GERMANY: Innovative Partnership Reduces Cost Of Contraceptive Implant
Multiple media outlets on 27 February reported that a group of public and private sector partners has finalized an agreement that will make Jadelle®, an effective, long-acting, reversible contraceptive implant, available to more than 27 million women in the world's poorest countries at a more than 50 percent price reduction over the next six years. The Jadelle Access Program - developed and supported through a partnership between Bayer HealthCare AG, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), the Governments of Norway, the United Kingdom, the United States and Sweden, and the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) - builds on momentum generated at the July 2012 London Summit on Family Planning. Read in English: Antara News, Itar-Tass
EUROPEAN UNION: Foreign RH Aid Sparks Debate
Euractiv.com on 4 February reported that according to health advocates, conservatives who oppose using EU development aid to finance family planning have succeeding in reducing support for reproductive health services in poorer nations. The EU’s role in supporting reproductive health and birth control and financing the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) escalated a decade ago when George W. Bush set out to revamp American aid priorities, shifting money away from ideologically divisive reproductive and women’s health programmes to the more popular fight against malaria and AIDS. Read in English: Euractiv.com
GLOBAL: COVERAGE ON RELEASE OF STATE OF WORLD POPULATION 2012 REPORT
AUSTRALIA: ABC Radio Australia on 15 November featured an interview with William Ryan, UNFPA's regional communications adviser for Asia and the Pacific, to discuss the 2012 UNFPA report entitled, "By Choice, Not By Chance." Read and listen in English: ABC Radio Australia
BELARUS: Multiple media outlets from 13-15 November reported on the release of the State of the World Population report. UNFPA experts have concluded that women who use contraceptives, tend to have better health, better education and better-paid career. As stated by UNFPA, the availability of contraceptives should not be a privilege, but a right for any person. Read in Russian: Belfamily, Femina.by, rosbalt.ru
BRAZIL: O Globo and G1 published on 14 November that Brazil ranked 79 among 188 countries and territories in terms of maternal mortality rate, remaining among the countries with the highest rate of women dying during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum, according to UNFPA’s State of the World Population 2012 report. With 56 women dying for every 100,000 live births - in last year's report, this rate was 58 - Brazil is behind nations like China, with a rate of 37; Iran, 21; and Turkey, 20. A special envoy was sent to Quito, Ecuador, to cover the launching of the report, which addressed family planning this year. In terms of adolescent pregnancy, the Brazilian situation (79 births per thousand women aged 15 to 19 years) is slightly better than the average for Latin America and the Caribbean: 71 births every thousand. The UNFPA report warned that 222 million women in developing countries have no access to contraception methods such as the pill. UNFPA also estimates that 80 million women have been victims of unwanted pregnancy through the end of 2012. Read in Portuguese: O Globo/G1, Agencia Brasil, Terra Portal, R7 Portal, BBC Brasil
CAMBODIA: The Phnom Penh Post reported on 19 November that,according to a UN report, additional investments in family planning yield economic benefits and would save developing countries more than US$ 11 billion annually. Better access to family planning in developing countries would reduce costs for maternal and newborn health care. “This applies also to Cambodia,” UNFPA Representative Marc Derveeuw said. “The clear economic gains from investment in reproductive health including family planning benefits the country economy as a whole through the reductions in healthcare-related costs incurred by maternal and infant mortality and morbidity and mortality." Read in English: The Phnom Penh Post
CANADA: The Globe and Mail on 15 November reported on the release of the State of the World Population report. The report, “calling on developed countries to invest massively in family planning is raising questions about Canada's international aid priorities as its landmark Muskoka Initiative on maternal and child health enters its third year…despite a $1.1-billion commitment to maternal and child health over five years, Canada's aid agency does not place a significant emphasis on family planning.”
COSTA RICA: Several media outlets reported from 14 to 19 November, on the launch of the State of the World Population 2012. “The report draws attention to an issue that has been neglected because almost no one would question that the right to family planning is a human right and that everyone has the right to exercise it. However, about 222 million women who are of reproductive age in the world, have an unmet need for family planning, this means about one of four women are not having access to contraception,” said Oscar Valverde, UNFPA’s Reproductive Health Officer. Listen in Spanish: Nuestra Voz, Radio Monumental, Radio ADN, Noticias Radio Nacional, Noticias Radio Nacional, Watch in Spanish: Canal 11, Canal 42 T.V, Telenoticias, Canal 7, RTN Noticias, Canal 13, Read in Spanish: La Nación, La Prensa Libre, Al Día, La Nación, Aldea Global, , La Nación, Sección Internacionales.
DENMARK: Politiken reported on 14 November that USD 5.7 billion could be saved by increasing access to family planning according to UNFPA’s SWOP report. Read in Danish: Politiken
Politiken featured an op-ed by UNFPA Executive Director on 19 November, in which the Executive Director states that providing women in developing countries access to family planning is not only a basic human right, but also an effective investment in economic growth and development.
Kristeligt Dagblad published an article on 16 November stressing that access to contraceptives is a human right. The newspaper further quotes a philosopher arguing that this statement might be considered as controversial. Read in Danish: Kristeligt Dagblad
Kristlig Dagblad published a comprehensive interview with UNFPA Executive Director on 21 November, highlighting that it is a human right for women to decide how many children they want. Read in Danish: Kristeligt Dagblad
Berlingske published an article on 17 November under the headline: There is a need for USD 4.6 billion to provide access to condoms. The article further mentions that there are 222 million women in developing countries who lack access to family planning. Read in Danish: Berlingske
U-landsnyt featured an article quoting UNFPA Executive Director saying that “there is indisputable evidence that when family planning is integrated into broader economic and social development initiatives, it can have a positive multiplier effect on human development and the well-being of entire nations”. Read in Danish: U-landsnyt
FINLAND: Helsingin Sanomat published on 15 November an article regarding the State of the World Population launch in Helsinki.
GERMANY: aerzteblatt on 14 November ad derwesten on 13 November reported that more than 220 million women in developing countries have no means of family planning, due to poverty, social pressures and persistent discrimination. Of the 80 million women with unwanted pregnancies, 80,000 of them die as a result of pregnancy, as it showed in the SWOP report by the UN Population Fund. “Family planning is a human right and one of the most effective and cost-effective measures to reduce poverty," said Werner Haug, the regional director of UNFPA EECA. Read in German: aerzteblatt and derwesten
GHANA: Ghana Web and the Government of Ghana reported on 15 November on the launch of UNFPA's State of World Population Report 2012. Read in English: Ghana Web and Government of Ghana
GUATEMALA: Prensa Libre, Reportaje de, Publinews, La Hora and CERIGUA on 15 November reported that family planning is a women’s right that leads others such as access to health, education and development. According to the UNFPA's State of the World Population, women with fewer resources and greater poverty are those with more children, which limits their progress. The publication also indicates that 42% of Guatemalan woman do not use contraception. Access to contraception is a universal human right which could significantly improve the lives of women and children in poor countries. Read in Spanish: Prensa Libre, La Hora, CERIGUA, Reportaje de
GUYANA: Stabroek on 15 November reported on the release of the 2012 State of the World Population report which found that, "81% of young Guyanese men are likelier to engage in such behaviour [risky], compared with 40% of young Guyanese females from the same age group." Such practices have been linked to high cases of unwanted pregnancies, infections and sexually-transmitted diseases. Read in English: Stabroek
JAMAICA: Multiple media outlets in between 15 and 16 November reported on the launch of the State of the World Population report, which took place on 14 November. Read in English: Jamaica Observer, Jamaica Information Service, Jamaica Information Service, Jamaica Gleaner
KYRGYZSTAN: KTRK, CA-news, Akipress, 24 KG, Namba, For KG reported on 14 November, that UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, in the Kyrgyz Republic launched this year’s State of World Population Report with the theme focused on access to family planning, human rights and development. The press conference took place at the Family Planning Center “Marriage and Family” under the National Mother and Child Health Center. Speakers were Mr. Kaliev M., Deputy Minister of Health, Mr. Avanessov A., UN Resident Coordinator, UNFPA Representative in the Kyrgyzstan, Mr. Omurzakov M., UNFPA Assistant Representative and Mr. Uzakbaev. K., Director of the National Mother and Child Health Center.
“Access to modern contraception is a fundamental human right” the UN Resident Coordinator, and UNDP Resident Representative to the Kyrgyz Republic Mr. Alexander Avanessov said. “Hand-in-hand with this right is a need to provide individuals and couples a range of family planning options that would give them the freedom to make their own personal choice.” Dr. Meder Omurzakov, Assistant Representative of UNFPA Kyrgyzstan, concluded that, “This year’s State of World Population report and today’s event is about listening to couples and individuals, about meeting their aspirations, and giving them the power to create a better life for themselves and their families.” Read in Russian: 24KG, 24KG, KTRK , Namba, CA-News, For KG, CA-News, Newsfiber, centrasia.ru
LEBANON: Several media outlets reported on 15 November on the launch of UNFPA’s SWOP 2012 message, notably that access to family planning is a human right. The articles focus on the themes of the report and provided statistics on the global use of contraceptives. They also quoted the UNFPA Executive Director on the need to invest in family planning to promote economic development. Read in Arabic: Bayynat. Read in English: Naharnet
Several media outlets reported on November 15 on the launch of SWOP 2012. UNFPA ASRO and the League of Arab States, in Beirut, organized the high-level event jointly. The launch marked the opening of the 14th Meeting of Heads of Population Councils for Population Affairs in Arab States. The launch was held under the patronage and in the presence of the Lebanese Minister of Social Affairs and attended by high-level government representatives, international organizations, CSO, academia and media. Read in Arabic: PSP, Sidonia News 1, Sidonia News 2, Lebanon 24, Lebanon Debate, Now Lebanon, National News Agency.
MEXICO: Multiple media outlets reported on 15 November on the Mexican launch of UNFPA's State of the World Population report. UNFPA Representative Diego Palacios noted that while Mexico has reduced its demographic growth from 3.6 per year, in the 1970's, to 1.1 per year at present, gaps in health access still exist and lead to hospitalization derived from abortion, maternal deaths and unwanted pregnancies. It is estimated that 800,000 abortions are registered each year and in the last 10 years, two million hospitalizations were registered for the same cause. In addition, he highlighted the lack of attention currently given to indigenous and rural populations and youth. Latin America is has the second highest rate of pregnancies among adolescents. At the launch, UNFPA Representative Palacios stressed that while, advances have been made in demographic growth and fertility reduction, family planning is a human right that needs to be assumed as a priority for the public agenda of the country. Read in Spanish: La Jornada, El Economista, Reforma, Reforma, El Diario, Reforma, CIMAC, Milenio, Noticias, MVS, Azteca, Nocitias MVS, Once TV, El Sol de Mexico, CIMAC
CIMAC on 16 November reported that UNFPA Representative Diego Palacios mentioned that the next government administration, chaired by Enrique Peña Nieto from the Revolutionary Institutional Party, should consider updating Mexico’s population policy to be able to take advantage of the “the demographic bonus” and prioritize investment in reproductive and sexual health for adolescents, in addition to education and employment opportunities.
