8 –14 June 2009
See archives for previous weeks
[Excerpts are from media stories. UNFPA cannot vouch for the accuracy of media reports.]
GLOBAL: WOMEN’S CHOICES CHANGE CITIES
IPS reported 12 June on the significance of the fact that 2009 marks the first time in history that more than half of the world’s population lives in cities. “According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) report 'State of the World Population' published last year, poor people will make up a large part of future urban growth. Most urban growth in developing countries now stems from natural increase (more births than deaths) rather than migration from rural areas". Read: IPS
ARGENTINA: Working Girls Carry Larger Load Than Boys
Telam News Agency reported 12 June that working girls carry larger loads than working boys. It is the same for more than 100 millions girls worldwide, but the situation is unfair for both genders since they are deprive of their right to enjoy life with games and education. “Girls work twice hard,” said Eleonora Faur, UNFPA representative. Read: Telam News Agency
ARGENTINA: Health Care for Migrants
Argenpress reported 12 June the number of immigrant women in Argentina is growing and they receive different treatment in hospitals and health centres because they are unaware of the law that guarantees access to the health system. As a result, UNFPA supports a reproductive and sexual health project directed at immigrants. Read: Argenpress
BELARUS: Belarus Census 2009 to Include Geographical Data
Belarusian News reported 9 June that the 2009 Belarus census will not only count people, but possibly also create a geographical information system, which will contain electronic maps of Belarus. Olga Belorusova, UNFPA Communication Assistant, said that the Statistics Committee in Belarus is considering purchasing and installing geo-informational system with electronic maps of Belarus, with the possibility to fill them with population data. This will allow creating a geographical anchor for the census data. Read in Russian: Naviny
BRAZIL: Competition for High School Students on Sexual and Reproductive Health Themes
Correio do Brasil reported 9 June that “sex and drugs” are among the issues discussed by the 8th School Prize Edition. An initiative by the Ministries of Health and Education, with the support of UN agencies including UNFPA, the competitions invites cartoons created by students from all over the country on sexual and reproductive health themes, such as HIV and early pregnancy prevention. Read: Correio do Brasil
CAMBODIA: More Midwives Needed to Reach Development Goals
The Phnom Penh Post reported June 9 that a chronic shortage of skilled midwives could prevent Cambodia from meeting key development goals. UNFPA estimated that there were about 3,300 midwives in Cambodia in 2008. "We want to find out how many midwives there are each year and whether reproductive health services are meeting demands or not," Pen Sophanara, communications associate for UNFPA, told the Post. Read: Phom Penh Post
CAMBODIA: Avoidable Maternal Deaths in Cambodia
The Cambodia Daily published an op-ed 9 June by Alice Levisay, Richard Bridle, and Dr. Michael O’Leary, representatives of UNFPA, UNICEF, and WHO on the avoidable tragedy of maternal mortality, and the country’s progress toward reducing maternal deaths. They argued, “Removing the financial barriers to reproductive and maternal health services is very important. We cannot reduce maternal deaths until all women can access quality care,” and urged increased investments in efforts to train midwives and provide care by skilled birth attendants, as well as provision of contraceptives in order to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies.
COLOMBIA: CONPES Document To Define The Youth National System to be Presented
El tiempo.com reported 10 June that the Youth CONPES document is completed and the approbation of the document will depend on resources available for the youth in the near future. UNFPA, along with other organizations, supported the process. Read: El tiempo.com
COTE D’IVOIRE: Bank of Africa Grant Supports UNFPA Reproductive Health Projects
Fraternite Matin reported 11 June that the Bank of Africa donated CFA 100 million ($215,000) to UNFPA. The check was officially presented in the presence of the Minister of Health, Dr. Allah Kouadio, at his office. The donors, the director of the bank, Ms. Lala Moulaye and the president of the BOA foundation Tiemoko Koffi, said they were pleased to contribute to the reduction of maternal mortality. "It is important that no woman should die giving life," said the director. The funds will be used for the rehabilitation and equipping of three maternity wards. Read in French: Fraternite Matin
GHANA: Report Finds Millions of Women At Risk Due to Inadequate Reproductive Health Services
Modern Ghana reported 12 June on a recent report by Population Action International which found that funding for reproductive health supplies, including condoms and contraceptives, in developing countries is becoming fragile. A statement in Accra by UNFPA called for renewed attention to reproductive health supplies to avoid putting the health of millions of women at risk. Read: Modern Ghana
MEXICO: UNFPA Makes Commitment with the State of Chiapas
Cuartopoder.com reported 7 June that UNFPA reaffirmed its commitment to improve the health of the population of the state of Chiapas -- one of poorest states in Mexico. Read: Cuartopoder.com
MYANMAR: Prevalence of HIV Infections Among Drug Users Increase
Xinhua (China) reported 12 June an increase of HIV infections among men who use narcotics in Myanmar. The article noted that Myanmar has introduced a project on HIV prevention for migrant workers moving into the country's two border areas of Tachilek and Muse for livelihood. The project, to be implemented by Myanmar's Anti-Narcotics Association with the cooperation of UNFPA, is directed at young migrant workers including women coming to work at the border areas or crossing border.
