UNFPA IN THE NEWS — SEPTEMBER 3-9, 2007
INTERNATIONAL HEALTH PARTNERSHIP SIGNED
The Norway Post reported September 6 that U.K.’s Prime Minister Gordon Brown met with Norway’s Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, several health ministers from Asian and African countries and eight health agencies to sign the International Health Partnership. The International Health Partnership is part of a new global campaign to meet the health millennium goals – cutting child deaths, reducing maternal mortality and fighting major diseases. The story noted that the World Health Organization, World Bank, UNAIDS, UNFPA, the GAVI alliance, UNICEF, the Gates Foundation and donor governments such as Norway, U.K., Germany and France committed to work smarter together to reduce the burden placed upon poor country governments by many donors and donor agencies and better support the health needs identified by poor countries themselves. Read: Norway Post
In Norwegian read: Aftenposten
Ethiopia: The Daily Monitor reported September 4 that Ethiopia Minister of Health Dr. Teodros Adhanom will sign the International Health Partnership with Ethiopia's international development partners at a September 5 ceremony in London. Partners to the Federal Ministry of Health, among others are, the International Health Partnership, including DFID, Canada, Norway, Germany, World Health Organization, UNFPA, UNAIDS, UNICEF and the World Bank. Read: Daily Monitor
BEYOND BEIJING COMMITTEE MEETS IN NEPAL
Xinhua General News Service reported September 4 that a four-day workshop on "Girl Child's National Consultation" was kicked off in Nepali to identify and prioritize problems' faced by girls. The meeting was organized by the Beyond Beijing Committee in collaboration with Action Aid Nepal, HimRights, Plan Nepal, Save the Children Alliance, UNICEF, and UNFPA. Beyond Beijing Committee is an independent national coalition of major leading women's rights and gender justice related organizations working in the area of advancement of women and girl child issues since the 4th World Conference on Women, Beijing 1995. Read: Rising Nepal, Mathaba
IPPF HOLDS NETWORKING MEETING ON REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
The Daily Trust reported September 6 on the networking and experience sharing meeting held at the London office of the International Planned Parenthood Federation. The story noted that sessions included a presentation and training on advocacy around national budgets by Dia Timmermans from UNFPA’s office in New York. Read: Daily Trust
FISTULA SPOKESPERSON NATALIE IMBRUGLIA
Sunday Magazine reported September 9 on Natalie Imbruglia’s musical career. The story noted that Imbruglia is also a passionate advocate for a most unglamorous cause – The Campaign to End Fistula (www.endfistula.org), which aims to eliminate what is a debilitating child-bearing injury among women in the developing world. Working with Richard Branson's Virgin Unite group and UNFPA, Imbruglia has traveled to Africa several times to talk with affected women and monitor programs on the ground. "I wanted to be hands-on involved in a charity," she said. "People want you to turn up at events, but to find an organization that lets you be really involved…Richard's a friend of mine and he told me about fistula. Within a few months, I was in Africa." She's committed to the cause for life, regardless of what else she may end up doing. "It's probably the thing I'm most proud to have ever done," she said.
BANGLADESH: $6 Million Grant to Help Flood-Affected People
United News of Bangladesh reported September 7 that the U.N. system in Bangladesh has mobilized additional funds of $6 million (approximately Tk 42 crore) to alleviate the sufferings of the flood-affected people of the country. The support was made possible through a grant from the Central Emergency Respond Fund, which will be channeled through WFP, UNICEF, FAO, WHO, UNFPA and UNDP. Read: Gulf Times, AHN
BANGLADESH: HIV Prevalence Concentrated among Drug Users
Daily Star reported September 7 that though HIV prevalence is less than one percent in the country, it has already spread as a concentrated epidemic form among the injection drug users (IDUs), said the speakers at the roundtable titled “Vulnerability of AIDS and safe relationship.” The roundtable was organized jointly by the Prothom Alo and UNFPA. Terming the IDUs as most vulnerable group, Rebeka Sultana of UNFPA said around 57 percent of drug users have relationships with sex workers, who attend around 40 others in a week. Read: Daily Star
BELARUS: UNFPA Representative to Study Peer Education
Naviny reported September 6 that Greta Kimzeke of UNFPA arrived in Minsk to study peer education in the country and efforts taken by the government and non-governmental organizations in its promotion. Kimzeke, an expert in the organization of peer-to-peer activities among youths, is scheduled to stay in Belarus until September 14. UNFPA’s press office in Minsk said that Kimzeke's findings would be taken into account during consultations with the country's authorities on standards for the promotion of healthy lifestyles and the protection of youths' reproductive health. Findings will be discussed at an UNFPA conference in Minsk on September 27. Read: Naviny
BRAZIL: State Prioritizes Youth in HIV/AIDS Prevention Project
24 Horas News reported September 3 that the Mato Grosso State Health and Education Secretariats have engaged 10 schools from two municipalities in an HIV/AIDS prevention project supported by UNFPA. The initiative is a result of a partnership between the Brazilian Ministry of Health National AIDS Program and U.N. agencies. The project Prevention and Health in Schools provides information about HIV/AIDS prevention and reproductive health in schools throughout the country. Read: 24 Horas News
COLOMBIA: Youth Campaign Initiated
El Tiempo ran a September 7 opinion piece by Florence Thomas, Coordinator of Women and Society, on a youth campaign initiated by a regional secretariat for health and UNFPA. Read: El Tiempo
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Agreement to Help Prepare for Natural Disasters
El Caribe CDN reported September 3 that UNFPA and the Red Cross Society of the Dominican Republic signed an agreement aiming to develop local risk management programs and mitigate natural disasters in San Juan, Elías Piña, Valverde Mao and Los Alcarrizos. Read: El Caribe CDN
EASTERN AFRICA: Workshop on Gender and HIV/AIDS Held; Partner States Agree to Share Census Methodologies and Strategies
East African Business Week reported September 3 on an East Africa Community regional workshop on mainstreaming gender, HIV/AIDS that was held at the end of August.