MOLDOVA: Info-Prim Neo wrote on 14 November about the launch of the State of World Population 2012 report. UNFPA Country Director for Moldova and Albania, Mr. Ian McFarlane, was quoted in the news, saying that “men’s involvement in family planning as partners in the relation and in life, the ensuring of greater access to information on reproductive health commodities and equal access to services of a high quality are simple actions that can bring extraordinary results. We underline our commitment to work together with the government and our partners so as to promote family planning in the development strategies and ensure the country’s sustainable development.” Read in Romanian and English: Info-Prim Neo.
The launch of the State of World Population 2012 report was discussed on 16 November, at Radio Moldova, program “Pro şi Contra”, where the guests discussed reproductive health and family planning issues. Mr. Boris Gilca, UNFPA Programme Coordinator raised the importance of trainings and family planning services for individuals and couples, budgeting resources from the Ministry of Health for contraceptives and access to life skills based education. Watch in Romanian Privesc.eu.
Ziarul de gardă on 15 November published a material “Boris Galca: fiecare sarcină, să fie dorită” (Boris Gilca: each pregnancy should be wanted), where they wrote about the launch of the State of World Population 2012 report. UNFPA Country Director for Moldova and Albania, Mr. Ian McFarlane, is quoted saying: “We underline our commitment to work together with the government and our partners so as to promote family planning in the development strategies and ensure the country’s sustainable development”.
MYANMAR: The New Light of Myanmar on 18 November reported on the launch of the State of the World Population report launch. UNFPA Representative Mr. Abdel-Ahad is quoted saying, "Nearly one quarter of Myanmar women of reproductive age have expressed desire to practice birth spacing but do not have access to contraceptives."
PARAGUAY: Multiple media outlets reported on 14 November that the right of adolescents and young people to have access to family planning services is addressed in the UNFPA's State of the World Population 2012. In Paraguay in recent years there has been an increase in contraceptive use in the sexually active adolescent population. According to the National Demographic and Reproductive Health 2008 (ENDSSR 2008), less than 60% of women who had their first sexual experience during marriage or first union have used a contraceptive. The percentage varies according to the area of residence. Read in spanish: La Nación , Última Hora , ABC Color, Neike , Radio 970
Multiple media outlets reported on 14 November that it is estimated that in developing countries there are 222 million women who lack access to reliable and quality services for family planning, according to The State of World Population 2012, released today by the UNFPA. Read in spanish: Diario La Nación Digital , ABC Color , Diario Fedecámaras , Radio Viva , SC Noticias , IP Paraguay
Radio Ñanduti reported on 15 November that, according to The State of World Population 2012, released on 14 November by UNFPA, lack of access to contraceptives and family planning services are some of the reasons why there are still millions of people who do not exercise their rights to family planning. This applies especially to women living in poverty, who are most vulnerable to discrimination and inequality. Read in Spanish: Radio Ñanduti
ABC Colour reported on 16 November that through various stories, The State of World Population 2012 UNFPA, released worldwide on 14 November, shows that when a woman is able to exercise her reproductive rights, she is more likely to exercise her other rights, such as education. As a result, there is more income, better health for women and their children. Read in Spanish: ABC Color digital
SOUTH AFRICA: Business Day on 14 November and Media 24 on 20 November reported on the South African launch of UNFPA's State of the World Population report.
SWAZILAND: The Swazi Observer reported on 15 November that, globally, out of the 80 million unintended pregnancies projected to have occurred in 2012, an estimated 40 million will likely end in abortion. The newspaper was reporting on the UNFPA's State of the World Population Report 2012, which was launched in Swaziland on the 14 November, by the Minister of Economic Planning and Development, Prince Hlangusemphi.
SWEDEN: Sveriges Radio, aired an interview with UNFPA Deputy Executive Director Ms. Kate Gilmore on 16 November. In the interview, Ms. Gilmore suggests that it makes good business sense to have family planning as a key priority in troubling economic times.
Bloggen om utvecklingspolitik from the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, reported on 20 November from the launch stating that many women still lack access to family planning. Read in Swedish: Sveriges Radio and Bloggen om utvecklingspolitik
TIMOR-LESTE: Suara Timor Lorosae reported on 16 November on the launch of the State of the World Population report in Dili. UNFPA Representative Pornchai Suchitta is quoted saying, “UNFPA supports voluntary family planning or birth spacing so individuals and couples can decide when and how often to have children. When women are able to exercise their right to family planning, they are healthier, more economically productive, and are better equipped to rise out of poverty."
Timor Post on 17 November reported that, "The population, especially young, Timorese people should plan their family before they are married and be responsible based on UNFPA data which shows that the population in the world increased quickly in 2012. According to the UNFPA data, one in four sexually active women aged 15 to 49— 222 million women in total—have an unmet need for family planning. Most unintended pregnancies happen in developing countries. Addressing this unmet need for family planning worldwide would avert 54 million unintended pregnancies and 26 million abortions." UNFPA Representative Pornchai Suchitta is quoted in the piece.
TURKEY: haber turk, haberler, euronews, haberx, and kmu.gov from 13- 15 November reported on the UNFPA's launch of the State of the World Population Report. Read in Turkish: Haber turk, Haberler, Euronews, Haberx, and HDN
UKRAINE: Multiple media outlets from 14-16 November reported on the launch of the State of the World Population report in Ukraine. UNFPA ECCARO director Werner Haug, who was at the regional launch, noted that contraceptive prevalence in Ukraine and Moldova is low compared to the EU countries leading to a high rate of adolescent pregnancies, particularly in rural areas. Ignoring family planning can cause poverty, morbidity and a high rate of mortality for women. About 100 girls younger than 14 give birth in Ukraine each year and 100 more abort. According to the Ministry of Health, unplanned pregnancies account for 65% of the country’s abortions.
UNFPA Representative Nuzhat Ehsan is quoted saying the, “UNFPA State of world population report proves that family planning has a multiplying positive impact on countries’ development. And the government in Ukraine declared it will guarantee a right for family planning to Ukrainian people.” Investments in family planning can help developing countries save resources for development. According to UNFPA report, women who use contraception are generally healthier, have higher income and are more productive economically.
Read in Ukrainian: UNIAN agency, Voice of America (Ukrainian service), Korrespondent, Gazeta, UNIAN agency, BBC (Ukrainian service), Podrobnosti, Liga Watch in Ukrainian: 1+1 TV, National television of Ukraine
UNITED STATES: Multiple media outlets, including The Associated Press, Huffington Post, Inter Press Service, CBS News and others, on 14 and 15 November reported on the launch of UNFPA's State of the World Population report. The Christian Science Monitor on 15 November reported on the release of the State of the World Population report. “It is the first time the U.N. Population Fund's annual report explicitly describes family planning as a human right. It effectively declares that legal, cultural, and financial barriers to accessing contraception and other family planning measures are an infringement of women's rights." Read in English: Huffington Post, The Associated Press, Inter Press Service, Voice of America, UPI, US News & World Report.
GERMANY: Gender Imbalance in Asia
Deutsche Welle World on 30 August reported that a new UNFPA report warned that “gender selection practices were increasing globally, with estimates of a gender gap of 117 million women ‘missing’ largely in China and India. The selection of boy children - who in many cultures are viewed more ‘valuable’ than girls - has been facilitated by improved medical ultrasound technology and official policies limiting the size of families. The UNFPA forecasts that by 2030, China and India will have 50 percent more men than women of marriageable age.”
