PARAGUAY: Talks On Gender And Justice
Abc reported 18 October that training of trainers course “Gender, access to justice and violence against women” carried out in the framework of Monitoring and Training for Improving Access to Justice for Women Victims of Domestic Violence (Majuvi) Project, executed by CLADEM Paraguay in agreement with the CSJ and with the Public Ministry, with support from different agencies of the United Nations, including UNDP, UNFPA and UNIFEM. Read in Spanish: ABC
JAMAICA: New Data Collection System For Public Hospitals
Jamaica Gleaner reported 18 October that vital statistics such as births and deaths will soon be made available to the Jamaican public with the completion of a civil registration and vital statistics manual being worked on by the Registrar General's Department (RGD). The project is being funded by UNFPA, with support from other agencies.
CHINA: China Calls For More Efforts In Reproductive Health
Xinhua reported in two stories on 18 October that Senior Chinese legislator Chen Zhili called for further increase in investment on reproductive health and enhance cooperation in this regard. Chen, vice chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, made the comment when addressing the Fifth Asia-Pacific Conference on Reproductive Health. Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, executive director of UNFPA, said that the Asia-Pacific region is exploring and developing new exciting areas of reproductive health and that there are limitless opportunities through cooperation to cope with challenges. Read: Xinhua (a) and Xinhua (b)
SOLOMON ISLANDS: UN Consultations With Government Conclude
The Solomon Times reported 17 October and The Solomon Star News reported 16 October that seven U.N. organizations, including UNFPA, gathered in Honiara with the Solomon Islands Government to review progress toward development goals in 2009 and to agree on plans for 2010. Read: Solomon Times and Solomon Star News
GHANA: Concern Over Increasing Rate of HIV/AIDS In Bole
GNA reported 17 October that a forum was held in Bole in the Northern Region during a sensitization and advocacy programme organized by the NGO ActionAid, to create awareness about the AIDS pandemic. The forum which was supported by UNFPA, attracted about 50 participants. Read: GNA
COVERAGE ON INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ERADICATION OF POVERTY
VIET NAM: Thanh Nien Daily, Look at Vietnam and VN Media featured, on 17 October, a statement marking International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2009, by Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, UNFPA Executive Director, stating that to expand gains in human development, now is the time to invest in women and girls, in their health, education, participation and well-being. Read: Thanh Nien Daily and Look at Vietnam
VIET NAM: Thanh Nien Daily featured on 17 October Bruce Campbell, UNFPA representative stating that child poverty is about more than money. “Child poverty is not just the children who live in poor households. It is also the children who are deprived of health, education, shelter, nutrition, sanitation, recreation, protection and social inclusion,” said Mr. Campbell. Read: Thanh Nien Daily.
VIET NAM: Workshop To Address Challenges On Population, Gender And Reproductive Health
Communist Party Website and Propaganda and Education magazine reported on 16 October on a workshop, which was organized by the Central Committee for Propaganda and Education and UNFPA in order to share information on population and development, gender and reproductive health. In the opening speech, Bruce Campbell, UNFPA Representative, spoke about the challenges ahead, with special emphasis in some emerging issues as the imbalance in sex ratio at birth, among others. Read in Vietanamese: Communist Party Website and Propaganda and Education.
SIERRA LEONE: UNFPA Representative Chats With First Lady
The Awareness Times reported 16 October that UNFPA representative, Ratzie Ndlovu congratulated the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Sia Nyama Koroma for assiduously working to address issues affecting the welfare of women and children. Read: Awareness Times
CAMBODIA: Lowering The Bar On Deaths In Pregnancy
Phom Penh Post reported 16 October that a key MDG 5 target is being debated among involved expertise agencies after the recent estimates place the maternal mortality rate at 461 deaths per 100,000 live births. While other development partners confirmed the new target changed from 140 to 250, UNFPA could not verify given the info was a rumor. UNFPA Representative Alice Levisay said the change might be necessary given current realities and new data and the crisis had made it more difficult to make all of the necessary improvements to areas affecting maternal health including education, infrastructure and access to health care. Read: Phnom Penh Post
SWAZILAND: Scribes Get Lessons On Population
The Swazi Observer reported 15 October on a training staged by UNFPA, in collaboration with the national Population Unit (NPU), under the ministry of economic planning and development. UNFPA representative Aisha Camara Drammeh said the workshop would give journalists a better understanding of population issues and the role of UNFPA within the country. Read: Swazi Observer