UNFPA IN THE NEWS — OCTOBER 8-14, 2007

NEW MATERNAL MORTALITY ESTIMATES RELEASED AHEAD OF CONFERENCE IN LONDON

The Lancet featured an October 13-19 special issue on the upcoming Women Deliver conference Oct. 18-20, in London. Ahead of the conference, WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA and the World Bank released a report that found women are dying from complicated pregnancies and childbirth at almost the same rate they were in 1990 with the vast majority of deaths occurring in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia. Associated Press reported October 13 that the report estimated that 536,000 women died due to complications in pregnancy or childbirth in 2005, compared to 576,000 in 1990. “In this 21st century no woman should die giving life. Millions of lives are at stake and we must act now," said UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid. The report called for the prevention of unplanned pregnancies and unsafe abortions to achieve the Millennium Development Goal set by world leaders at a U.N. summit in 2000. It also called for high-quality pregnancy and delivery care. Obaid named three simple interventions needed to reduce maternal mortality: skilled birth attendants, emergency obstetric care, and family planning.  Read: Associated Press, Agence-France Presse, The Guardian, The Independent, NPR-News Blog, Voice of America, Asian News International, Press Trust of India, Accra Mail: Oct. 8 and Oct. 12, Bernama, AHN

The Lancet ran an opinion piece by UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Obaid who wrote: “At the midpoint in the timeline to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), the absence of progress in reduction of maternal mortality and morbidity is unacceptable. The urgent and life-threatening circumstances of millions of women call for quick, concerted, and decisive actions to be taken now and sustained through 2015 and beyond. The new MDG 5 target to achieve universal access to reproductive health, in line with the International Conference on Population and Development, paves the way for faster progress.” She concluded: “There is so much that can be accomplished if partners combine efforts and work together. Such collaboration is the only way to achieve MDG 5 and promote the vision that no woman should die giving life.”

The Lancet also ran a story on Uganda’s Pius Okong, the second child in a family of 12 who 30 years later is a leading international figure in the Save the Mothers Initiative and president of the Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Uganda. His career has taken him all over the world; training in Ireland and Germany, studying for his PhD at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, and serving as a consultant for many international organizations, including WHO, UNFPA and UNICEF. As leaders in maternal health gather in London this week to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Safe Motherhood Initiative, Okong says that he "hopes that the Women Deliver meeting will not just be a time for reflection and looking back, but that each person can leave the conference thinking 'this is how I am going to reassess and strengthen my plans to reduce maternal mortality in my country.'"

Ecudaor: The Lancet’s October 13-19 issue reported that efforts to improve maternal and child health in Ecuador need to include participation of indigenous communities in order to have a sustainable effect. The story noted that in August 2006, Ecuador's Ministry of Health developed its first National Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Plan that integrates an intercultural perspective into sexual and reproductive health services. It follows on from the Maternal and Child Health Law passed in 1994, which guarantees free reproductive health services for all women and establishes mechanisms for community monitoring and the promotion of intercultural models of care. According to UNFPA Deputy Representative Lily Rodríguez, the aim is to achieve more equitable relationships between the vision of modern medicine and that of traditional care, for the benefit of users.

Guatemala: Ahead of the conference, The Guardian reported October 12 on maternal mortality in Guatemala. "Guatemala is one of the countries in Latin America with the biggest challenges and the biggest shortfalls," said Javier Dominguez, UNFPA's regional expert on maternal health. Read: The Guardian

Cerigua reported October 12 that Guatemala has the highest maternal mortality rate in Latin America. According to a press release issued by UNFPA, maternal mortality is declining too slowly to reach the fifth Millennium Development Goal. These kinds of deaths decreased an annual 2 percent region-wide. More efforts should be made to improve reproductive health in the country, reported Cerigua. Read: Cerigua

Nepal: Uterine Prolapse Is Prevalent Despite Decrease in Maternal Mortality

The Lancet reported October 13-19 that although a recent survey has indicated a sharp fall in the maternal mortality ratio in Nepal, the decline is not evenly spread across the country and uterine prolapse is prevalent. Uterine prolapse is often the result of difficult labor, frequent pregnancies, lack of antenatal care, and a rigorous working schedule. In less severe cases, the womb can be stabilised by inserting a rubber ring or pessary, but surgery is required in severe cases. According to UNFPA 600,000 women all over Nepal need urgent medical care for the condition. Read: IRIN

United States: Cox News Service reported October 12 that the United States ranks 41st in the world for maternal mortality, with one in 4,800 women dying from pregnancy complications, according to a report by the WHO, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNDP and the World Bank. More than 1,500 world leaders plan to attend the "Women Deliver" global conference Oct. 18-20 in London where the organizations will present their findings in more detail and discuss ways to reduce poverty and increase access to health care.