NICARAGUA: UNFPA and MINSA Ensure Inputs for Sexual and Reproductive Health
Diario Hoy reported 8 June that, as part of the programme named “Input Insurance to Reproductive and Sexual Health”, the Ministry of Health and UNFPA signed the 2009 Work Plan. Its objective is that every person can use reproductive and sexual health quality supplies, according to their preferences, every time they need to.
OMAN: Y-Peer Takes AIDS-Awareness Drive to Schools
Oman Observer reported 8 June that the Oman Y-PEER has decided to involve school students in peer education and to equip youth with information and skills to protect themsleves from HIV/AIDS and to build a positive attitude towards those who are suffering from the virus.
PAKISTAN: Continuing Coverage On Reproductive Health In IDP Camps
Multiple media outlets reported 9-15 June on events following the devastating bombing at the Pearl Continental Hotel. Three members of the UNFPA implementing team were killed in the blast and three UN employees sustained injuries. Following the bombing, the UN temporarily suspended services to internally displaced people in the area. Read: The News International, The New York Times, SANA, Maxims News Network, DAWN, PTI
UN News Centre reported 9 June that Secretary-General Ki-moon strongly condemned a deadly terrorist attack on a hotel in northern Pakistan, with a staff member of UNHCR among those killed. The article noted that, among the over 2 million people displaced by the conflict are an estimated 70,000 pregnant women, according to UNFPA, with more than 250 giving birth every day and as many as 40 facing potentially life-threatening complications that call for skilled medical help. Read: UN News Centre
PAKISTAN: Meeting Held to Discuss MNCH Programme
The News International reported 11 June on a high-level meeting assessing the country’s Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health (MNCH) Programme at the district level. Dr. Saleem Wali of UNFPA was among the meeting’s participants. Read: The News International
PAKISTAN: BISP Helps Register Over 150,000
The News International reported 9 June that The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) helped more than 18,000 women in their registration in the Federally-Administered Tribal Areas whereas around 76,000 women in Balochistan and 65,000 in NWFP received their computerised national identity cards from Nadra. Chairperson BISP Farzana Raja stated this in a meeting of the Women Parliamentarians Task Force on Gender Mainstreaming, held in Bhurban, organised by the Gender Reform Action Plan in collaboration with UNFPA. UNFPA Technical Advisor Nagina Sadaf said there is a need to improve the implementation of the already existing laws, adding that joint efforts are required to end violence against women. Read: The News International
PHILIPPINES: Slow RP Progress in Maternal Death Rate Lamented
The Business Mirror reported 8 June that UNFPA is concerned that the slow advance of measures in the Philippines for the health needs of women would result in the country failing to meet its MDG target of reducing maternal death rate at birthing to 52 by the year 2015.Citing government data, the UN agency noted the country has achieved only 22 per cent reduction over a decade at 162 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. “While 92 percent of the rich can avail themselves of delivery by skilled health professionals, only 25 percent of mothers in the lower social bracket have access to the same services,” said Suneeta Mukherjee, UNFPA representative. Read: The Business Mirror
QATAR: Population Committee Prepares Report on Migration
The Peninsula reported 11 June that the Permanent Population Committee is preparing a report on migration in Qatar. The report will be presented at the second meeting of Arab experts on migration to be held in Cairo by the end of this month. The Cairo conference is expected to come out with a unified Arab strategy on population issues, particularly those related to migration. It is being organized by the department of population and migration policies at the League of Arab States, with support of IOM and UNFPA. Read: The Peninsula
SWAZILAND: Ending Maternal-Infant HIV Transmission is Possible
The Swazi Observer reported 12 June enough evidence from clinical studies now exists to prove that the timely administration of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) to women who are HIV-positive significantly reduces the risk of HIV transmission to their babies. “This is one of the main priority areas for UNAIDS, UNICEF, WHO and UNFPA to act on,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS.
