UNFPA IN THE NEWS — JUNE 18-24, 2007

UNFPA TO LAUNCH 2007 STATE OF WORLD POPULATION REPORT

Business Recorder reported June 18 that UNFPA will launch its 2007 State of World Population report on Wednesday, June 27. This year's report, titled “Unleashing the Potential of Urban Growth,” highlights the rapid growth of cities naming it as the single largest influence on development in the 21st century.

BANGLADESH: Population Rate Must Be Monitored to Develop Health Sector

The Financial Express reported June 19 that Adviser for Health and Family Welfare A. S. M. Matiur Rahman said the government needs to check the rising population rate in order to develop the health sector. At the 6-day consultative workshop on “Capacity-building and strategic policy development,” organized by the Partners in Population and Development, in collaboration with UNFPA, UNFPA Senior Technical Advisor Rabbi Royan was among delegates who attended the workshop. Read: Financial Express

BANGLADESH: Symposium on Safe Motherhood and Planned Family

The New Nation reported June 20 that at a symposium on “Safe Motherhood and Planned Family," Professor S. M. A. Faiz, Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University, urged government and non-government organizations to enhance resources for safe motherhood because every year thousands of mothers die for lack of proper treatment. The university’s Population Science department in collaboration with UNFPA arranged the program. Nurul Ameen, UNFPA assistant representative, addressed the symposium as one of the special guests. Read: The New Nation

COTE D'IVOIRE: Upgrade of Three Maternity Wards

DRC: Awareness on Gender-Based Violence

ETHIOPIA: UNFPA and UNICEF’s Work in Refugee Camps

The Reporter reported June 23 that U.N. agencies are working together in refugee camps in Ethiopia to stop gender-based violence. The story noted that UNFPA is providing male and female condoms for the camps: some 1.1 million male condoms and 10,000 female condoms in 2007, compared to 620,000 male condoms and 10,000 female condoms in 2006. The story also listed UNFPA’s funding for the International Red Cross for an integrated reproductive health and HIV program; UNFPA’s gender-based violence assessment in Shimelba and Kebribeyah refugee camps; and the agency’s donation of 114 PEP kits (Post Exposure Prophylaxis treatment) to cover the needs in all refugee camps.

JAMAICA: Photography Competition Winners Announced

The Jamaica Gleaner reported June 24 that the winning entries from the 2006-2007 Youth Zoom Photography Competition, a project of the Jamaica National Building Society Foundation, will be displayed at the annual awards ceremony in St. Ann. The story noted that a vital component of the project included advocacy sessions taught by a UNFPA representative. Read: Jamaica Gleaner

INDIA: Government, Judges and Spiritual Leaders Join the Fight to Save the Girl Child

Indian Express reported June 20 that in an effort to save the missing girl child, at least 126 members of Parliament, judges, district collectors and spiritual leaders from Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Chandigarh will receive some funding to address the issue. The campaign includes setting up a National Support and Monitoring Cell in association with UNFPA to strengthen the Pre-conception and Pre natal Diagnostic Techniques  Act. Read: Indian Express

KENYA: Lack of Condoms Leading to Crisis

The Nation reported on June 16 that Kenya is in the midst of a condom crisis due to procurement problems. A report by the Ministry of Health found that the stock levels for male condoms are 100 million short and a more than 900,000 short for female condoms. The government has turned to UNFPA to provide emergency supplies. UNFPA is providing 25 million male condoms and 197,000 for females. 

LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN: Review of HIV-Related Projects Targeting Youth

Channel 5 reported June 18 on a review of HIV-related projects targeting vulnerable youths in six countries in Central America and the Caribbean that started in 2003. According to Dr. Mario Vergara, OPEC Fund and UNFPA program coordinator, the projects “are aimed to strengthen capacity building through the supply and demand of youth-friendly services to prevent HIV among especially vulnerable youth. We are seeking for innovative approaches with youth participation for the different activities and strategies contained in the project.” Jose Ferraris, UNFPA deputy director of the Latin American and Caribbean Division, said, “This meeting will provide us with the opportunity to exchange experiences and share lessons learnt among each of the participating countries, governments and other regional partners, discuss the conclusions and recommendations based on the program results and external evaluation that was conducted on this particular project and, as my colleagues have already mentioned, to identify areas for scaling up HIV prevention among especially vulnerable youth in the region.” Read: Channel 5

LIBERIA: Midwifery Day Celebrated

The Analyst reported June 30 that the Liberia Midwifery Association in conjunction with unregistered midwives in Liberia hosted a day-long celebration in observance of Midwifery Day in Liberia. During the program, UNFPA National Program Officer Jacob Lawuoba Sumo said the need for the training for midwives is enormous.