UNITED NATIONS LAUNCHES APPEAL FOR ASSISTANCE IN COMBATING HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Indo-Asian News Service reported October 10 that at the launch of a two-day conference on human trafficking called U.N. Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking, the U.N. appealed to the corporate, financial and civil society sectors for their assistance in combating human trafficking and rehabilitation of the victims around the world. Renuka Choudhary, Indian Minister of Women and Child Development; Oscar Fernandes, Minister for Labor and Employment; Madhukar Gupta, Secretary Ministry of Home Affairs; delegates from south Asian countries; senior officials of UNFPA, UNDP, UNIFEM, UNICEF, ILO and several law officials participated in the conference.

ASIA-PACIFIC: Aiding Aging Population

UN News Centre reported October 11 that over 100 representatives from governments, non-governmental organizations and academia from 26 Asian and Pacific countries along with United Nations officials have forged a document on helping the region’s large population of older persons. The story noted that over the next 45 years, Asians aged 60 and older will triple in number, to 1.3 billion, and grow from 10 per cent to 25 per cent of the population, due to falling fertility and rising life expectancy, according to UNFPA, which estimates that Japan’s over-60 population will grow from 28 per cent today to 44 per cent by 2050. Garimela Giridhar, director of UNFPA’s Country Support Team for East and South-East Asia, said the agency is working in a number of Asian countries to advocate anti-discriminatory legislation, promote data collection and analysis, and encourage families and communities to support older people. Read: UN News Centre

CAMBODIA: Urban Population Growth Increasing

Xinhua General News Service reported October 8 that UNFPA said the urban poor accounted for one-fourth to even half of the 1.5 million people in Cambodia's capital city Phnom Penh. According to UNFPA, Cambodia's urban population growth rate is at 4.9 percent and the process of urban migration is increasing.

CHILE: Interview with Thoraya Obaid, UNFPA Executive Director

El Mercurio published an October 10 interview with UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Obaid. She was quoted as saying that that the capacity to decide how many children families want to have is a human right. Obaid said that families should receive more support in the form of child care. She said economic incentives for families is a national policy decision, but highlighted that the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo concluded with the international community agreeing that there should not be incentives or disincentives regarding the number of children families decide to have. From a human rights point of view, men and women must be free to make this decision themselves, said Obaid. Read: El Mercurio

DRC: Sexual Violence Worst in the World

Voice of America reported October 8 that the United Nations said the prevalence of sexual violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is the worst in the world. Since fighting erupted in the region six weeks ago between rebels and the Congolese army, women in eastern Congo say sexual brutality has risen to new heights. The report quoted Angela Kishabagasifa, who works for UNFPA at the Bulengo camp that is home to 13,000 people, as saying the eldest rape victim she had counseled during the past two weeks was between 65 and 75 years old. The youngest was four years old. "There is no respect for age," she said. "The old and the young are both victims. I think it is more a desire to destroy rather than getting any pleasure out of this act. It is not about destroying an enemy. It is about destroying women. There is no respect anymore in eastern Congo." Read: Voice of America

IRIN’s October 12 story noted that  Kivu Jean-Claude Kamanga who works for UNFPA in the North said the situation was all the more alarming because the region has an HIV/AIDS prevalence rate of more than five per cent. "Rape victims who turn up more than 24 hours after the attack have more chance of becoming infected," said Kamanga, adding that some of these women suffered injuries that could lead to fistula. Read: IRIN

EUROPE: European Union Fails to Increase Aid for Contraception and Sex Education

Inter Press Service reported October 10 that the European Union has failed to fulfill its promise to increase aid for contraception and sex education in poor countries, according to family planning advocates. The story noted that the European Commission is planning to spend an average of just 12 million Euros specifically on sexual and reproductive health initiatives in poor countries each year between now and 2013. This sum is more than 6 million Euros less than the average yearly allocation between 2003 and 2006, according to study published Oct. 9 by the German Foundation for World Population. "Fighting AIDS is absolutely imperative morally and for fighting poverty," foundation spokeswoman Karen Hoehn said. "But family planning is too. European countries have shown such a consistent commitment in political rhetoric for family planning – there is no excuse for them not to provide funding." The story noted that UNFPA estimated that less than 20 percent of all sexually active young people in Africa use contraception. More than 200 million women worldwide are believed to want to delay or prevent pregnancy yet cannot do so, either because of social taboos or because they lack access to contraception. “The lives of 150,000 women could be saved each year if they had access to services,” said UNFPA Representative in Brussels Sietske Steneker. “Preventing an adolescent pregnancy can literally save the life of a young woman." Read: Inter Press Service

