily Times

PALESTINE: Social and Psychological Support

MAAN News reported August 5 that Nablus Municipality initiated the implementation of the project "Social and psychological support" in  cooperation with UNFPA.  This project aims at training 50 women to develop their skills in dealing with social and psychological issues.  These women will give support to other women groups through workshops that will cover the whole city and surrounding camps.  The project will reach 15000 women beneficiaries.  Read: MAAN News

PERU: Projects for Women Leaders

Andina reported July 23 that in order to strengthen capacity in public management, a package of projects for women leaders in the department of Lambayeque will be carried out with UNFPA resources. Read: Andina

SENEGAL: Women from Malicounda Bambara Celebrate Denunciation of FGM

Xinhua General News Service reported August 3 that Senegalese women of Malicounda Bambara village celebrated the tenth anniversary since their public declaration denouncing FGM. The commemorative ceremony was organized by an NGO called Tostan in collaboration with other partners including Senegalese government, UNICEF, UNFPA, WHO, World Population Council and other NGOs. Read: Xinhua General News Service

SIERRA LEONE: Workshop Held on HIV/AIDS, STIs and Gender-Based Violence

The New Citizen reported July 27 on a workshop sponsored by UNFPA to discuss the prevention of HIV/AIDS, STIs and gender-based violence and the promotion of women’s rights in local communities by sensitizing community leaders. In her keynote address, Deputy UNFPA Representative Mariama Diarra-Sesay said no matter where a girl is born she must be free of discrimination and violence, adding that every girl and woman should enjoy equal opportunity and human rights. Read: The New Citizen

SOUTH AMERICA: Media Workshop on MDGs

Inter Press Service reported July 30 that a UNDP seminar, "Forgotten Social Agenda," was held in Uruguay with media from seven South American countries to discuss how to report on the MDGs. At the seminar, UNFPA’s Juan José Calvo noted that a U.N. TV spot in Uruguay on condom use included neither a heterosexual teenage couple nor a homosexual couple. Read: Inter Press Service

SUDAN: Phase II of the Fifth Population Census Approved

Sudan Media Center reported July 29 that the Central Bureau of Statistics, Southern Sudan Commission for Census, Statistics and Evaluation, the Ministry of Finance, UNFPA, and the World Bank announced that the Oversight Committees for the Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF)/ National and the MDTF-South jointly approved the proposal for Phase II of the Fifth Population Census. The international community helped fund the census through bilateral channels from the EU, DANIDA, and the Netherlands amounting to approximately $12 million, which is being allocated through UNFPA. Read: Sudan Media Center, Sudan Tribune

UKRAINE: Competition for Mini Grants among Organizations of Higher Education

Osvita reported August 3 that UNFPA in Ukraine invited organizations of higher education to participate in a contest for advocacy projects on healthy life and youth involvement in decision making processes. The main aim of the contest is to inform young people about safe sexual behavior and reproductive health issues. Read: Osvita

UZBEKISTAN: Training Conducted on the Demographic Processes

UzReport.com reported July 23 that with support from UNFPA, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population of the Republic of Uzbekistan conducted training on demographic processes and their implications on socio-economic development and strategies.

VENEZUELA: Country’s Strengths in Fight against HIV/AIDS

El Nacional ran a July 28 interview featuring Leoncio Barrios, psychologist and UNFPA adviser for the prevention of HIV/AIDS who said that Venezuela has great strengths to fight HIV/AIDS.

YEMEN: UNFPA Reviews 2008-2011 Program

Yemen News Agency reported July 23 that UNFPA reviewed its reproductive health program (2008-2011) in Yemen. Governor of Hadhramout Taha Hajer discussed with UNFPA Representative in Yemen Hans Obdeijn.

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