GLOBAL: COVERAGE ON MIDWIFERY CONGRESS AND STATE OF WORLD’S MIDWIFERY REPORT
BBC2 (UK) reported on 22 June that a major report into the state of midwifery has found that traditional birth attendants alone will not stop women and babies dying. The three-year training course midwives undertake equips them with the skills to help save lives. And training just 112,000 new midwives could save the lives of 3.6 million mothers and babies by 2015. The UNFPA report says that this relatively low number of new midwives could have a big impact. But their presence in the community has to be supported with medical equipment and access to trained medical teams if there is a real emergency – like when a caesarean section or blood transfusion is needed. Read and Listen: BBC2
Associated Press (US) reported on 20 June that in Ethiopia, only 6 per cent of births are attended by a doctor, nurse or midwife. In Niger, many women have more pregnancies than is safe. In Botswana, the AIDS virus is linked to almost 80 per cent of maternal deaths. According to a UNFPA study, more and better trained midwives could help save millions of lives in these and scores of other countries with high mother and newborn death rates. Read: Associated Press
The Guardian (UK) reported on 20 June that the The State of the World's Midwifery 2011 report, launched at a meeting of the international confederation of midwives in Durban, South Africa, confirms a significant gap between the number of midwives practising and those needed to save lives. "The report points to an urgent need to train more health workers with midwifery skills and ensure equitable access to their life-saving services in communities to improve the health of women and children," said Babatunde Osotimehin, executive director of UNFPA, which released the report. Read: The Guardian
IRIN reported on 20 June that up to 3.6 million maternal and child deaths could be avoided each year if midwifery services were upgraded, according to a new report released by UNFPA and partners at a conference in Durban, South Africa. "Public health advisors and practitioners are not relying on the key health professional that can improve maternal mortality - the midwife," said Vincent Fauveau, Senior Maternal Health Advisor with UNFPA, who led the drafting of the report. Read: IRIN
UN News Centre reported on 20 June that Up to 3.6 million deaths could be avoided each year in 58 developing countries if midwifery services are upgraded, according to a report released by UNFPA and partners. Read: UN News Centre
UN Radio reported on 20 June that midwives are playing a major role in preventing mother to baby transmission of HIV, according to UNFPA. HIV and AIDS have been responsible for the majority of maternal and newborn deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa. In a new report on the State of the World’s Midwifery 2011, released the agency is calling for the scaling up of midwifery service around the globe. Vincent Faveau, the UNFPA senior maternal health advisor said, “Currently less than half of all pregnant women in the world have access to a professional midwife. If 95 per cent of the pregnant women had access to a professional midwife, well equipped and authorized to perform these life saving and preventative measures, that would make a big difference in the AIDS epidemic in the world.” Read and Listen: UN Radio and in Spanish: UN Radio
VOA (US) reported on 20 June that The State of the World’s Midwifery 2011 was released in Durban, South Africa, at the Triennial Congress of the International Confederation of Midwives. It says because of a lack of midwives, nearly 360,000 women die while pregnant or giving birth each year; about two million newborns die within the first 24 hours of life; and over two and a half million infants are stillborn. “Midwives are very important because they provide services throughout the childbearing years of a woman. So, they cover all the needs that exist in families for reproductive health, for education, family planning, obviously everything to do with pregnancy and childbirth and, generally, sexual and reproductive health issues,” said Petra ten Hoope, midwifery adviser and a main author of the report. Read: VOA
AFRICA: Panapress reported on 20 June that the city of Durban welcomed the launch of the first report on the current state of midwifery practice around the world, through new data collected in 58 countries representing all regions and to help strengthen the practice of midwifery throughout the world. The State of the World’s Midwives 2011 was launched at a press conference by the Undersecretary-General of the UN and Executive Director of UNFPA, Babatunde Osotimehin, in the presence of President of the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), Bridget Lynch. Read in French: Panapress
SAPA reported on 20 June that a report presented during a midwives' conference in Durban paints a gloomy picture about the state of midwifery in 58 developing countries. Up to 3.6 million deaths could be avoided each year in these countries if midwifery services were upgraded. The report was compiled by UNFPA and partners presented during the Triennial Congress of the International Confederation of Midwives in Durban. Read: SAPA
LATIN AMERICA: Reuters and EFE reported on 21 June on the release of the State of the World’s midwives 2011, and on remarks by UNFPA officials, including Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin at the World Congress of Midwives. Read in Spanish: EFE and Reuters
ARMENIA: Multiple media outlets reported on 21 June on the launch of The State of the World's Midwifery 2011, at the Triennial Congress of the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) underway in Durban, South Africa. The report unveils new data confirming there is a significant gap between the number of midwives practicing and those needed to save lives. Read: Tert.am, Armtown. Read in Armenian: Tert.am and News.am
AUSTRALIA: Radio Australia reported on 20 June that up to 3.6 million deaths could be avoided each year in 58 developing countries if midwifery services are upgraded, according to a United Nations report. The State of the World's Midwifery 2011 report, released by UNFPA and partner, says that 350,000 more midwives are still needed globally. The article included an interview with Della Sherrat, UNFPA's international coordinator for skilled birth attendants in Laos, who discussed maternal health and the role and need for skilled attendants in Laos and throughout Asia. Read: Radio Australia
BANGLADESH: Multiple media outlets published on 20 June an op-ed by UNFPA Representative Arthur Erken marking the release of “the State of the World’s Midwifery 2011.” Mr. Erken wrote, “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina committed during the MDG Summit in September 2010 in New York to “doubling the per centage of births attended by a skilled health worker by 2015 through training an additional 3,000 midwives, staffing all 427 sub-district health centres to provide round-the-clock midwifery services, and upgrading all 59 district hospitals and 70 Mother and Child Welfare Centres as centres of excellence for emergency obstetric care services”. This commitment is highly laudable and will tremendously help in achieving further reductions in maternal mortality and morbidity to achieve the Millennium Development Goal 5 by 2015. To operationalise this strategic direction of the Honorable Prime Minister, the Government of Bangladesh, with the support from UNFPA and the WHO, initiated a midwifery education programme in alignment with international and national standards to produce midwives with the required competencies.” Read: Daily Sun
BdNews24 reported on 20 June that a report presented during a midwives' conference in Durban paints a gloomy picture about the state of midwifery in 58 developing countries. Up to 3.6 million deaths could be avoided each year in these countries if midwifery services were upgraded. The report was compiled by UNFPA and partners and presented during the Triennial Congress of the International Confederation of Midwives in Durban. Read: BdNews24
BdNews24 reported on 20 June on the opening of the international congress of midwives. Midwives from across the globe walked five kilometres along the Durban waterfront a day prior to the opening of the congress, to send the message across that "the world needs more midwives now than ever to save mothers.” UNFPA, which supports midwifery development, observes that competent midwives are cost-effective solution to cut maternal deaths. "But the point is midwives have to be supervised. Supervision is extremely important," a UNFPA coordinator for midwifery programme said earlier. Read: BdNews24
BELARUS: Interfax reported on 24 June that according to the World Health Organization there are not enough birth attendants in the world. 358,000 women and 3.6 million children die annually from pre- and post-natal complications, which can be prevented, states the Midwifery report. The whole report bears the idea of necessity to strengthen midwifery services in the world. The report is prepared on request of UNFPA and was presented on the International Midwifery Confederation Congress, which is held every three years. Read in Russian: Interfax
BRAZIL: Agencia Brasil reported on 20 June that nearly 3.6 million deaths could be prevented each year with appropriate child delivery care, indicated a report launched by UNFPA in South Africa, during an international event with midwives. The UN agency has evaluated the care provided to pregnant women and newborns in 58 countries accounting for 60 per cent of births worldwide and more than 90 per cent of maternal mortality. The report showed an overall deficit of 350,000 midwives worldwide. The organization warned that 38 countries surveyed must dramatically increase the number of midwives if they want to achieve the MDG target of 95 per cent of deliveries with skilled attendance by 2015. Read in Portuguese: Agencia Brasil
CAMBODIA: Phnom Penh Post reported on 21 June that Cambodia must increase the number of midwives working in the Kingdom in order to meet a goal of having 95 per cent of births supervised by a skilled birth attendant by 2015, according to a report released on 20 June. The State of the World’s Midwifery 2011 report, released by UNFPA and partners, found that an estimated 567 more midwives were needed in Cambodia to meet a projected Millennium Development Goal target of 2,481. Cambodia is one of 38 countries facing a “severe shortage” of midwives, with an average of six midwives per 1,000 live births, the report stated. The maternal mortality rate is 290 deaths per 100,000 live births, according to 2008 data. Read: Phnom Penh Post
CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE): DRTV, MNTV, Congo-site, Canal Benedictions and Radio-Congo reported on 21 June on a press conference held by UNFPA Representative David Lawson and Midwife Order President Adrienne Beatrice Guekele. Mr. Lawson presented the contents of the report, emphasizing the point that midwives not only give birth but also save life. 350,000 additional midwives are needed worldwide, as many as women are dying giving birth. Recalling the advocacy for government-initiated midwifery on the occasion of International Midwife Day 2011, he said, "In Congo midwives are an integral and strategic element to reduce maternal mortality, including through implementing free C-section. We need more midwives, better distributed in the country, and UNFPA is support the government efforts in this regard, but we also need a well structured Midwife National Order, more professionalism, dedication and commitment by midwives to saving lives." Ms. Guekele agreed that more training was necessary and support by UNFPA was welcome. Read in French: Congo-site
DENMARK: U-landsnyt.dk and Politiken reported on 20 and 21 June on the release of the midwifery report on 20 June, focusing on the shortage of midwives in 38 countries. The article noted that UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin said that the report exposes the urgent need to train more health workers to assist during pregnancy and childbirth and to ensure equal access to their services in local communities. It will improve women's and children's health. Read in Danish: Politiken and U-Landsnyt
ECUADOR: Andes reported on 20 June that a new report by UNFPA estimated that the deficit amounted to 350,000 midwives in 58 countries worldwide. Read in Spanish: Andes
FRANCE: Radio France International broadcast on 23 June a two-part discussion featuring Vincent Fauveau, Maternal Health Adviser, UNFPA, and coordinator of the State of the World’s Midwifery Report; Luc de Bernis, Senior Maternal Health Adviser, UNFPA; and Frédérique Teurnier, President of the (French) College of Midwives. The discussion addressed the report and work in countries with high maternal mortality. Read and listen in French: RFI and RFI
La Croix reported on 20 June that a UNFPA report focused on the “irreplaceable role of midwives against pregnancy-related mortality.” 58 countries representing close to six births in ten comprise the heart of the problem: only 17 per cent of midwives are practicing there. Read in French: La Croix
AFP reported on 20 June that close to 3.6 million deaths could be avoided each year in 58 developing countries if midwifery services are strengthened by 2015, according to a new report by UNFPA.
GERMANY: Saarland reported on 20 June that the 58 countries, which represent 60 per cent of all births worldwide, represent 17 per cent of all active midwives. This lack of professional birth attendance is one of the main reasons that these countries account for about 90 percent of all cases of maternal mortality and 80 percent of all stillbirths. In the State of the World's Midwifery 2011 UNFPA examines the situation of midwives in 58 developing countries. In order to achieve MDG5, reducing maternal mortality by three quarters by the year 2015, about 350,000 additional midwives must be trained in the world. Particularly dramatic is the need for obstetricians in sub-Saharan Africa - the region with the highest maternal mortality worldwide. For example, there are in Sierra Leone at 221,000 births per year, only 111 midwives. Read in German: Saarland
INDIA: Hindustan Times reported on 23 June that a major report released by UNFPA has revealed that up to 3.6 million lives could be saved every year if midwifery services were upgraded in 58 developing countries by 2015. The State of the World's Midwifery 2011 revealed new data confirming there is a significant gap between the numbers of midwives practising and those needed to save lives. "We collected completely new data on the midwifery workforces in 58 'resource poor' countries where nearly 60 per cent of the world's babies are born. What we found were three huge gaps,” said Southampton statistician and social scientist Zoe Matthews. "First, there are not enough midwives. Second, women often cannot access care. Third, and most crucially, there is an urgent need to upgrade midwives' competencies in places where education, regulation and support for the profession are not strong,” added Prof. Matthews. "The report points to an urgent need to train more health workers with midwifery skills and ensure equitable access to their life-saving services in communities to improve the health of women and children," said Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of UNFPA.
