UNFPA IN THE NEWS — MARCH 12-18, 2007
A CASE FOR BRAVING THE POPULATION DISCUSSION
The Observer ran a March 18 column by Juliette Jowit who examined population issues. In the column she said,” Even when people acknowledge the problem and brave the debate, it seems too big to solve. But there are things that can be done at least to reduce population growth. Last week the UN Population Fund said its latest projections 'underline the urgency of family planning needs'.” The report also says 200 million women in the world don't have access to 'safe and effective' contraceptive services, and calls for a big increase in funding for family planning, especially in developing nations. Jowit concluded: “It is understandable then that people are worried about discussing population, but fear of misrepresentation, offence or failure are not good enough reasons to ignore one half of the world's biggest problem: the population effect on climate change.” Read: The Observer
UN REPORT: WORLD POPULATION PROSPECT
Inter Press Service reported March 14 on the UN Population Division’s World Population Prospects: 2006 Revision report that says global population will increase by 2.5 billion over the next 43 years, growing from the current 6.7 billion to 9.2 billion in 2050. As a result of declining fertility and increasing longevity, the populations of more and more countries are aging rapidly, according to Hania Zlotnik, director of the Population Division. The story noted that Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, executive director of UNFPA, said: “Population ageing is a twentieth-century phenomenon resulting partly from improvements in life expectancy. It also coincides with history's largest-ever cohort of young people. The challenge is to meet the needs of older persons while at the same time meeting the urgent needs of the young, especially in developing countries.” The story also noted the new population estimates assume that this investment in family planning will take place. The new projections “are yet another wake-up call to the urgency of giving couples the means to exercise their human right to freely determine the sizes of their families,” said Obaid. Access to family planning could decide if the world adds 2.5 billion or 5 billion people to its population by 2050, according to the new estimates.
United Press International’s March 13 story on UN’s population report quoted UNFPA’s Executive Director Thoraya Obaid as saying: "Currently, about 200 million women in these countries lack access to safe and effective contraceptive services. Funding for family planning must be increased to meet the needs of these women, not only to determine the world's future, but also to prevent unintended pregnancies and reduce maternal and infant death." Read: NTV/Ru , UTRO/Ru
Azerbaijan: Day Az reported March 15 that according to a report by UNFPA, the population of Azerbaijan will reach 9.5 million instead of 8.5 million. The report says that the population growth will stabilize by 2025. Starting in 2025 it will decline and by 2050 the population of Azerbaijan will reach 9.4 million. Read: Day AZ/Ru
Brazil: O Globo reported March 14 that population projections released by the UN point to a 13 percent increase in the number of people aged 60 or older by the year 2050. The article quoted UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid as saying the world now faces the challenge of meeting both the needs of the elderly and the youth. Read: O Globo
Lebanon: Albalad reported March 18 that based on the new UN projections for the world’s population by the year 2050, UNFPA Executive Director, Ms. Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, confirmed the need of couples in the developing countries to exercise their human rights and to decide on the size of their families. According to the projections, the world population will increase by 2.5 billion to reach 9.2 billion by the year 2050. ”This report is taking into cosideration a decline in fertility rates in developing countries,” Ms Obaid pointed out. Read: Albalad Online/Ar
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY COVERAGE CONTINUED
Inter Press Service reported March 12 that a coalition of over 140 international non-governmental organizations and women's groups praised Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for expressing support for the creation of a new U.N. agency for women. "We believe the public support of the secretary-general is a very important step in moving closer towards the implementation of this new women's entity," said June Zeitlin, executive director of the New York-based Women's Environment and Development Organization. On International Women's Day, the secretary-general said such a new body should be able to call on all of the U.N. system's resources in the work to empower women and realize gender equality worldwide. The proposal for the creation of new gender architecture includes the consolidation of three existing U.N. entities under a single new U.N. agency to be headed by an under-secretary-general, the third highest ranking post in the world body. Zeitlin said the three existing women's units have a total budget of about $65 million, compared to $450 million for UNFPA and about $2 billion for UNICEF. "These recommendations present the best opportunity to reduce the gap between the rhetoric on gender equality at the United Nations and the reality of women's lives," she added. Read: Inter Press Service
Rwanda: The New Times ran a March 12 opinion piece marking International Women's Day that noted according to a 2001 report by UNFPA, sex and gender socialization is deeply integrated into the fabric of most cultures.
U.N. COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN
United Press International reported March 12 that during the 51st Session of the U.N. Economic and Social Council's Commission on the Status of Women, U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres said his agency was joining nine sister U.N. agencies to take concerted action against sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations. The story noted that UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid said while progress has been made in the adoption of laws, much greater action is needed to ensure laws are enforced. "Everyone should understand that violence against women and girls is unacceptable and will no longer be tolerated," she said. Read: United Press International
CRITICISMS OF TOP APPOINTMENTS FOR U.N. POSTS
Inter Press Service reported March 14 that several diplomats from developing nations are questioning Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s initial pledge to appoint senior officials “with due regard for gender balance and geographical representation.” Ban was criticized for his initial appointments from P-5 countries, United States, Britain, France, China and Russia. The story noted that Ban will also appoint new deputies in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Department of Political Affairs, UNICEF, and UNFPA.