The workshop was prepared by the East African Community Secretariat, UNDP, the New Partnership for Africa's Development and the World Bank. Participants attended from the National HIV/AIDS Focal Points, UNDP, UNAIDS, UNICEF and UNFPA. The story also mentioned that the East African Community and UNFPA signed a project document, enabling EAC partner states to match their statistics methodologies and tools for the 2010 round of census and social statistics. UNFPA Director of Country Technical Services Benson C. Morah witnessed the signing on behalf of UNFPA. Read: East African Business Week
FIJI AND AUSTRALIA: Australia Willing to Provide Assistance for Upcoming Elections
Fiji Times reported September 6 that the Australian government says it is willing to provide further assistance to Fiji’s electoral process as long as the country demonstrates a genuine and concrete commitment to holding an election within the timeframe set out in an independent report. A spokesman from the Australian High Commission said Australia had already provided AUS$437,000 through UNFPA to assist with the 2007 census. Read: Fiji Times
GEORGIA: South Caucasus Youth Festival to Take Place in Batumi
Region South Caucasus News reported September 5 that the 2nd South Caucasus Youth Festival will take place in Batumi and will run from 12th till 14th of September. This event is organized by UNFPA and EU in the framework of a joint project "Youth Reproductive Health - South Caucasus Initiative". Read: Region South Caucasus News
GHANA: Number of Teen Pregnancies on the Increase
MyJoyOnline reported September 4 that the number of teenagers who are becoming mothers in the country is on the increase. A study by UNFPA shows that about 30 per cent of all births are by teenagers. Some of these are as young as 14 years old. Speaking to Joy News’ Adisa Lansa, Robert Mensah, the officer in-charge of Sexual and Reproductive Health at UNFPA, said another 30 per cent of all maternal mortality involves young girls in their early teens. Read: MyJoyOnline
GUATEMALA: Campaign “More Women, Better Policy”
CERIGUA and Prensa Libre reported September 3 that the campaign “More Women, Better Policy” promoted by a group of Guatemalan women leaders and the United Nations will continue after the next general elections. According to UNFPA Representative Nadine Gasman, the campaign is in the first stage and will continue over the next four years aiming to have more women included among political candidates. Read: Cerigua, Prensa Libre
GUYANA: Adolescent Youth Friendly Space Opened
Stabroek News reported September 6 that youths in Sophia can now gain better access to information on sexual and reproductive health at the new Adolescent Youth Friendly Space located at the Sophia Primary School. The space which was launched on August 28 is a collaborative effort of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and UNFPA. Read: Stabroek News
KENYA: Population Growth Remains Major Impediment to Economic Growth
Business Daily reported September 3 that despite dropping by a quarter over the last two decades, the rate at which the Kenyan population is growing remains a major impediment to sustain steady economic growth for the next generation. The story noted that according to UNFPA, Kenya was the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to view runaway population growth as a serious impediment to economic prosperity, and it became the first, in the late 1960s, to begin developing a national family-planning campaign. Read: Business Daily
KENYA: Slums in Kenya
The Irish Times reported September 5 that Kenya's slums are awash with rubbish. The story noted that earlier this year, UNFPA reported that for the first time more than half the world's 6.6 billion inhabitants would live in urban areas by 2008. Without adequate planning, warns its State of World Population 2007 report, there will be an explosion of slums, with the associated environmental damage and human disease. "The changes are too large and too fast to allow planners and policymakers simply to react," it concluded.