The Indian Express reported on 21 June that according to the State of the World Midwifery 2011, a report by UNFPA, in India “ensuring availability of human resources for skilled attendance at birth in remote areas remains a challenge. In some regions the majority of midwifery services are provided by auxiliary nurse midwives, who lack full set of competencies.” Read: The Indian Express
ABC Live reported on 20 June that UNFPA’s first report on the state of midwifery was launched at the Triennial Congress of the International Confederation of Midwives in Durban, South Africa. The report highlights the critical role that midwives play in improving maternal and newborn health and survival and the shortage of skilled midwives in many low-income countries, stressing the need to train and deploy more midwives in all parts of a country - especially remote and rural areas. Read: ABC Live
MALAWI: The Guardian (UK) reported on 20 June that an innovative UNFPA report, The State of the World's Midwifery, focuses much needed attention on service providers, and will help to achieve MDGs 4 and 5. A recent paper on maternal health staff in a district referral hospital in Malawi concluded that burnout appears to be common among those providing antenatal, delivery and postnatal health services. Read: The Guardian
MÉXICO: Multiple media outlets reported on 20 and 21 June on the release of the State of the World's Midwifery. In Mexico, over 1,000 women die each year from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth as a result of a lack of access to skilled care, including midwives. This was reported by UNFPA Representative Diego Palacios, Patricia Veloz, Director ocf the National Centre for Gender Equality and Health, the Health Secretariat (SSA), and Maricruz Coronado, CEO of the Civil Association For Adolescents Centre San Miguel Allende, the first training school for midwives. Read in Spanish: Vanguardia, El Mercurio, La Jornada and Once TV
MOZAMBIQUE: Notícias reported on 23 June that a new UNFPA report says that births assisted by skilled professionals could save millions of lives in the world. According to the State of the World’s Midwifery-2011, if by 2015 midwifery services were upgraded in 58 countries maternal and child mortality rates would drop significantly.
NEPAL: Republica reported on 21 and 24 June on the release of the State of the World’s Midwifery report and the International Congress of Midwives, focusing on midwifery in Afghanistan, and quoting Geeta Lal, coordinator of the midwives programme at UNFPA, who cited Afghanistan as “one of the most successful countries in midwifery.” The coverage also included an interview with report coordinator Vincent Fauveau. Read: Republica and Republica
PARAGUAY: Multiple media outlets reported on 21 June on The State of the World’s Midwifery 2011, released by UNFPA and other international organizations. "This report highlights the urgent need to train more health workers with midwifery skills, and ensure equitable access to services in communities, to improve the health of women and children," said Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of UNFPA. Read in Spanish: Radio Nanduti, La Nacion and Radio Viva
SOUTH AFRICA: The Times reported on 20 June that a report presented during a midwives' conference in Durban has painted a gloomy picture about the state of midwifery in 58 countries. Up to 3.6 million deaths could be avoided each year in 58 developing countries if midwifery services were upgraded, it said. The report was compiled by UNFPA and partners and presented during the Triennial Congress of the International Confederation of Midwives in Durban. The study surveyed 58 developing countries and found that 38 of them were in dire need of more midwives. The 38 countries will not meet their MDG5 targets without 112,000 more midwives, the reports stated. In the report's foreword, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urges countries to take bold steps to improve midwifery. Read: The Times
SWAZILAND: The Swazi Observer reported on 22 June that the first ever midwifery report was launched at the ongoing International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) congress in Durban. Coordinated by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the report contains alarming statistics on how pregnant women and babies die all over the world because they do not have access to health facilities or qualified health professionals. Read: The Swazi Observer
The Swazi Observer reported on 21 June that midwives from over 100 countries were in Durban to attend the International Confederation of Midwives congress. Swazi midwives and a team of academics from the University of Swaziland are also participating in the congress. About 3000 delegates were participating in this mega event, whose major sponsors are Johnson & Johnson, UNFPA and other organizations. Prior to the official opening of the Congress, over 1,000 midwives participated in a 5km walk that began at the Moses Mabhida Stadium and ended at the U-Shaka Marine world, was aimed at drawing people’s attention to the important role played by midwives in societies. The article noted that UNFPA is clear in recommendations made in the report concerning midwifery by urging that: governments must recognize midwifery as a distinct profession, core to the provision of maternal and newborn health services and promote it as a career with posts at the national policy level; ensure that midwifery and midwives are specified in costed maternal and newborn health plans and aligned with human resources for health plans; ensure adequate availability and distribution of emergency obstetric and newborn care facilities, including midwife led units of care; and invest in human resource management to develop and maintain competencies, manage entries and exits, and improve data on the practising midwifery workforce. Read: The Swazi Observer
SWEDEN: Sveriges Radio reported on 20 June on the release of The State of the World’s Midwifery Report in their national news broadcast as well as on their website. The lead message was the lack of hundred thousand midwives in the world. A Swedish midwife, Ms. Anna af Ugglas, who works for UNFPA in Bangladesh, said “we can only gain from providing women with as much skilled attendance, support and help as possible during pregnancy and birth.” Read in Swedish: Sveriges Radio
Sveriges Radio Studio Ett, reported on 20 June on the lack of midwives in the developing world. Swedish UNFPA midwife Ms. Kristina Castell, who works in Nepal, was interviewed live from the midwifery congress in Durban. “The fact that this is not prioritized enough is closely linked to women’s low status,” she said, describing the situation in Nepal where the maternal death rate is high and access to midwives low, especially in rural areas. Mr. Anders Molin, Health Advisor at the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) also participated in the programme.Sveriges Radio
Sydsvenskan, reported on 21 June on the midwifery report, including a full-page interview with Swedish midwife Anna af Ugglas, who works with UNFPA in Bangladesh. She said the situation is improving in Bangladesh, but much still needs to be done. The country’s first 60 midwives graduated this year, but another 60,000 midwives are still needed, she said. “An educated midwife can for example identify risks at an early stage during pregnancy,” she said. “[A midwife] can support women to seek help in a clinic and deal with the most urgent complications.”
TANZANIA: The Citizen reported on 25 June on the launch of the State of the World’s Midwives, citing examples of shortage of midwives in the East African region but mostly Tanzania, which has the lowest ration in the region.
UNITED STATES: Ms. reported on 21 June that The State of the World's Midwifery 2001, a report released yesterday by UNFPA, indicates that if midwifery services were improved by 2015, approximately 3.6 million lives could be saved each year. The report underscores the current disparity between the number of midwives currently practicing and the number needed to reduce infant and maternal mortality. Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, executive director of UNFPA, stated, "The report points to an urgent need to train more health workers with midwifery skills and ensure equitable access to their life-saving services in communities to improve the health of women and children." Read: Ms.
Mother Jones reported on 20 June that increased access to and training for midwives in developing countries could save millions of lives every year, according to a new report that the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) issued Monday. Improved access to professional midwives could save 3.6 million lives in 58 developing countries by 2015, the report concludes. Read: Mother Jones
UZBEKISTAN: UzReport reported on 21 June that some 24,000 midwives play a key role in delivering antenatal care and assisting physicians during delivery in Uzbekistan. However, the division of responsibilities and tasks between obstetricians and midwives during delivery is sometimes unclear and presents a challenge in the work environment, according to the midwifery report. Problems, such as gaps in the training of midwives and lack of funding, persist. UNFPA is supporting the government by sharing good practices and providing international expertise on maternal health standards. "I think the government has made maternal health a major priority," said UNFPA Representative, Karl Kulessa. "The President has stressed that MDG5, on maternal health, is a big priority in this country, and we're working very closely with the government in realizing it."
UzReport reported on 20 June that the first State of the World's Midwifery report confirms the critical role midwives play in improving maternal and newborn health and survival. It highlights the shortage of skilled midwives in many low-income countries, stressing the need to train and deploy more midwives in all parts of a country - especially remote and rural areas. The report, commissioned and coordinated by UNFPA, was launched at the Triennial Congress of the International Confederation of Midwives in Durban, South Africa on 20 June. Read: UzReport
GERMANY: Climate Change Debate Must Include Women’s Voices, Campaigners Say
Deutsche-Welle reported on 8 March on the need to include women in efforts to combat climate change, noting that a 2009 study by UNFPA found that women in developing nations bear the disproportionate burden of climate change since they do most of the agricultural work and are therefore affected by weather patterns impacting on food, energy and water. Read: Deutsche-Welle
GLOBAL: COVERAGE ON RELEASE OF UNFPA’S STATE OF WORLD POPULATION 2010 REPORT
IRIN reported on 22 October that modern war is often not about soldier against soldier, but a struggle to "break the will of civilians — women, girls, men and boys" by whatever means possible - including rape – according to the UNFPA State of World Population 2010 report published on 20 October. The term “gender-based violence” is often used to refer to violence against women, but, as the UN Guidelines for Gender-based Violence Interventions in Humanitarian Settings state, "it is important to note. . . men and boys may also be victims of gender-based violence, especially sexual violence.” Read: IRIN
UN Radio reported on 21 October Safiye Çagar from UNFPA says it's crucial to recognize the role women play in rebuilding broken societies. Discrimination against women and the perpetuation of crimes, such as rape, is a major hindrance to peace, security and development in countries emerging from conflict, according to the State of World Population 2010 report. The report by UNFPA says when women have the same rights and opportunities as men, they are more resilient to conflict and disaster. "Renewal means creating new opportunities and rectifying entrenched inequalities. Renewals requires empowerment of all members of society who are vulnerable.” Read: UN Radio
IPS reported and published an interview on 20 October with UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid on the State of World Population 2010 report. “The new trend we are trying to bring into the discussion about women is the three R's – Resilience, Renewal, and Redefining roles. Women are always seen as victims. We are saying women are not victims. Women have the resilience, they keep the families together. And with renewal, when we are rebuilding after a crisis, we should not rebuild society as it was before, with all the inequalities and inequities in it, but on a new human rights paradigm that will bring equality.” Read: IPS and IPS
UN News reported on 20 October on the release of The World’s Women 2010: Trends and Statistics, published by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs and the State of World Population 2010, which found that discrimination against women not only exposes them to the worst effects of disaster and war, but also deprives their countries of a prime engine for recovery. “This year’s report is about the three Rs: resilience, renewal and redefining roles between boys and girls and men and women,” UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid said at the official launch in London of the report, which uses stories of individuals affected by conflict or catastrophe in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Haiti, Iraq, Jordan, Liberia, the occupied Palestinian territory, Timor-Leste and Uganda to bring home its message. Read: UN News
AFRICA: PANA reported on 20 and 22 October that UNFPA said "when women have access to the same rights and opportunities as men, they are more resilient to conflict and disaster and can lead reconstruction and renewal efforts in their societies. UNFPA made the statement in a report entitled, State of World Population 2010, which was released 20 October at the UN headquarters in New York. The release of the report coincided with the tenth anniversary of the UN Security Council’s landmark resolution 1325, which aimed to put a stop to sexual violence against women and girls in armed conflict. Read: PANA and in French: PANA