NEW ZEALAND: Aid Given to Somalia and Iraq Conflict Areas

The New Zealand Herald reported June 19 that the government is giving NZ$1.4 million to help people affected by conflict in Somalia and Iraq. The government will contribute NZ$700,000 each to the International Committee of the Red Cross and UNFPA for its work in assisting more than 2.1 million Somalis in critical need of help amid the continuing civil war there. Read: The New Zealand Herald, New Zealand Press Association

NIGER: World Bank and UNFPA Provide Aid

United Press International reported June 20 that the World Bank approved a US$10 million grant to help the Niger government balance economic growth with its rapidly increasing population growth. Another US$2.4 million is expected from UNFPA. Money from the bank will be spent in part to increase awareness of reproductive health issues nationwide and improve women's social status in the country. Read: United Press International

PAKISTAN: High Maternal Mortality in Balochistan Province

IRIN reported June 18 that for many women in Pakistan’s remote south-western Balochistan Province, giving birth can be deadly. According to UNFPA, the maternal mortality ratio is 650 per 100,000 live births in Balochistan – nearly two times the national average. Mobashar Malik, UNFPA’s national program manager, described health services in Balochistan’s rural areas as being particularly poor. Read: IRIN

PHILIPPINES: UNFPA to Build Health Stations after Super Typhoon

The Catanduanes Tribune reported June 20 that UNFPA will provide funds for the construction and provisioning of seven barangay health stations in five towns hit hard by super typhoon "Reming" last November 2006. Pepe R. Nebril, coordinator of the UNFPA Disaster Management Program in the Philippines, told the Tribune that the typhoon-proof, concrete structures, which will double as evacuation centers during calamities, will be built in remote areas with big catchment population as identified by the Rural Health Units. Read: The Catanduanes Tribune, The Philippine Inquirer

RWANDA: HIV/AIDS Implementers Meeting Held

The New Times reported June 24 that at the conclusion of an HIV/AIDS implementers meeting, participants walked away conceding that there was still a challenge in disseminating information to youth in the fight against the disease. The participants implored that young people should be empowered to possess the knowledge and skills required to make informed, voluntary and responsible life choices, including decisions about sexual and reproductive health. The story noted that UNFPA seeks to promote and protect their rights, provide opportunities to develop their full potential and welcomes and respects their voices and views. Read: The New Times

SUDAN: Midwives in Low Supply

Christian Science Monitor’s Scott Baldauf reported June 21 on his recent trip to Sudan where he took a ride with UNFPA officials into the desert to find a midwife, Kultoon Mohammad Alameen. In her mid-50s, she is the model of a modern Sudanese midwife – women like Kultoon become leaders of their community and are often the only healthcare for miles. Unfortunately, Kultoon doesn't have a successor to take over when her time is done. "I'm always encouraging young women, but the response is weak," she says. "Young women just don't want to become midwives." In fact, for those villagers who can afford it, a trip to Khartoum to the maternity hospital has become more fashionable than a free visit from the local midwife, she said. Read: The Christian Science Monitor

UNITED STATES: 34 Million Friends of UNFPA Honored

The Press Enterprise reported June 23 that Jane Roberts received a Sapphire Award from the League of Women Voters of Southwest Riverside County in the Leadership in Women's Health category. The story noted that five years ago Roberts began a grassroots organization, 34 Million Friends, to raise funds and awareness for UNFPA. “I've always been a champion of women and girls – I just think they are nice people,” said Roberts, of Redlands, CA. “We are all of woman born.” Read: Press Enterprise

UZBEKISTAN: Educators Participate in Reproductive Health Training

UzReport.com reported June 22 that educators are attending two six-day trainings modeled after the "equal-to-equal" principle. The trainings will be conducted June 25-July 7 by UNFPA in cooperation with the Centre of Secondary Specialized and Professional Education of the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education of Uzbekistan. Participants will learn about the educational methods in such issues as prevention of HIV/AIDS and other venereal diseases, reproductive health, gender and several other themes important for young people. “The end goal of this event is to improve youth's access to information on reproductive health, prevention of HIV/AIDS, gender equality, and other issues. Besides, teenagers and young people will learn about the services and assistance they can receive if they face the said problems," UNFPA reproductive health specialist Ulugbek Zaribbaev said. Read: UzReport.com

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