MALAWI: Report Card Released to Help Girls and Young Women in the HIV/AIDS Fight
The Chronicle Newspaper reported September 4 that the Family Planning Association of Malawi through their umbrella body the International Parenthood Federation recently launched a report card to help girls and young women throughout the country in the fight against HIV/AIDS. UNFPA HIV Coordinator Robert Ngaiyaye said the report card has come at a right time when girls and young women are lacking adequate knowledge about the prevention of the disease. "To date despite the high levels of HIV pandemic in this country only 57.3 per cent state that condoms can help prevent HIV. Teenage pregnancy is also very high to the extent that about 60 per cent of girls get pregnant or have a baby by the age of 19," Ngaiyaye said. Read: The Chronicle Newspaper
MALAWI: Men’s Involvement in Maternal Health Needed
The Chronicle Newspaper reported September 4 on the traditions in Malawi that give men the decision-making powers in their different roles as husbands, fathers, traditional and religious as well as political leaders. In this respect it is essential that men, as decision makers, need to take an active role in ensuring that maternal health outcomes are favorable for a healthy mother and baby. “The care and support of an informed husband improves pregnancy and child birth outcomes and can mean the difference between life and death in case of complications,” said UNFPA Representative in Malawi Esperance Fundira during the commemoration of this years' World Population Day, themed “Men as partners in maternal health.” Fundira explained that men could also ensure that all women have access to contraception to avoid unwanted pregnancies and properly plan their families. Read: The Chronicle Newspaper
MONGOLIA: U.N. Leader Visit UNFPA Project in Mongolia
The Mongol Messenger weekly reported September 5 that U.N. Under-Secretary General Cheick Sidi Diarra observed UNFPA’s project aimed at improving the social and financial livelihoods of vulnerable people involved in illegal mining and unregistered citizens. Read: The Mongol Messenger
NICARAGUA: Documentary “Positives Fighting for Life”
El Nuevo Diario reported September 4 that the documentary “Positives Fighting for Life” showed people living with HIV/AIDS in Nicaragua. It premiered this week at the Central American University. The film was supported by a number of national and international organizations, including UNFPA. Read: El Nuevo Diario
NICARAGUA: Concern for Migration
Nicaragua Hoy ran a September 7 opinion piece by the Nicaraguan Civil Society Network for Migration that analyzed the country’s socio-economic situation, while referring to UNFPA-data on migration. Read: Nicaragua Hoy
NIGERIA: Government to Track Unemployment Rate
Nigerian Tribune reported September 3 that the federal government will start tracking the country’s unemployment rate in all the states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja. The Minister of Youth Development Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi, who made this known while receiving UNFPA Country Representative in Abuja Sidiki Coulibally, noted that the database would assist government in its efforts to address the problem of unemployment. Read: Nigerian Tribune
PARAGUAY: Governments Committed to Promoting Greater Participation of Women in Public and Political Positions
Neike and Ultima Hora reported September 3 on an agreement signed at the conclusion of the tenth session of the Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean organized by UNFPA. At the event, UNFPA Director for Latin America and the Caribbean Division Marcela Suazo proclaimed, “Towards a new social and gender pact: shared responsibility for reproductive and productive work in Latin America and the Caribbean.” Read: Neike
PERU: Earthquake Relief in Peru
Rotativo reported September 7 on the humanitarian needs following the earthquake that recently hit central Peru. The article mentioned UNFPA’s call for $850,000 to meet urgent needs among women and children. Read: Rotativo
PHILIPPINES: Radio Drama on Benefits of Breastfeeding
Philippine Daily Inquirer reported September 5 that the radio station drZH will feature “Bukal sa Dibdib,” a drama highlighting the benefits of breastfeeding. Hosted by Cecille Guidote Alvarez, the program, launched by the World Health Organization, Department of Health, UNFPA and UNICEF, aims at educating people about breastfeeding. Read: Philippine Daily Inquirer
PHILIPPINES: Opinion Piece Applauds Policy Development on Population Issues
Manila Bulletin ran a September 6 opinion piece by Hern P. Zenarosa applauding that Rep. Edcel Lagman of the First District of Albay, chairman of the powerful House appropriation committee, has filed a “progressive” bill providing for a national policy on reproductive health, responsible parenthood and population development. The opinion piece also noted parenthetically that Lagman and the late Rafael M. Salas met when they were both in the University of the Philippines during the sixties. Salas, after quitting his job as Marcos’ first executive secretary in 1969, went on to become UNFPA’s first Executive Director, which he built to be today’s world’s biggest multi-lateral population-funding agency. Zenarosa concluded: “What is significant is that in this current Philippine debate on expanding population issues, Edcel Lagman and Rafael Salas have met anew on mutual ground.”