GERMANY: “Honour” Killing Appears to Be on the Increase

Agence France-Presse reported October 11 that an Iraqi who repeatedly stabbed his wife then burned her to death in front of their young son in Germany was given a life sentence in the latest "honour" killing trial to make national headlines. The story noted that UNFPA estimates that the annual worldwide total of killings might be as high as 5,000 women, and the crime appears to be on the rise among the 3 million Muslims living in Germany. Read: Agence France-Presse

GHANA: Miss Ghana Serves as Ambassador of Obstetric Fistula

Ghana News Agency reported October 12 that UNFPA and the Ghana government met with Frances Judith Takyi-Mensah, Miss Ghana 2007 and an ambassador of the Obstetrics Fistula Project. UNFPA Country Representative Makane Kane said UNFPA's special focus for the year was to make motherhood and delivery safer as part of the Millennium Development Goals. He described obstetric fistula as humiliating. “Why then allow our mothers suffer if a simple surgery can normally repair the injury," he asked. Read: Ghana News Agency

GUATEMALA: Media Urged to Cover Pre-natal Sex Selection as a Violation of Human Rights

Cerigua reported October 13 that at a meeting organized in collaboration with UNFPA, the Presidential Women’s Commission announced that it has taken on the issue of female feticide in the country. The meeting aimed to analyze the role of media and the different ways of preventing violence against women. UNFPA Representative in Guatemala Nadine Gasman said femicide rates in the country are alarming and urged editors and journalists on the need to cover femicide as a violation of human rights. Read: Cerigua

GUATEMALA: Adolescent Sexual Education Program Launched

Prensa Libre reported October 13 that the Juan Bautista Gutiérrez Foundation will launch a pilot program on adolescent sexual education in Jalapa. UNFPA will offer technical support to help organize training courses for teachers. Read: Prensa Libre

INDIA: Human Trafficking Increasing

Sify’s October 14 story quoted Malini Bhattacharya, prominent member of the National Commission for Women, as saying: "Human trafficking is a kind of international terrorism. It is the second largest crime after the drugs and arms trafficking in the world." Bhattacharya, a former member of Lok Sabha, says that the ever increasing number of female and child trafficking is very alarming. The story noted that UNFPA reports that between 600,000 and 800,000 women, men and children are trafficked across international borders each year. Of these, the majority is girls and women, and over 50 percent are children. Read: Sify

LIBERIA: President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf to Receive Humanitarian Award

The Inquirer reported October 10 that President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf will be the Guest of Honor at this year's Africare annual fundraising event to receive the Bishop Walker Humanitarian Award. Africare-Liberia notes that the Bishop Walker Dinner is the largest single annual benefit event for Africa held in Washington, DC. The story noted that in Liberia, Africare is implementing the 5-year, USAID-funded $10 million Improved Community Health Care Project (ICHP), which provides support for the rehabilitation and recovery of Liberia's health-care delivery system, focusing on maternal and child health. In conjunction with ICHP activities, Africare is managing smaller grants furnished by UNICEF, UNFPA and WHO. Read: Inquirer

MADAGASCAR: UNFPA Supporting Family Planning

Xinhua General News Service reported October 9 that UNFPA Sub-Saharan Africa Division Director Fama Hane Ba promised to provide $2.2 million to Antananarivo during her meeting with Madagascan President Marc Ravalomanana. UNFPA applauded the government's commitment to provide women with free access to contraceptives and increased financial support to Madagascar. Among the $2.2 million promised to Madagascar, $1.2 million is aimed at providing people with free contraceptive products, while the remaining would be provided as annual additional resources for Madagascar.

