UNFPA IN THE NEWS — JUNE 11-16, 2007

UNFPA POPULATION AWARDEES

Inter Press Service featured a June 11 interview with Salamatou Traoré – a leading health worker in Niger – who was awarded a $5,000 grant from UNFPA in recognition of her work to assist women who suffer from fistulas. A nurse and midwife, Traoré heads Dimol, a NGO that helps women recovering from fistulas to rejoin society (Dimol means "dignity" in Peul). Traoré said: “This prize is also to the credit of all those who work with me. It will enable us to continue to raise awareness amongst vulnerable groups and lead the fight for respect for women's rights, (for) their dignity. We will use this money to produce T-shirts, posters (and) awareness-raising tools, that will allow us to give a greater visibility to the abuse of human rights in general – and of women in particular.” Read: Inter Press Service, IranMania

SINGER ADVOCATES SAFE MOTHERHOOD

UN News Centre reported June 15 that Tanzanian singer Stara Thomas is joining forces with the United Nations and its partners to advocate for safe motherhood. “In our country there is joy; in our country there is peace; in our country there is hope, but we still need to protect the women and the children, because their health is our future," said Stara, a mother of two who has written and performed an anthem about promoting safe motherhood and infant health called “Play your Part.” Stara voiced hope that her song will help motivate the Tanzanian government to increase the number of midwives and mobilize communities for reproductive health. Arletty Pinel, chief of UNFPA’s reproductive health branch, said: “Maternal deaths are not normal events. Women die because something goes wrong. Most women die, because they don't have access to life saving measures."

ASIA: Prevalence in Killing of Girls

FOX News reported June 13 on the systematic killing of girls in Asia before or soon after they are born. According to a recent UNFPA State of World Population Report, these practices, combined with neglect, have resulted in at least 60 million "missing" girls in Asia, creating gender imbalances and other serious problems that experts say will have far reaching consequences for years to come. The story noted that in India, where the child sex ratio is calculated as the number of girls per 1,000 boys in the 0-6 years of age group, the problem is severe. The 2001 Census shows there are only 927 girls per 1,000 boys, representing a sharp decline from 1961 when that number was 976. In certain parts of the country there are now fewer than 800 girls for every 1,000 boys. “The problem is more prevalent in the northern and western states, where prosperity, rapid fertility decline and patriarchal (male heads the family) mindsets combine to put girls at risk," said Ena Singh, UNFPA assistant representative in India. Read: FOX News

BANGLADESH: Five-Year  Initiative to Save Mothers and Babies

AAP reported June 13 that three U.N. agencies will assist in implementing a major five-year initiative to save lives and improve maternal and newborn health in Bangladesh. With $31.2 million in funding from the United Kingdom and the European Commission, the program, aimed at promoting a surge in use of quality health services, will be launched next month by the Bangladeshi government, UNFPA, UNICEF and WHO. The initiative seeks to cut maternal deaths by 15 percent and neonatal deaths by 25 percent and save 885 mothers and 24,000 newborns. Read: AAP, UN News Centre

BANGLADESH: HIV/AIDS Prevention Campaign in Ramu Upazila

Financial Express reported June 11 that a week-long campaign against HIV/AIDS, organized by the district information office and Upazila administration, got underway at Ramu Upazila of the district. The campaign, organized under a UNFPA assisted project, aims to raise awareness on safe motherhood, gender equality, family planning program, HIV/AIDS prevention, consequence of early marriage, reproductive health issues and violence against women. The launch was attended by Director of Department of Mass Communication Surath Kumar Sarker, Additional Deputy Commissioner M.D. Arifur Rahman Apu, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohd. Selimuddin and UNFPA's Cox's Bazar representative Wali Ahmed Fateh. Read: Financial Express

CAMBODIA: UNFPA Representative Honoured

Reasmei Kampuchea Daily and Koh Santepheap reported June 15  that UNFPA Representative Ms. Bettina Maas received a medal from the Government of Cambodia for UNFPA's significant achievements in contributing to the formulation of the National Strategic Development Plan,  the key implementing tool toward addressing sustainable population development, said HE Mr. Sok An, Deputy Prime Minister.