SIERRA LEONE: FGM Practitioners Hold Clout
Women’s Enews reported September 7 that Olayinka Koso-Thomas, a gynecologist who first spoke out against FGM publicly at a conference on traditional practices in 1984, is one of a small but growing number of women in Sierra Leone who are voicing their opinions against the widespread practice of FGM. The story noted that FGM is practiced in about 28 African countries, according to the WHO, and has been outlawed in only 15, according to UNFPA. But what makes it particularly difficult to combat in Sierra Leone is the practitioners who form "secret societies," which Koso-Thomas says exclude men and non-mutilated women, and are widely seen as influential in the political arena. Read: Women’s Enews
SRI LANKA: Journalists Awarded Gold Medals at Journalism Awards 2006
The Daily News’ September 6 story reported that four out of the five veteran reporters who were awarded Gold Medals at Journalism Awards 2006 were from Lake House. The story noted that Tarzie Vittachi, former Editor of the Observer, joined UNFPA and later rose to the position of Under Secretary General of the U.N. Read: The Daily News
SUDAN: Census Postponed to Funding Snag
Angola Press Agency reported September 3 that Sudan has postponed a census that is crucial for the success of two upcoming national polls. Census officials accused Sudan’s government of withholding the $30m it had pledged. UN says the government is now committed to paying its share. The story noted that UNFPA is helping to organize the two-week census, the first since the January 2005 peace deal between the north’s National Congress Party and the former southern rebel group, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement. Read: Angola Press Agency
SUDAN AND UNITED STATES: College Student Helping Women of His Former County
Associated Press ran a September 8 story on Gabriel Akech Kwai who has established the Women’s Educational Empowerment Project for Southern Sudan to help educate and empower women there. Kwai lived in the United States for six years and will graduate from Murray State University in December. Men and women in northern Sudan have 71 per cent and 52 per cent literacy rates, respectively, while the literacy rate among men is 37 per cent and 12 per cent for women in southern Sudan, according to information from UNFPA. Narrowing this educational gap could raise economic productivity, lower infant and maternal mortality, improve health, reduce poverty and reduce HIV/AIDS outbreaks, Kwai says on his project’s promotional brochure. Read: Associated Press
SYRIA: Meeting of IPPF in Damascus
Cham Press reported September 4 that the meeting of IPPF, the International Federation for Family Planning in the Arab region convened for three days in Damascus. Family planning organizations from 13 Arab countries participated in this meeting. It focused on how to promote partnership and the challenges these organizations face in the areas of family planning and reproductive health. The first day deliberations focused on reproductive health and rights and the partnership with UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund. Read: Cham Press, Tishreen, SANA/Ar, SANA/En
TANZANIA: Health Sector Funding Increases 26 Percent
East African reported September 3 that Tanzania’s health sector will receive Tsh80.83 billion ($64.3 million) from its development partners this year, a 26 percent increase over last year’s figure. Donors are supporting the sector through a basket fund sponsored by Canada, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Switzerland, UNFPA, UNICEF and the World Bank. Read: East African
UNITED STATES: UNFPA Denied Funding Sixth Straight Year
Associated Press reported September 7 that for the sixth consecutive year, the Bush administration has decided to withhold funding from UNFPA, saying the agency contributes to China’s “coercive abortion” program. As it has in the past, the decision drew fire from several House Democrats. “Once again, common sense policy has been replaced with nonsense,” said Rep. Nita Lowey, D-NY, chairwoman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations. She called it an “unconscionable act” that “punishes the poorest women and children in all the countries UNFPA serves.” Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-NY, said: “A decision to reverse five years of erroneous decisions to de-fund UNFPA could have restored U.S. leadership in the eyes of the world on this critical issue. Instead, the Bush administration has once again turned its back on the planet’s poorest and neediest women.” Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-VT, had sought to permit U.S. contributions, arguing that the family planning funds could prevent abortions in China. Read: Associated Press: Sept. 6, Sept. 7, Voice of America
VIETNAM: Member of United Nations Since 1977
Vietnam News Service reported September 7 that Vietnam has been active member of the United Nations since the country became a full member of the organization on September 20, 1977. The story noted that over the past years, Vietnam also joined the management boards of several U.N. agencies, namely the Economic and Social Council, the Human Rights Committee, the Governing Councils of UNDP and UNFPA and the International Atomic Energy Agency, and the Management Council of the Universal Postal Union. Read: Vietnam News Service
YEMEN: Workshop Held on Gender Auditing
Yemen Times reported September 9 that the Women’s National Committee in cooperation with UNFPA organized a three-day workshop on gender auditing. The workshop was aimed at presenting other experiences on gender-balanced budgets and how to ensure a more sensitized plan to gender issues. Read: Yemen Times
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