Afrol News reported on 20 October that the East African region is slowly developing into one of the world's new population blocks, with the region surpassing all of North America in few years and all of Europe by the 2040s. A new, major power may be building up. New data by UNFPA, presented in London, reveal a major global population shift, where the Eastern African region is emerging as one of the world's largest blocks in the coming decades. Read: Afrol News
Jeune Afrique reported on 20 October on the release of the State of World Population 2010 report. Read in French: Jeune Afrique
LATIN AMERICA: EFE reported on 20 October on the release of the State of World Population 2010 report. Women and children remain the principle victims of conflicts and, when they are over, can achieve peace. According to the report, the traumas that are suffered by people because of war do not disappear when peace agreements are made, and the impact of conflict is felt differently by everyone in a society. Read in Spanish: EFE
AUSTRALIA / AFGHANISTAN: The Sydney Morning Herald reported on 20 October that it's important for Australia to see through the Afghanistan mission to prevent it again becoming a terrorist haven and also to achieve a better deal for Afghan women. Speaking following the launch of UNFPA’s State of World Population 2010 report, Minister for the Status of Women Kate Ellis said the Taliban banned girls from school, locked away women and allowed them few rights. "It is really important that we see it through so that we can prevent Afghanistan from becoming a haven for terrorists again; and also that we can empower those women and make sure they are considered as a part of a lasting peace, and we have educated women with rights and responsibilities to play a full role within the civil life of Afghanistan," she said. Read: Sydney Morning Herald
AUSTRALIA: ABC and Radio Australia reported on 20-21 October on Deputy Regional Director Najib Assifi’s radio interview with Louise Maher and Linda Lopresti about UNFPA’s report on the State of World Population. Read: ABC and Radio Australia
AUSTRIA: Multiple media outlets reported on 20 October on the release of UNFPA’s State of World Population 2010 report and quoted Petra Bayr, the Austrian Parliamentarian who launched the report in Vienna together with ÖGF. The articles say that women often are not responsible for starting war but often have to suffer the most from war. Read in German: Nachrichten, Die Standard, OTS, Wiener Zeitung
BANGLADESH: Daily Star reported on 22 October that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is unaware of the statistics of the country's new population figure revealed by UNFPA in Dhaka on 20 October, highly placed sources said yesterday. Neither Health Minister AFM Ruhal Haque nor Secretary Humayun Kabir knew anything about the UN report that claimed Bangladesh's total population rose to 16.44 crore in 2010, from 12.43 crore in 2001. "I have no knowledge about UNFPA claim and I was not consulted before revealing such a report on Bangladesh," said Ruhal Haque in response to a journalist’s request for comments on UNFPA’s report, State of World Population 2010. Read: Daily Star
Financial Express published an editorial on 22 October arguing, “There is no parallel of a small country of about 55,000 square miles only crammed already with a population of 164.4 million which is the size of the Bangladesh population today according to the latest report of UNFPA that was released at a function at a city hotel last 20 October. The occasion was aimed to alert policy-makers in this country to the runway population growth which has already suffered the burden of overpopulation for a long time. UNFPA assessment also showed up the lack of credibility of erstwhile available official figure of the current population size of the country at 140 million. Thus, there are more than 24 million more people whom the earlier official headcount bypassed and who remain outside planned activities on its part. This is a glaring omission in the sphere of population control activities among other vital indicators of slipping performance in what should be a centre point of concern for Bangladesh.” Read: Financial Express
Daily Star, New Nation and Sify reported on 20 and 21 October that Bangladesh's population is now 164.4 million, up from 156 million a decade back. The boom is a matter of concern as it threatens food security, warned Food and Disaster Management Minister Abdur Razzaque who unveiled the State of World Population 2010 report. The UNFPA report also predicted that the population of the country would hit 222.5 million by 2050. Read: Daily Star (21 October), Daily Star (20 October) New Nation and Sify
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA: Multiple media outlets reported on 20 October and 21 October on the UNFPA’s exhibition "S.O.S. Sound of Silence" at the BiH National Galery. At the Exhibition’s opening evening the visitors watched the premiere screening of the UN Documentary Film 21st Century - Bosnia: Rape, Legacy of War presented by producer Andi Gitow. The event also served to publicly launch the annual UNFPA State of the World Population Report for 2010. Read in Bosnian: BH Dani, Radio Sarajevo, Ljiljan, MOJ Portal
BOTSWANA: Daily News reported on 22 October that women rarely wage war, but they suffer the worst of its consequences, UNFPA Representative Aisha Camara-Drammeh, has said. Officiating at the launching ceremony of a report on the State of World Population themed, "From Conflict and Crisis to Renewal: Generations of Change," Ms. Camara-Drammeh said women participation in peacebuilding was a prerequisite to its success.
BRAZIL: Multiple media outlets reported on 20 October that rape has become a widespread weapon of war used in many countries during conflicts, according to a new report released by UNFPA. UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Obaid stressed that while conflicts and disasters intensify gender inequities, recovery represents a unique opportunity to correct such inequalities, ensure proper legal protection and create room for positive change. Read in Portuguese: Terra Portal/EFE Brasil, Deutsche Welle-Brasil and Agencia Brasil
Folha de S.Paulo, UOL and BOL reported on 21 October that only 10 per cent of the world’s countries protect women during conflict and disaster situations, according to UNFPA’s State of World Population 2010 Report. The article recalls that ten years after the UN Security Council's approval of resolution 1325, the first of its kind addressing women’s issues in armed conflict, only 18 out of 192 nations have implemented measures to follow its guidelines. UNFPA Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Marcela Suazo, is quoted saying that one should not forget that there are other countries following guidelines from UN conferences on women. She also pointed out that despite the fact Brazil has not yet taken action to implement resolution 1325, the country has shown progress in fighting violence against women, but an overall social consciousness that such violence should not be tolerated is still needed. Read in Portuguese: Folha de S. Paulo and BOL
CANADA: Toronto Star reported on 19 October that the 1990s were brutal years for women in war-torn territories. In Bosnia and Kosovo, they were rounded up and systematically assaulted in rape centres. In Rwanda, they were raped, mutilated and slaughtered. In Liberia and Uganda they were tortured and forced into sexual slavery. And in East Timor they were kidnapped and raped as their husbands were executed. Ten years ago, widespread atrocities led to a ground-breaking United Nations Security Council resolution demanding that warring factions protect women and girls from gender-based violence and include them in peace negotiations. UNFPA published a report on the progress made since the resolution was passed. It says there is a growing network of grassroots organizations working with governments and communities to help conflict victims — including men and boys. The UN is marking the anniversary of the resolution with a Global Open Day on Women, Peace and Security highlighting recommendations from women peace advocates from war-affected countries. “What began as a call on governments a decade ago to deal with abuses or neglect of women and girls has steadily grown into a broader movement that encompasses all members of society,” said the population fund’s report. Read: Toronto Star
CHINA: People’s Daily Online reported on 21 October that discrimination against women not only exposes them to the worst effects of disaster and war, including rape, but also deprives their countries of a prime engine for recovery, according to a new United Nations report launched on 20 October. UNFPA State of World Population 2010 report, “From Conflict and Crisis to Renewal: Generations of Change” coincides with the tenth anniversary of the Security Council's landmark Resolution 1325, which aimed to end sexual violence against women and girls in armed conflict and to encourage greater participation by them in peace building initiatives. "This year's report is about the three Rs: resilience, renewal and redefining roles between boys and girls and men and women," UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid said on 20 October at the official launch in London of the report, which uses stories of individuals affected by conflict or catastrophe in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Haiti, Iraq, Jordan, Liberia, the occupied Palestinian territory, Timor-Leste and Uganda to bring home its message. Read: People’s Daily Online
People’s Daily Online reported on 20 October that the world's population is expected to reach 9.15 billion in 2050 from the current 6.908 billion. According to the State of World Population 2010 report, India will have a population of 1.6138 billion by that time and would become the world's most populous country, replacing China whose population will reach 1.417 billion in 2050. The theme of this year's report was "From Conflict and Crisis to Renewal: Generations of Change,” UNFPA Deputy Executive Director Mari Simonen said. She said this year's report coincided with the tenth anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which recognizes the vulnerability of women and girls to violence during and after armed conflict and the absence of women representation in efforts to prevent war. Read: People’s Daily Online
COLOMBIA: Multiple media outlets reported on 22-25 October on the launch of the State of World Population 2010 report by UNFPA representative Tania Patriota. Ms. Patriota called on Colombia to recognize the fact that sexual violence is a weapon of war, and that much remains to be done, as many cases of sexual and gender-based violence continue to go unreported and un-prosecuted. Read in Spanish: El Colombiano, El Nuevo Siglo, El Tiempo, MSN Colombia, Caracol
CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE): Les Depeches de Brazzaville and Congo-site reported on 22 October on the launch by UNFPA of the State of World Population report. The report was presented by UNFPA Representative David Lawson who called on the international community to take unprecedented measures to prevent sexual violence against women in armed conflict and humanitarian situations. In her address on the occasion, Social Affairs and Humanitarian Action Minister Emilienne Raoul praised UNFPA for its role in development and humanitarian action and called upon it to support the documentation of the role of the civil wars' consequences on Congolese Women and their role in peacebuilding. On an official visit to Congo, UNFPA Africa Regional Director addressed young people and entertained an innovative and interactive dialogue with them on the themes of the report. He said, "young people are the future of the world and actors of conflict prevention and peace building reconstruction. It is essential that Governments invest in youth now." The event was broadly attended by government officials, ambassadors, UN Representatives, and civil society actors. Read in French: Les Depeches de Brazzaville and Congo-site
COSTA RICA: Teletica reported on 22 October on the launch of the State of World Population 2010 report. Watch in Spanish: Teletica
CUBA: Granma reported on 21 October and Prensa Latina reported on 20 October on the release of UNFPA’s State of World Population 2010 report. UNFPA Regional Director Marcela Suazo explained that the report brings to light the experiences of women in countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Haiti, Jordan, Timor-Leste and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Read in Spanish: Granma and Prensa Latina
DENMARK: U-landsnyt reported on 21 October on UNFPA’s State of World Population 2010 report. It stated that women are central actors in peacekeeping and in rebuilding societies. Read in Danish: U-landsnyt
ECUADOR: El Tiempo reported on 20 October on the launch of the State of World Population 2010 report in Ecuador, highlighting the fact that half of the 52,000 Colombian citizens with refugee status in Ecuador are women and 70 per cent of the world’s refugees are women. Read in Spanish: El Tiempo
EL SALVADOR: EFE reported on 21 October on the release of the State of World Population report. UNFPA Representative Elena Zúñiga discussed gender-based violence in El Salvador, urging the government to develop a plan to address violence against women in the country. Read in Spanish: EFE
Diario Co Latino reported on 20 October that according to a report issued every year by UNFPA, in the 1980’s and 1990’s, armed conflict in many countries affected women in particular, given the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war.