MALAYSIA: Mercy Malaysia Undergoing Restructuring

The Star reported October 10 on Mercy Malaysia, an internationally recognized medical and humanitarian relief organization, undergoing “a major restructuring exercise” in its eighth year. President Datuk Dr. Jemilah Mahmood said: “It is very challenging to find good people to work with us. The NGO sector does not always pay the best salaries compared to the corporate sector, but we have very good people on board. We have offices in Nias, Afghanistan and London and plan to open offices in Jakarta and Cambodia and expand into Timor Leste and other parts of Asia.” The organization also sealed partnerships with UNHCR and UNFPA for their guidance, technical support and assistance. Read: The Star

MONGOLIA: Dr. Munkhuu Honored for Advocating for Women

Mongolia Web reported October 11 that at the Americans for UNFPA Gala in New York, Dr. Dorj Munkhuu, a policy leader for women in Mongolia, was among those honored. Dr. Munkhuu was recognized for helping shape democracy in Mongolia and brought about changes that improve women’s health, social and political power. Read: Mongolia Web

NIGER: UNFPA Reinforces Communication Skills of Nigerien Journalist Network

NIGER: UNFPA Representative Decorated

NIGERIA: Summit on Women in Governance

The Daily Trust reported October 8 that the Summit on Women in Governance recently concluded with a call to increase the promotion of gender issues. The summit also highlighted the importance of CEDAW. The meeting was organized by UNIFEM, UNDP, UNFPA and the National Democratic Institute in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs.

OPT: First Census Scheduled after 10 Years

Associated Press reported October 14 that the Palestinian Authority is gearing up for its first census in a decade, hoping the results will help Palestinian negotiators make their case in future peace talks with Israel. The story noted that the census will cost $8.6 million, with the Palestinian Authority paying 20 per cent. The rest comes from a U.N. agency, Saudi Arabia, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, the Netherlands and OPEC, census officials said. UNFPA’s Hafedh Chkeir said his agency trusts the work of the Palestinian census agency. He also said the U.N. is trying to bring in some Arab experts based in Jordan, but they have not yet received visas from Israel. Read: Associated Press

PAKISTAN: Lahore General Hospital Will Not be Privatized or Sold to Foreigners

The Post reported October 10 that after a meeting with the minister and health department's officials, Punjab Health Minister Ch Iqbal assured that Lahore General Hospital will neither be privatized nor handed over to any foreigner. He said that collaboration was being sought with the National Commission of Human Development and international partners including WHO, World Bank, UNICEF, UNFPA and USAID. The key initiatives in the area of medical education and training through public-private partnership included provision of quality education and training to doctors, nurses and paramedics, he added. Read: The Post

PAKISTAN: Life Skills-Based Education Envisioned for 44 Million Youth

Business Recorder reported October 9 that the World Population Foundation organized a two-day meeting on Life Skills-Based Education (LSBE) curriculum for Pakistan’s 44 million adolescent population. The story noted that LSBE is a result of collaborative efforts of World Population Foundation with several partner organizations, including UNFPA.

PARAGUAY: Workshop on Population, Development and Reproductive Health

ABC reported October 8 that UNFPA carried out a workshop titled, “Population, Development and Reproductive Health, Focusing on Gender in the Armed Forces of Paraguay.” The workshop symbolizes a new round of cooperation between UNFPA and the Armed Forces.  UNFPA Representative in Paraguay Mirtha Rivarola pointed out that reaching young people in the army is key to preventing HIV and promoting other health issues. Read: ABC

PHILIPPINES: Overseas Workers with HIV/AIDS

GMA News reported October 12 that the Department of Health’s mid-term progress report on the Millennium Development Goals revealed that one of every three Filipinos with HIV/AIDS is an overseas Filipino worker. The story noted that in March 2007, the Philippines and UNFPA signed a letter of understanding on a joint program to address the growing problem of HIV among OFWs. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and UNFPA Representative Sunseta Mukherjie signed the agreement, which could also address a range of problems regarding migration and development. Read: GMA News

PHILIPPINES: Editorial Objects to Catholic Bishops’ Influence on Government Spending on Family Planning and Contraceptives

The Manila Standard ran an October 12 editorial that noted the Catholic bishops now see fit to tell Congress how it can and cannot spend the people's money, especially on family planning and contraceptives. The editorial noted that UNFPA points out that the country's fertility rate—which measures the number of children women can expect in a lifetime—stands at 3.3, one of the highest in Asia. With about four babies born every minute since the year 2000, the U.N. agency notes about a third of the population is earning insufficient income to pay for food, housing and basic needs. The editorial concluded: “Despite the huge amount of evidence available, the Catholic bishops refuse to acknowledge that there is a direct relationship between poverty and population growth, and that you can bring down the first by controlling the second. But that is hardly surprising.”