AFGHANISTAN: UNFPA Funds Women’s Consultancy Centers
Pajhwok Afghan News reported March 16 that UNFPA will provide $1 million to Afghanistan’s Ministry of Women Affair to establish women’s consultancy centers in seven provinces. Agreement was signed between the Minister for Women Affairs Hassan Bano Ghazanfar and UNFPA Representative Alain Sibenaler. Sibenaler said they would build gynecology and mental healthcare centers in Kabul, Badakhshan, Bamyan, Herat, Logar, Faryab and Baghlan provinces.
BRAZIL: Ministry of Health Opens HIV-Prevention Exhibit at Schools
Agora reported March 14 on the opening of a national exhibition on HIV-prevention initiatives at schools. The exhibition is part of Saude e Prevencao nas Escolas (Health and Prevention at Schools); a HIV-prevention project carried out by the Ministry of Health with the support of UNFPA and other U.N. agencies in Brazil. Read: Agora
JAMAICA: Annual Photography Competition Expanded
Jamaica Observer reported March 18 that the Jamaica National Building Society Foundation's annual photography competition for rural schools in Cornwall County is expanding to embrace rural schools island wide. This year’s contest, entitled “Youth Zoom,” involves organizers such as UNFPA's advocacy and communications advisor, Althea Buchanan, and other experts such as photographers Michael Chen and O'Neil Lawrence. Read: Jamaica Observer
JAMAICA: A Growing Sense of Pride
The Jamaica Observer ran a March 17 letter by Dorrett Campbell, a Jamaican youth, who reflected on her growing Jamaican pride while participating in the Caribbean Commission on Youth Development in Paramaribo, Suriname. She mentioned that throughout the three-day meeting, her pride grew as she observed the composed Tamian Beckford, "Ward of the State" and current sixth-form student of Meadowbrook High School. She mentioned Beckford is also youth adviser to the UNFPA and president of the National Secondary Students Council. Read: Jamaica Observer
JAPAN AND NEPAL: Emergency Assistance for Nepal
Xinhua General News Service reported March 17 that the Japanese government will provide emergency assistance totaling about $4.8 million in a bid to help improve Nepal's humanitarian situation and boost the country's peace-building. The story noted that about $4.4 million will go to UNICEF and about $400,000 will go to UNFPA in response to the U.N. Common Appeal for Transition Support. Read: Xinhua General News Service, Himalayan Times
LEBANON: Increase in Fertility Rate
MOROCCO: IPPF/AWR Calls for Efforts to Increase Health Efforts
KUNA reported March 12 that IPPF/AWR, International Planned Parenthood Federation for the Arab Region called on the Arab States to increase efforts for a health strategy partnership to serve the health sector. IPPF commended UNFPA’s work and support for Arab women’s and health issues. Read: KUNA/Ar
MOZAMBIQUE: Funding Delays Hold Up Preparations for National Census
Agencia de Informacao de Mozambique reported March 17 that delays in the release of promised donor funds are holding up preparations for Mozambique's third population census, scheduled for this coming August. The story noted that the main funding agency for the census is the European Union, while UNFPA is in charge of managing the money.
NICARAGUA: UNFPA Donates Educational Equipment
La Prensa reported March 13 that UNFPA donated educational audio-visual equipment to the organization, "Fe y Alegría" (Faith and Happiness). The equipment will be used for bolster the group’s sex education program. Read: La Prensa
RUSSIA: Journalists Review Demographics
Izvestia reported March 13 that a UNFPA-funded contest, “Demographic situation in Russia viewed by journalists,” has reached its final phase. More than 400 professional journalists took part in the competition presenting their articles on demographic issues like: men’s mortality, young people and drugs, risks on people at their reproductive ages. Read: izvestiaur/Ru
SYRIA: Workshop Held on Women’s Issues
Tishreen Newspaper reported March 13 that the Ministry of Information, in cooperation with UNFPA organized a workshop for media professionals on women’s issues in Syria’s eastern and northern parts. Read: Tishreen/Ar
UNITED STATES: Letter Voices Disapproval for U.S. Leadership
Wausau Daily Herald ran a March 15 letter by reader, James Lewis, who wrote: “Our national leaders have refused to release appropriated funding for the United Nations Population Fund. This will result in many unintended pregnancies, and increase the demand for abortion.” He concluded: “Our national leaders have forgotten the real needs of our country and the world. How can these men be favored by our approval and respect? Instead, they are deserving of censure and, I believe, removal from office.”
YEMEN: Partners in population development will face challenges together
Althawra Newspaper reported March 14 that during the signing ceremony for UNFPA new program cycle 2007-2011, the minister said that population issues are important and need to be addressed by all stakeholders seriously. UNFPA reiterated its support for Yemeni efforts to implement a national population policy related to the five-year plan and poverty reduction strategy for the MDGs. Read: Al-Thawra News/Ar, 14october/Ar, Yemen Times/En
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