ETHIOPIA: Walta Information Centre reported on 22 October on the Global Open Day on Women and Peace and Security held at United Nations Headquarters in New York. The article noted that UNFPA launched a new report that found that discrimination against women not only exposes them to the worst effects of disaster and war, including rape, but also deprives their countries of a prime engine for recovery. The State of World Population 2010 “is about the three Rs: resilience, renewal and redefining roles between boys and girls and men and women,” Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid said at the official launch in London of the report, which uses stories of individuals affected by conflict or catastrophe in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Haiti, Iraq, Jordan, Liberia, the occupied Palestinian territory, Timor-Leste and Uganda to bring home its message. Read: Walta Information Centre
FINLAND: Global reported on the State of World Population 2010 report, stating that gender roles are turned upside down in conflicts, putting emphasis on women’s vulnerability during war and crisis. Read in Finnish: Global
FRANCE: AFP reported on 20 October on the launch of the State of World Population 2010 report. Sexual violence as a weapon of war and as an outcome of turmoil and disaster is inflicting a terrifying toll on women, the United Nations said on 20 October. "Women rarely wage war, but they too often suffer the worst of its consequences," UNFPA said in its annual snapshot of the state of the world's population. "Gender-based violence, including rape, is a repugnant and increasingly familiar weapon of war. The immediate toll it takes extends far beyond its direct victims, insidiously tearing apart families and shattering societies for generations to come." Read: AFP and in French: AFP
Radio France Internationale, United Nations Radio, TV5 world service and AITV featured interviews on 20 October with the Chief of UNFPA's Gender, Human Rights and Culture Branch on the launch of the State of World Population 2010 report.
La Croix and RFI reported on 20 October that rape and other gender-based violence is increasing and the way to fight it is to empower women, according to a UN report. The State of World Population 2010, produced by UNFPA, has been issued in the run-up to the tenth anniversary of a Security Council resolution which condemns violence against women and girls. Read: RFI and La Croix
GERMANY: Deutsche Press-Agentur reported on 20 October that discrimination against women and girls makes them more vulnerable to the devastating effects of war and natural disasters, according to a new United Nations report. Recovering from catastrophe is also hampered if one gender is denied the chance for equal opportunity. “If we're serious about preventing conflicts, recovering from war and natural disaster and building lasting peace, we need to empower women, as well as the young and the elderly, to become agents of positive change,” said Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, the head of UNFPA. Read: DPA
GEORGIA: The Messenger reported on 22 October that UNFPA published The State of World Population 2010. According to the report, when women have access to the same rights and opportunities as men, they are more resilient to conflict and disaster and can lead reconstruction and renewal efforts in their societies. The report’s release coincides with the tenth anniversary of the United Nations Security Council’s landmark resolution 1325, which aimed to put a stop to sexual violence against women and girls in armed conflict and to encourage greater participation by women in peacebuilding initiatives. “When women and girls suffer deep discrimination, they are more vulnerable to the worst effects of disaster or war, including rape, and less likely to contribute to peacebuilding, which threatens long-term recovery,” said UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid at the launch of the report.
GUATEMALA: Cerigua reported on 23 October that armed conflicts and natural disasters cause physical and psychological trauma that has a particularly strong impact on women, boys and girls, according to Noemí Espinosa, a UNFPA expert. Ms. Espinosa spoke at the release of the State of World Population 2010 report. Read in Spanish: Cerigua
Prensa Libre reported on 23 October on the release of UNFPA’s State of World Population 2010 report. The report found that life expectancy in Guatemala is 67.3 years for men and 74.4 years for women. Read in Spanish: Prensa Libre
GUINEA-CONAKRY: Radio Soleil, Djigui FM and Espace FM reported on 20 October on UNFPA´s launch of the State of Population 2010 report. UNFPA Representative Marcelle Chevallier, discussed the important role women play in the restoration of peace and the need to use effective ways to protect them.
HAITI: AlterPresse, Expreso Ecuador (Ecuador), The Jamaica Gleaner (Jamaica) and Nation News (Jamaica and Barbados) reported on 18-22 October on the launch of the State of World Population 2010 report, highlighting comments by Igor Bosc, UNFPA Haiti Representative. Mr. Bosc underscored the fact that the earthquake destroyed the vast majority of the health facilities in Port-au-Prince which has caused great concern to his organization as the country’s fertility rate has tripled. "This is why it is troubling for us. We are trying to call attention to the international community and the national players to respond to this crisis," Bosc said. He told journalists that there has been an increase in violence against women. "Only 12 per cent of the population use condoms and the prevalence of HIV is likely to increase," he said. Read: Jamaica Gleaner, Nation News (22 October) and Nation News (18 October), in Spanish: Expreso Ecuador and in French: AlterPresse
IRAN: Hamshahri, Isna and IRNA reported on 20-25 October that the State of World Population 2010 report, published by UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, was released. The report’s release coincides with the tenth anniversary of the United Nations Security Council’s landmark resolution 1325, which aimed to put a stop to sexual violence against women and girls in armed conflict and to encourage greater participation by women in peacebuilding initiatives. “When women and girls suffer deep discrimination, they are more vulnerable to the worst effects of disaster or war, including rape, and less likely to contribute to peacebuilding, which threatens long-term recovery,” said UNFPA’s Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid at the launch of the report. Read: IRNA and in Farsi: ISNA
IRELAND: The Irish Times reported on 21 October that governments should seize opportunities arising out of post-conflict or disaster recovery to address gender inequalities, according to UNFPA. The recommendation is made in UNFPA ’s annual State of World Population report, which was launched yesterday. This year’s report examines how “conflict and protracted humanitarian emergencies affect women and girls – and men and boys.” Speaking at the Dublin launch, Seán Hand of UNFPA said that while conflict and disaster can deepen inequalities between men and women, the recovery process presents a “unique opportunity” to “rectify inequalities, ensure equal protection under the law, and create space for positive change.” The Dublin launch was hosted by the Irish Family Planning Association, UNFPA’s partner in Ireland. The event was one of more than 140 such events taking place in as many countries worldwide to mark the report’s release. Read: The Irish Times
ITALY: Multiple media outlets reported on 20-24 October on the launch of the State of World Population 2010 report by Marina Mancielli. Watch in Italian: Radio Radicale and ASCA
JAMAICA: The Jamaica Gleaner reported on 22 October on the release of the State of World Population 2010 report in London. “This year's report calls attention to the devastating and unacceptable sexual violence in countries affected by conflict. As an international community, we have not been able to prevent this crime and human-rights violation. This report calls for urgent and concerted action to protect women, prevent sexual violence, stop impunity and injustice," said UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid. Jamaica Gleaner
JORDAN: The Jordan Times reported on 21 October that public agencies and NGOs have played a key role in assisting the nearly half-a-million displaced Iraqis estimated to reside in the Kingdom, according to a UN report released on 20 October.
UNFPA launched its annual State of World Population report 2010 titled “From Conflict and Crises to Renewal: Generations of Change,” which drew upon the experiences of women and girls, men and boys, living in the wake of conflict and other “catastrophic disruptions.” Read: The Jordan Times
KENYA: Capital FM reported on 21 October that this year's United Nations report on State of World Population 2010 shows that women and children suffer most in conflict and disaster situations which make them most vulnerable to gender-based violence. Speaking during the launch of the report, UNFPA Representative Fidelis Zama Chi asked governments to pay attention to sexual violence especially in countries affected by conflict. "We are also aware of how the African region is torn by conflict. Even if the country is not in a state of crisis, it still has a role to play and the role will be… what can we do to help those in this situation?" he said. Read: Capital FM
Daily Nation reported on 21 October that fresh investigations are needed to expose police officers and militiamen who raped women in the 2007 post-election violence. Key speakers at the function to launch the State of World Population 2010 report expressed fears that ongoing investigations meant to trace key masterminds of the violence may spare people who executed sexual offences, including youths and neighbors. They called for an independent local arrangement, parallel to the International Criminal Court procedures, to deal with culprits of rape and put in place mechanisms of dealing with such vice. UNFPA assistant country representative Cecilia Kimemia called on the government to implement the Waki report on post-election violence’s recommendations on rape. She suggested that the troubled Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission expose men who raped women during the post-election violence and propose a healing process. ‘‘We hope the report’s recommendations will not be ignored,” she said. Read: Daily Nation
REPUBLIC OF KOREA: Korea Times, Chosunilbo and Dong-A Ilbo reported on 21 October that South Korea has the 26th largest population in the world this year. The latest report from UNFPA showed its population hitting 48.5 million this year, up 200,000 from the previous year. But despite the gain in the total number of people, South Korea's average fertility rate covering the past five years is the third lowest among 186 countries surveyed. According to the report, the country’s fertility rate is 1.24, just behind Hong Kong’s 1.01 and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s 1.21. Read: Korea Times, Chosun Ilbo and Dong-A Ilbo
KYRGYZSTAN: Baldar and 24 news agency reported on 21 October on the launch of the SWOP report. Read in Russian: Baldar and 24
LIBERIA: The Inquirer reported on 20 October that President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has shown gratitude for UNFPA for what she calls its past and present support to the country, especially in the direction of highlighting the Liberian state of affairs in its 2010 report on conflict and women issues. Gender Minister Varbah Gayflor, who represented President Sirleaf at the first celebrations of World Statistics Day which was concomitantly observed yesterday between the Liberia Institute for Statistics and Geo Information Services (LISGIS) and UNFPA, as part of the launch of the State of World Population 2010 report, said, “Uion from brutal civil crisis to national renewal is featured in this report.” Read: The Inquirer
MADAGASCAR: La Verite reported on 21 October that the report on the State of World Population 2010 has been presented by UNFPA Representative, Mr. Cheikh Cissé at a press conference.