CAMEROON: Results from the 2005 Population Census Have Not Been Released

The Post reported June 14 that the Hon. Paulinus Toh Jua, MP for Boyo Constituency, criticized the government for deliberately delaying the release of the results of the 2005 population census. Jua said the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, UNFPA and International Development Partners, are embarrassed by the fact that the results of a population census carried out two years ago are yet to be published. Read: The Post

DJIBOUTI: Promotion of Adolescent Reproductive Health

La Nation reported June 11 that a workshop on the promotion of health of adolescents and youth was organized by the local Ministry of Health with technical and financial support from UNFPA. The objective of the 2-day workshop was to motivate young people to participate in the planning of a strategic health plan and to open a discussion on the needs and concerns young people may have regarding health issues. This event will be followed by a strategic workshop on June16.  Read: La Nation

Dominican Republic: Supervision of Teachers and Orientation to Children to Avoid Sexual Violations

Listin Diario, El Caribe reported 14 June the signature of agreement between the Law Office General of the Republic with the Patronage of Aid to Cases of Women Mistreated (PACAM by it is abbreviations in Spanish) and with UNFPA, to implement actions together to assist the victims of gender based and sexual violence. READ: Listin Diario , El Caribe

Dominican Republic: More Adolescents get Pregnant

Hoy, Diario a Diario reported 11 June that between 25 and 30 per cent of the childbirths in the Dominican Republic are to adolescents, constituting one of the highest numbers of Latin America and a serious social and healthproblem, said the UNFPA representative of the Dominican Republic, Gilka Meléndez. The story said that the main causes of death in young women in the Capital are related to HIV/AIDS, followed by abortions. READ: Hoy , Diario a Diario

Dominican Republic: Public Youth Policies

Hoy reported 11 June that the Secretariat of State of Youth, the United Nations Population Fund and the Presidential Council of AIDS (COPRESIDA by it is abbreviations in Spanish) work in a project on Youth Policies. The Secretariats of Education, Health, Deportes, Work and Superior Education, are also involved. READ: HOY

DRC: Study on Use of RH Services

All Africa reported June 14 that the National Program on Reproductive Health conducted a study on the use of reproductive health services in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The study examined the quality of services offered, analyzed clients’ knowledge on reproductive health issues and assessed the competency of the staff. The study was realized with UNFPA’s support in collaboration with local partners and it aims to increase the use of reproductive health services. Read: All Africa 

DRC: Women's Needs must  be  Prioritized

Le Potentiel reported June 18 that the specific needs of women have not been taken into account by the ruling parties during the current electoral period. According to national and international NGOs issues concerning health, rights and education of women have not been considered sufficiently. Analysts have appealed to UNFPA and UNIFEM to strengthen their role in this field. Read: Le Potentiel 

INDIA: Workshop on Gender and Media

New Kerala reported June 16 that at a three-day workshop at Lonavala on “Gender and Media,” the demand for a male child is an important trigger for domestic violence with women bearing the brunt for their perceived 'inability' to provide a male child, and this is often used as an excuse for bigamy and desertion, said Population First Executive Trustee S. V. Sista. Speaking on the occasion UNFPA State Program Officer Anuja Gulati said: “India remains a highly patriarchal society where women are marginalized and denied development benefits. In some districts with low sex ratios the adverse impact is already visible with many men not able to find wives.” Read: New Kerala

KENYA: Procurement Irregularities Put Country on the Verge of Condom Crisis

The Nation reported June 16 that Kenya is in the grips of a condom crisis because of procurement irregularities. A Ministry of Health survey of distribution across the country shows that this year's stock levels are at just under 30 million for males against an annual requirement of 132 million. Female condom stocks stand at 85,180 against an annual requirement of 1 million. Although the government secured some Sh240 million to buy 120 million more condoms that would give an 18-month reprieve, the delivery has not been made because of pitched battles over the supply tender. Twice in recent times the government asked UNFPA to provide emergency supplies to stock dispensers around the country. UNFPA is giving 25 million male condoms and 197,000 for females. An unnamed ministry official said buying condoms in bulk introduces a financial dimension to the exercise that can delay procurement for months – even years. The only way to avoid the battles, he suggested, was to reduce the volumes bought so that procurement covered three or six months rather than three years. Read: The Nation