TIMOR LESTE: Many Women Dying of Unsafe Abortions
UN News Centre reported 9 June that a new UN-supported report on maternal mortality, pregnancy and abortion in Timor-Leste shows that women may die because of unsafe abortions in the small nation. The UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) said the report, supported by UNFPA and Alola, a local non-governmental organization, “will offer to the Government and to the people in Timor-Leste tangible facts regarding the occurrence and practice of unsafe abortion in the country.” Hernando Agudelo, the UNFPA country representative in Timor-Leste, said that the with the study, “we wanted to show this reality – women may die because of unsafe abortion – within the Timorese society and give to the society a tool for reflection, for taking informed decisions.” Read: UN News Centre
UAE/ABU DHABI: UN Special Rapporteur on Disability to Visit Gaza Strip
WAM reported 8 June that The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Disability, Hissa Al -Thani, began a four-day trip to the Gaza Strip. While there, the UN official will hold meetings with government officials, including Ministers of Social Affairs, Health, and Education, as well as with the representatives of disability organizations and representatives of UN agencies in Gaza such as UNHCHR, OCHA, UNICEF, UNFPA, WHO. Read: WAM
UNITED STATES: McCollum’s Bill to End Child Marriage Passes House
The Minnesota Independent reported 10 June that a bill authored by Rep. Betty McCollum passed the U.S. House after being included in the Foreign Relations Authorization Act. It would work to end child marriage by increasing State Department staffing on the issue and direct the federal government to create a strategy to work with other countries to decrease the incidence of the practice.
The article quoted UNFPA as saying that South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa have the highest rates of child marriage; in some African countries, 76 percent of girls are married by the time they turn 18. In parts of West Africa, girls are married as young as age 7. Read: Minnesota Independent
VIETNAM: Consultative Workshop to Develop a Proposal on Sex Work
Voice of Ho Chi Minh city reported on 12 June that a consultative workshop to develop a proposal for the sex work strategy 2010 – 2015 with vision to 2020 was organized by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs in collaboration with UNFPA (on behalf of the UN Joint team on HIV/AIDS). Most of participants at the workshop agreed that it is time for the Government to regulate sex work in Viet Nam. The issue received much attention from participants who actively took part in the discussion. Read: Voice of Ho Chi Minh.
YEMEN: Population and Reproductive Health Workshops Held in Ibb Governorate Organizes
Al-Gomhoriah reported 11 June that the office of Endowments and Guidance in Ibb governorate organized in Sana'a two Training of Trainers workshops for raising awareness on rapid population growth and reproductive health. The workshop targeted men and women leaders from Al-Sabrah and Ibb districts was held in cooperation with Ministry of Endowments and Guidance, National Population Council, and UNFPA. Read in Arabic: Al-Gomhoriah
ZIMBABWE: Journalists Urged to Write Accurate Health Stories
Radiovop reported 14 June on the recent meeting of the Population and Development Network, which consists of 30 journalists from newspapers, radio and television in Zimbabwe. UNFPA said it planned to introduce an award for journalists who are members of the Network and writing about population and development issues. A senior official, Phylis Munyama said she wanted journalists to write more about population and development issues to inform the public especially in rural areas. Read: Radiovop
ZIMBABWE: UNFPA Partners in One Love Campaign to Fight AIDS
The Standard and the Daily Mail reported 7 June on the launch of the OneLove Campaign, which aims to educate people about the increased risk of HIV infection that comes with multiple concurrent sexual relationships. UNFPA is a sponsor of the campaign, which is implemented by local NGOs. UNFPA has also produced multimedia materials as part of the project’s outreach efforts.
ZIMBABWE: UNFPA Donates Supplies to Women’s Ministry
The Herald reported 5 June that UNFPA donated computers, printers and stationery worth US$120,000 to the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development.