MEXICO: CIMAC reported on 20 October that when peace comes, the survivors of conflicts and natural disasters, face new realities, including an increase in violence against women, changes in gender roles and economic instability, according to the State of World Population 2010 report, published by UNFPA. Read in Spanish: CIMAC
Notimex reported on 20 October on the launch of the State of World Population 2010 report by UNFPA. The report, which links peace, security and development with the rights and empowerment of women, presents stories of women affected by conflict and catastrophe in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Haiti, Iraq, Jordan and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, among other places. Read in Spanish: Notimex
Universia reported on 20 October that Mexico continues to record one of the highest illiteracy rates in Latin America. According to a report by UNFPA, 5.4 per cent of men and 8.5 per cent of women over 15 are illiterate. Read in Spanish: Universia
MOLDOVA: The Times reported on 22 October that the 2010 edition of the State of World Population report released globally on 20 October describes the situation of women and girls in emergencies, wars and natural disasters. UNFPA organized the launch of the event in Hincesti rayon, where, the same day, a three-day seminar for medical workers about medical care in emergencies with a focus on reproductive health started. Read in Romanian: The Times
NEPAL: Kathmandu Post reported on 24 October that Nepal’s total population will reach 40 million by 2050, according to a UNFPA report. The estimate has been made on the basis of the country’s average growth rate of 1.8 per cent between 2005 and 2010.The report also shows that 19 per cent of Nepal’s population lives in urban areas.
Read: Kathmandu Post
NIGERIA: The Daily Independent reported on 23 October that when women have access to the same rights and opportunities as men, they are more resilient to conflict and disaster and can lead reconstruction and renewal efforts in their societies, according to the newly launched State of World Population 2010 report, published by UNFPA. Read: The Daily Independent
APA reported on 21 October that Nigeria’s population is projected to reach 289 million by 2050 making it the fifth most populous country in the world, UNFPA says in a report. The country’s current population, according to the UN, is 158. 3 million. In its yearly report entitled: The State of the World Population 2010, UNFPA says the world's population currently stands at about 6.9 and is projected to increase to 9.1 billion in 2050. Read: APA
NORWAY: ABC Nyheter and Aftenposten reported on 21 October on the State of World Population report. ABC Nyheter stated that, according to the report, sexualized violence is used as a weapon in wars and the result of disasters have devastating consequences for women. Aftenposten covered the Liberian case from the report in an article stressing the need to prosecute sexual criminals, during and also after wartime. Read in Norwegian: ABC Nyheter and Aftenposten
PAKISTAN: Express Tribune reported on 21 October that UNFPA launched the State of World Population 2010 report in Islamabad, focusing on the role of women in dealing with humanitarian crisis and conflicts. The report claims that when women have access to the same rights and opportunities as men, they are more resilient to conflict and disaster, and can lead reconstruction and renewal efforts. “Many women and young people have overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and begun rebuilding their lives and laying the foundation for peace and renewal of their societies,” said Rabbi Royan, Technical Advisor on Population and Development of UNFPA. Read: Express Tribune
PAPUA NEW GUINEA/SOLOMON ISLANDS: Radio Australia (Australia) reported on 20 October that UNFPA has released its latest report on the State of World Population. It finds that while the past ten years has seen falling adolescent population and an increase in the use of contraception, overall progress has slowed on universal access to reproductive health. In the Pacific, geography can be a key obstacle, especially with countries like the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea where there's little improvement made. The report also conicides with the tenth anniversary of UN Security Council resolution 1325. Read: Radio Australia
PARAGUAY: Neike reported on 20 October that when women have the same rights and opportunities as men, they are more resilient in the face of conflict and disaster and can lead reconstruction and renewal of societies, according to the 2010 State of the World Population, released on 20 October by UNFPA. Read in Spanish: Neike
THE PHILIPPINES: The Manila Bulletin reported on 21 October that the Aquino administration will be revealing the complete slate of the members of the peace panel for the revival of peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF). Secretary Teresita Deles, Presidential Adviser on Peace Process, said the reconstituted peace panel sends a signal for the resumption of peace negotiations with the CPP-NPA-NDF. “With the formation of a peace panel, we will be able to know how we can move forward for the peace negotiations,” Deles said during the launch of the State of World Population 2010 report in Makati. The peace adviser also noted that the government is geared towards the resumption of peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Read: The Manila Bulletin
PORTUGAL: Multiple media outlets reported on 20 October on the launch of the State of World Population 2010 report by Tania Patriota with the presence of Catarina Furtado, UNFPA Goodwill ambassador. Read in Portuguese: Tvi24, IOL, Sol, Bomdia.eu, Correio do Minho
SENEGAL: Agence de Presse Senegalaise reported on 20 October on UNFPA's State of World Population 2010 report. Read in French: Agence de Presse Senegalaise
SIERRA LEONE: Awoko reported on 26 October that the Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs, Dr. Soccoh Kabia has officially launched the State of World Population 2010 report on the theme, “From Conflict and Crisis to Renewal: Generations of Change.” The ceremony was held at the Atlantic Hall of the National Stadium in Freetown. This year’s report focuses on issues that are critical to the development and well-being of human societies everywhere and also highlights the fundamental changes in societies who have staggered out of brutal wars and the new realities they face: changes in gender roles, new power relationships within families, unsettled village communities and traditional cultures influx. Furthermore, the release of the State of World Population report 2010, published by UNFPA, coincides with the tenth anniversary of Resolution 1325, the Security Council’s groundbreaking move against the abuse of women in conflict and the marginalization of them in peacebuilding. Read: Awoko
SPAIN: Multiple media outlets reported on 20 October on the launch of the State of World Population 2010 report in Madrid. Read in Spanish: Ameco Press, Ecodiario, Expansion.com, Europa Press, Humanista.tv, El Mundo, Periodista Digital and SINC
SOUTH AFRICA: SAPA reported on 20 October that infant mortality rates, a measure of the number of babies that die in the first year of life, are lower in Botswana and Namibia than they are in South Africa. According to a table of indicators contained in UNFPA’s State of World Population 2010 report, infant mortality in South Africa is 43 per 1,000 live births. The 2010 report also contains a comparison, by country, of reproductive health indicators, including births per 1,000 woman aged 15-19, and contraceptive and HIV prevalence rates. It says that in sub-Saharan Africa, the Southern Africa region has by far the lowest adolescent birth rate - 61 per 1,000 girls - and the highest contraceptive prevalence, at 59% for all methods and 58% for so-called modern methods. Read: SAPA
SUDAN: Sudan Vision Daily and Al Sahafa published a UNFPA statement on 20 October on the State of World Population 2010 report. The “report reflects that while women rarely wage war, they suffer the worst of its consequences, and when they have access to the same rights and opportunities as men, they are more resilient to conflict and disaster and can lead reconstruction and renewal efforts in their societies,” said UNFPA-Sudan. Read: Sudan Vision Daily and in Arabic: Al Sahafa
SWEDEN: Sveriges Radio and U-landsnyt reported on the Swedish launch held with the participation of Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson and UNFPA Deputy Executive Director Mari Simonen. Sveriges Radio featured an interview with Ms. Simonen and Gunilla Carlsson. Read in Swedish: Moderaterna and Sveriges Radio
Expressen published an op-ed on the UNFPA report on 24 October by Minister Gunilla Carlsson, stating that women’s participation in peace processes is crucial in order to obtain sustainable peace. Read in Swedish: Expressen
SWITZERLAND: Multiple media outlets reported on 20 October on the release of the State of World Population 2010 report, quoting UNFPA’s Thoraya Obaid, Bettina Maas and Renate Baehr, Director of the German Foundation for World Population, DSW. They focus on maternal mortality and family planning, saying that each year 80 million women are getting pregnant but don’t want to. The second part of the article is about gender and conflict and the roles that women play in reconstructing societies and that they should not be discriminated against but empowered. Read in German: Sonntag Zeitung and NZZ
TANZANIA: The Citizen reported on 21 October on new life expectancy estimates reported in UNFPA’s State of World Population 2010 report , noting that the country now leads sub-Saharan Africa in life expectancy. The State of World Population 2010 report says that while a Tanzanian woman is assured of living an average of 57 years and seven months, a man can live up to 56 years and one month. Read: The Citizen
The Guardian and Daily News reported on 21 and 22 October that United Nations Resident Coordinator Alberic Kacou commended the government for such an achievement in hosting refugees from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda and Burundi. Mr. Kacou, however, said that UNFPA and UNHCR were still assessing the refugee situation. A short film shown at the event which witnessed the launch of the State of World Population 2010 report, under the theme ‘From Conflict and Crisis to Renewal: Generations of Change’ provided evidence on the decent life that refugees were living in Nyarugusu Camp in North West Kigoma Region. “To take this theme to the Tanzania context, UNFPA and UNHCR have come together, in a spirit of ‘delivering as one UN’, to focus on Tanzania’s landmark achievements in hosting refugees from neighbouring countries of DRC, Rwanda and Burundi,” he said. Read: The Guardian and Daily News
THAILAND/SRI LANKA: Reuters Alertnet featured an interview on 21 October with Sunila Abeysekera, who received the U.N. Human Rights Prize in 1988 and was named Human Rights Defender of the Year by Human Rights Watch in 2007. Ms. Abeysekera was interviewed at the Bangkok launch of the State of World Population 2010 report, which says rape is being used increasingly as a weapon of war and that the international community has failed to prevent it. Read: Alertnet
THE NETHERLANDS: Radio Netherlands Worldwide reported on 20 October that things are going better for women in former war and crisis regions. They are playing a greater role in the reconstruction of their country. Sexual violence remains a problem, although some good developments have been reported. In the Palestinian territories, for example, the United Nations has helped set up centres where women can access know-how, support and training courses. Jamilah Mahmood of UNFPA summarized the organization's annual report, the State of World Population 2010, which was published around the world on 20 October. The Netherlands is UNFPA's biggest donor. This year's report looks at countries attempting to rebuild after wars and the traumas which continue to affect them long after the war has ended. Read: Radio Netherlands Worldwide
TIMOR LESTE: Timor Post reported on 21 October on the launch of the State of World Population 2010 report. UNFPA Representative, Mr. Pornchai Suchitta remarked that cases from Timor-Leste were also submitted in the 2010 SWOP, with the theme “From conflict and crisis to renewal: generations of change,” as this country is one of the nations that have experienced post conflict and disaster and is now moving into unity recuperation.