MADAGASCAR: Free Provision of Family Planning Services

Les Nouvelles reported June 13 that in order to improve the family planning situation in Madagascar free provision of family planning services will be made available from July. Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Rahantanirina announced to the National Assembly that according to UNFPA’s statistics 25 per cent of the demand for contraceptive products cannot be met and this leads to several unplanned pregnancies. With the endorsement of UNFPA and the World Bank project on Supplement Credit for Health (CRESAN) new family planning services are being made available.

MOZAMBIQUE: NGOs Briefed on Upcoming Population Census

Agencia de Informacao de Mocambique reported June 14 that the president of Mozambique's National Statistics Institute, Jooa Loureiro, met with representatives of foreign NGOs operating in Mozambique to brief them on the national population census scheduled for the first half of August and requested their assistance in providing vehicles. The Central Census Office currently has just 106 vehicles for the whole country – which is less than one per district. Loureiro said the total cost of the census is $35 million provided by the government, the European Union, the World Bank, UNFPA, and UNICEF. The story noted that kits issued to census takers will contain material on preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS – including free condoms. Read: Agencia de Informacao de Mocambique

NEPAL: 600,000 Women Suffer from Uterine Prolapse

Rising Nepal reported June 12 that research by the WHO has showed that 600,000 women of reproductive age are suffering from uterine prolapse in Nepal – among them, 200,000 are in dire need of treatment. At an orientation for media people organized by the Population and Reproductive Health Integrated Project, Kapilvastu, the data was introduced  from research conducted by UNFPA and Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, including the WHO. Read: Rising Nepal

NIGERIA: 130 Traditional Birth Attendants Trained

Daily Trust reported June 17 that the Sunni Hospital in Maiduguri has so far trained over 130 traditional birth attendants with conventional skills aimed at helping pregnant women deliver their babies safely. A study on maternal mortality conducted by UNFPA indicates that antenatal clinic attendance is about 37 per cent while deliveries attended to by trained medical personnel is only 11per cent. The study also said only 19 per cent of male spouses were observed to be aware of safe motherhood practices as a result of which infant mortality rate was high. Read: Daily Trust

NIGERIA: New UNFPA Resident Named

Xinhua General News Service reported June 14 that UNFPA has appointed Sidiki Coulibaly as its new representative in Nigeria. The new representative succeeds Niangoran Essan, who is now director in the UNFPA Country Support Team in Harare, Zimbabwe. Coulibaly served as UNFPA representative in seven African countries before assuming duty in Nigeria. His last posting was in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Read: Xinhua General News Service

NIGERIA: High Maternal Mortality Rate and Incidence of Fistula

The Daily Champion reported June 13 that an estimated 500,000 women die each year throughout the world from complications of pregnancy and childbirth – 55,000 of these deaths occur in Nigeria. At the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria’s seminar to commemorate the 2007 World Biomedical Laboratory Science Day, the theme of this year was “Biomedical Laboratory Scientist, contributing to health of mothers and children.” In his keynote address, Prof. Friday Okonofua of the College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin Edo State pointed out that Nigeria is only two percent of the world's population but accounts for over 10 percent of the world's maternal deaths in childbirth. In addition, he said UNFPA estimates that 2 million women suffer Vesico-Vaginal Fistula globally, 40 percent of these (800,000) women are in Nigeria. Read: Daily Champion

NIGERIA: Guidelines for Country’s Development

The Tide reported June 13 that guidelines have been developed to ensure that all participants in the country’s development plans are fully aware of their roles and responsibilities. The participants: IBRD, DFID, EU, UNDP, UNICEF, UNPF, DFD, USAID and WHO have aligned their local programs to support the development planning efforts of the country and improve the quality of their assistance to the nation. Read: The Tide

PACIFIC: Meeting on Women, Youth and HIV/AIDS

PNG Post-Courier reported June 13 that at a week-long meeting to discuss women, youth and HIV in the Pacific, church representatives from 13 countries in the Pacific region have developed country action plans in response to the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic in the region. More than 40 people have attended the meeting, organized by the PCC with the support of UNFPA, South Pacific Community, UNICEF and UNAIDS.