RWANDA: Combating Gender Violence

The New Times reported October 9 in an effort to combat gender violence in Eastern Africa, gender desks have been set up in Rwandan police stations, staffed mostly by women trained to help victims of sexual and other violence. The story quoted UNFPA Director of Information Safiye Cagar as saying, “Too many women are subjected to violence and made to feel shame…for crimes committed against them.” Read: New Times

RWANDA: Coordination among U.N. Agencies Still Lacking

The New Times reported October 12 that visiting UNDP Administrator Dervis Kemal said that lack of adequate coordination in U.N. agencies is still affecting the world body's fast and efficient service delivery at grassroots levels. The story noted that Senator Odette Nyiramirimo expressed concern over high population growth in rural areas, yet UNFPA and other agencies seem to lack adequate capacity to handle the situation. Read: New Times

SIERRA LEONE: Meeting Held on Empowering Women and Development

The New Citizen reported October 12 that UNFPA Country Representative Barnabas Yisa attended a one-day technical meeting themed, “Empowerment of women, a catalyst for development.” At the meeting, Yisa said the revival of the Sierra Leone Union of Population Studies was commendable, adding that the UNFPA is happy and looking forward to the Union to be dynamic, vigorous and result-oriented. Read: New Citizen

SOUTH KOREA: International Meeting on the Standardization of Condoms

United Press International reported October 12 that South Korea held the 24th Meeting of the International Organization for Standardization. The technical committee convened hundreds of experts from 50 countries to discuss quality standards and test methods for male and female condoms. Members for the WHO, UNPFA and Korea's Center for Disease Control and Prevention attended the event. The president of Unidus, South Korea's largest condom producer, heralded the event, noting it would "help Korea have more influence on the international condom market."

UGANDA: Acholi People to Be Educated on Family Planning

The Monitor reported October 8 on Village Health Teams’ efforts to extend family planning information to the people of the Acholi culture. The story noted that Rachel Goldstein of UNFPA’s Gulu Sub office said the 2006 Uganda Demographic Health survey showed that the highest unmet need for contraception use was found in the camps for internally displaced people, where it stands at 58 percent. "People who want family planning services cannot access them. UNFPA is trying to meet the demand through partners like Marie Stopes. We know that reproductive health is essential in improving the quality of life. It allows women to space children to ensure good health for both the children and mothers.” Read: The Monitor

UNITED STATES: 34 Million Friends of UNFPA Co-Founder Speaks in New Jersey

The Daily Record reported October 10 that Jane Roberts, co-founder of 34 Million Friends of UNFPA and an advocate for gender equality, women's health and education, and family planning, is scheduled to deliver an inspirational talk on Sunday, October 28 at the Morristown Jewish Center. The talk is being co-sponsored by the National Council of Jewish Women.

VIETNAM: Country Recognized for Promoting Peace and Development

Vietnam News Service’s October 8 story quoted Nguyen Tat Thanh, U.N. Deputy Permanent Representative in Vietnam, as saying at the 19th Plenary Meeting of the 62nd Session of the U.N. General Assembly, "Vietnam will continue to make every effort, together with the other countries and peoples of the world, to foster understanding and cooperation in the name of peace and development for all." He commended the Alliance of Civilizations, the Tripartite Forum on Interfaith Cooperation for Peace, UNESCO and UNFPA for promoting and implementing cooperation for peace and development in Vietnam. Read: Vietnam News Service: Oct. 8, Oct. 12

VIETNAM: Reproductive Health Care Agreement Signed

Vietnam News Service reported October 15 on the fourth meeting of the Vietnam-Luxembourg partnership committee. At the meeting, Minister Schiltz and U.N. Resident Coordinator in Vietnam John Hendra signed an agreement to finance Vietnam's One UN Initiative. Another agreement on strengthening the access and quality of reproductive health care was also signed between Minister Schiltz and chief representative of the UNFPA in Vietnam. Read: Vietnam News Service

ZIMBABWE: Government to Promote Openness about HIV Status among Couples

The Herald reported October 9 that the government is promoting a shared confidentiality policy among couples who go for voluntary counseling and testing to encourage openness and avoid cases of a partner going for HIV tests on their own and keeping the results a secret. The story noted that legislators and UNFPA said relatives, particularly the spouse, had a right to know the HIV status of his or her partner. They said it was important that relatives, especially the wife or husband, knew that the person they were taking care of was HIV-positive to avoid cross infection and start living positively with the virus.

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