PAKISTAN: Country’s Population at 161 Million

Business Recorder reported June 12 that the Federal Budget 2007-08 documents have reported Pakistan's population at 159.3 million on June 30, 2007, while UNFPA’s 2006 State of World Population report declared the country's population at 161 million. Read: Business Recorder

PERU: SIS Signs Agreement with UNFPA

RPP Noticias, El Comercio reported 12 June that the head of the Integral Insurance of Health Dr. Julio Espinoza Jiménez, and representative of UNFPA in Peru Esteban Caballero Carrioza signed the cooperation agreement that during the present year will ensure the financial and technical support for diverse activities that will improve the access to health services of the poorest population of the country, especially  women. READ: RPP Noticias , El Comercio

QATAR: PM and Cabinet Approves Agreement between Government and UNFPA

The Qatar News Agency reported June 14 that the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H. E. Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani and the regular Cabinet approved the contribution to a credit fund agreement between Qatar and UNFPA on Technical Support of Populations and Development. Read: Qatar News Agency

SUDAN: UNFPA Leads Effort to End Obstetric Fistula

UN News Centre reported June 12 that UNFPA is leading an effort to end obstetric fistula in Sudan, where 5,000 new cases occur per year. In Southern Sudan there are only eight qualified midwives and fewer than 30 general practitioners. The Campaign to End Fistula, which started in 2003 and currently operates in over 40 countries, aims to end fistula worldwide by 2015 to meet the Millennium Development Goals. “Prevention is at the heart of this Campaign,” Saira Stewart, UNFPA Media Officer, told the UN News Service. “In the long run, prevention also entails tackling underlying social and economic inequities through efforts aimed at empowering women and girls, enhancing their life opportunities and delaying marriage and childbirth.” Stewart added: “Fistula treatment goes far beyond the surgical repair. Many patients, especially those who have lived with the condition for years, will need emotional, economic and social support to fully recover from their ordeal." Read: UN News Centre

SWAZILAND: Communication Barriers

The Swazi Observer reported June 12 on an initiative for more openness in the armed forces to talk about HIV and AIDS. The workshop, sponsored by UNFPA, addressed the the importance of open communication amon all levels in the armed forces to address the AIDS pandemic. Brigadier General Gwalagwala Dlamini said the communication hurdle known as the "rank-barrier" stood in the way for officers to openly relate their problems and seek councelling  form seniors in the force.

THAILAND: Training to Prepare Young Couples for Marriage

Matichon reported June 13 on a training course in the Songkhla province that aims to prepare young couples for marriage. The curriculum reflects today’s youth culture and addresses a variety of social issues including casual sex, unwanted pregnancy, drug abuse, HIV/AIDS, early marriage, and divorce. The training, based on a model piloted jointly in three southern provinces by UNFPA and Planned Parenthood of Thailand under the previous UNFPA program cycle, is now provided by the local administration of the predominantly Muslim area.

UGANDA: UNFPA Makes Donations to Youth and Family Planning Organizations

New Vision reported June 16 that UNFPA has donated office equipment and a vehicle worth sh62m to the Uganda National Youth Network and the Family Planning Association of Uganda for use in HIV/AIDS prevention. Speaking at the handover, Brian Kironde, UNFPA's national program associate, said they procured a double-cabin pickup worth $30,000 (about sh50m) for the family planning association, while sh12m was spent on the equipment. Nestor Owomuhangi, UNFPA program officer, explained that the youth network was funded to address sexual reproductive health problems that affect the youth. Read: New Vision

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