Voxy (New Zealand) reported on 18 October that, with a press conference, the UNFPA Country Office in Timor-Leste will launch the State of World Population (SWOP) 2010 report. With the theme "From Conflict and Crisis to Renewal: Generations of Change," this year the SWOP, for the first time, includes Timor-Leste's case as part of the countries that have experienced conflict or disasters and are on the road to recovery. The release of the State of World Population 2010 coincides with the tenth anniversary of resolution 1325, the Security Council's groundbreaking move against the abuse of women in conflict and the marginalization of them in peace building. Read: Voxy
UGANDA: The Daily Monitor and The New Vision reported and NTV featured interviews with UNFPA staff on 21 October on the release of the State of World Population 2010 report. Speaking at the launch of the State of the World and Uganda Population reports, Janet Jackson said there is much at stake for societies when there is continued exclusion of women in the process of the post-conflict rebuilding and recovery of their communities. “Women’s participation is central to understanding post-conflict trauma as well as the determination and will to move on. It is critical for efforts to prevent war, build peace and restore devastated societies,” Ms. Jackson said. Read: The Daily Monitor and The New Vision
U.K.: The Guardian reported on 20 October that UNFPA's State of World Population 2010 report, released today, focuses on the effect of conflict and protracted humanitarian emergencies on women and girls, and shows why the development community should be talking, and talking seriously, about conflict. Timed to coincide with the 10-year anniversary of the UN security council resolution on women, peace and security, the report tries to answer the question: "Are women in war-torn countries faring any better today than they were a decade ago?" The conclusions are mixed, and the report criticises the over-simplified but well-circulated images of women in conflict. Read: The Guardian
UNITED STATES: The New York Times reported on 20 October on the release of UNDESA’s World’s Women 2010 report, which marked World Statistics Day and the release of the State of World Population 2010 report by UNFPA. The article noted that “Although the 255-page report shows that women have made progress in areas like health and education — elementary school enrollment is now the same for boys and girls — they still lag over all. ‘Much more needs to be done, in particular the need to close the gender gap in public life and to prevent many forms of violence against women,’ said Jomo Kwame Sundaram, the assistant secretary general who released the report in New York. A second hefty report by UNFPA, released the same day, digs deep into areas where positive news is much harder to find: the harm visited on women. It suggested that helping women and children recover from the sexual violence and other trauma they suffer in war or natural disasters is a key to moving countries forward on all fronts. Women savagely raped during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina still suffer from limited access to counseling 15 years after the peace treaty, the report noted.” Read: The New York Times
VIET NAM: Voice of Viet Nam reported on 21 October that when women have access to the same rights and opportunities as men, they are more resilient to conflict and disaster and can lead reconstruction and renewal efforts in their societies, according to the State of World Population 2010 report, published by UNFPA. When women and girls suffer deep discrimination, they are more vulnerable to the worst effects of disaster or war, including rape, and less likely to contribute to peacebuilding, which threatens long-term recovery. The report’s release coincides with the tenth anniversary of the United Nations Security Council’s landmark resolution 1325, which aimed to put a stop to sexual violence against women and girls in armed conflict and to encourage greater participation by women in peacebuilding initiatives. Read in Vietnamese: VOV
WORLD POPULATION DAY COMMEMORATED ON 11 JULY
GLOBAL: UN News Centre reported on 11 July that with dozens of countries carrying out United Nations-supported national censuses this year, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon marked this year's World Population Day by stressing the importance of gathering information to bolster good governance, transparency and accountability. “Population data helps leaders and policy-makers to make informed decisions about policies and programmes to reduce poverty and hunger, and advance education, health and gender equality,” Mr. Ban said in his message for the day. Read: UN News Centre
Multiple media outlets published a statement by UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid on 10 July commemorating World Population Day on 11 July. Ms. Ahmed noted that in the past 30 years, UNFPA has helped develop the capacities of countries in collecting and analyzing data. Currently, a central aspect of UNFPA support is directed at the implementation of the 2010 round of censuses of population and housing, which are to be conducted between 2005-2014. Read: Inter Press News (Georgia), in Spanish: La Prensa (Nicaragua) and La Nacion (Paraguay) and in Portuguese: Agencia de Noticias da AIDS (Brazil)
IPS reported on 8 July that as the international community readies to commemorate World Population Day, the United Nations is reviewing the state of the world's women - and how they stack up against the risks of maternal mortality and the lack of universal access to reproductive health. A U.N. report on the status of the eight MDGs, including drastic reductions in hunger and poverty, says there has been slow progress in expanding the use of contraceptives by women primarily for two reasons: poverty and lack of education. “The use of contraception is lowest among the poorest women, and those with no education," it says. The study points out that "the unmet need for family planning remains moderate to high in most regions, particularly sub-Saharan Africa". At least one in four women aged 15 to 49, who are married or in a relationship, have expressed the desire to use contraceptives but do not have access to them. Still, progress has been recorded by many countries on maternal mortality. "We welcome the MDG reports indication of progress, with some nations significantly reducing maternal death ratios," said Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA. Read: IPS
ALGERIA: El Watan, La Tribune and El Moudjahid reported on events marking World Population Day in Algeria. Lindsay Edouard, UNFPA Representative in Algeria, spoke about the Fund's work, and the significance of the theme “Everyone Counts” in relation to UNFPA’s work, which seeks to reduce poverty and promote rights and health for all. Read in French: El Moudjahid and El Watan
AZERBAIJAN: Today.Az reported on 6 July and AzerTAJ reported on 5 July on commemorations of World Population Day in Azerbaijan, which included a roundtable on ensuring security of population co-organized by the Ombudsman Office of Azerbaijan and UNFPA. Read: Today.Az and AzerTAJ
BOLIVIA: Multiple media outlets reported on 11 July on commemorations of World Population Day, including the release of a new report, “Bolivia: Population, Land and Environment,” prepared by the Ministry of Planning and UNFPA. The report shows the importance of population dynamics, and its relationship to development at a time when, in Bolivia, young people make up the majority of the population. UNFPA Representative Jaime Nadal pointed out that the high proportion young people represents an opportunity, but policy makers must work to support young people to fulfill their potential. Read in Spanish: El Deber, Jornada, La Prensa, Prensa Latina
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA: Multiple media outlets reported and published UNFPA statements on 11 and 12 July marking World Population Day and preparations for the upcoming census. Read in Bosnian: Bitno, Hayat, 24Sata and Liljan
BRAZIL: Ascom reported on 11 July that UNFPA celebrated World Population Day by inviting all Brazilians to participate in the 2010 Census, to be conducted by the Brazilian Institute of Statistics (IBGE) beginning 1 August. According to Harold Robinson, UNFPA Representative in Brazil, participation in the census is key for ensuring a successful data collection that will provide inputs for good public policies formulation and monitoring. Read in Portuguese: Ascom
BURKINA FASO: Le Pays and Sidwaya reported on 8 and 12 July on the commemoration of World Population Day. The National council of the Population (CONAPO) in partnership with UNFPA/Burkina, organized a public conference on the topic: “The importance of the data for development.” The conference underscored the theme for the day, addressing the ways in which data can make a positive impact on policies and programmes that improve peoples’ lives. Read in French: Le Pays and Sidwaya
CAMBODIA: Multiple television and radio outlets and the newspaper, Rasmei Kampuchea reported on 11 July on the Prime Minister’s message marking World Population Day. In the message, the Prime Minister called on government ministries to build strong partnerships with UNFPA and other development partners to address women’s health issues, particularly maternal health.
CHINA: Xinhua reported on 10 and 11 July and Global Times reported on 9 July on observations of World Population Day in China and around the world. China announced that it would recruit 6.5 million census workers as the international community set out to observe a day devoted to raising awareness of population issues and the vital nature of census taking to global development and sound policy making. Discussing the theme, "Everyone Counts," UNFPA's Christian Delsol said, "This timely theme builds on the ongoing 2010 round of censuses." He continued, "Analysis of census data can provide the links between population phenomena and human rights, gender equality, reproductive health and maternal mortality." Bernard Coquelin, Representative of UNFPA in China, emphasized the importance of reliable data for development. Referring to the theme, he said that “it implies that not only is it essential to count the number of people who live in communities, cities and countries, but also that each person should be respected and valued by ensuring that their rights are protected and that they have equitable access to basic social services.” Read: Xinhua (11 July) and Xinhua (10 July) Global Times
CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE): Congo-site and Les Depeches de Brazzaville reported on 9 July on a workshop jointly organized by the Economy and Planning Ministry and UNFPA to validate the results and analysis of the census data, which were expected to be released as part of the commemoration of World Population Day. The workshop gathered demographers, statisticians and technical experts from government agencies and UN agencies and was facilitated by UNFPA. In his opening address, UNFPA Representative David Lawson congratulated the government on leading the census to completion, allowing for a full review of the progress toward the MDGs. He added, "The government contribution to the costs of the census has reached over 90 per cent, which is highly noteworthy and admirable in Africa, with the financial and technical support of UNFPA." Read in French: Congo-Site and Les Depeches de Brazzaville
EL SALVADOR: ElSalvador.com reported on 11 July on World Population Day, and the theme, “Everyone Counts,” and UNFPA’s emphasis on the significance of accurate census data for informing good government policies.
FIJI: Fiji Times and FijiVillage.com reported on 11 and 12 July on World Population Day celebrations, which highlighted the role that censuses and population data play in development and humanitarian response and recovery. "With quality data we can better track and make greater progress to achieve the MDGs and promote and protect the dignity and human rights of all people," UNFPA said. Fiji has the second largest concentration of elderly people in the Pacific according to UNFPA Pacific Representative Dirk Jena, who was speaking at the World Population Day celebrations. Read: Fiji Times and FijiVillage.com
GERMANY: ARD Tagesthemen reported on 11 July on World Population Day. The story featured comments by Anne Wittenberg, UNFPA External Relations Officer in Geneva. She said: "Being counted is being visible and important for claiming rights. In many parts of the world people are not counted/registered. But being registered with a birth-certificate for example tells my government that I will need a place in school later on for example." The piece is about the importance of being registered and counted in developing countries.
INDIA: Orissa Diary, the Central Chronicle and MedIndia reported on 10 and 11 July on events marking World Population Day in Orissa and Madhya Pradesh states and around the world. The Family Planning Association (FPA) in collaboration with UNFPA organized public awareness campaign about population education in trains and railway stations as well as bus stations in various cities in Madhya Pradesh. A team of youth volunteers distributed pamphlets and performed street plays for the benefit of passengers. The programme covered almost all the major trains passing through the Bhopal stations. Orissa Diary noted that “On the occasion of World Population Day-10, Government of Orissa chose to initiate measures to 'Repositioning Family Planning Programmes' in the state with focus on taking forward the Programmtic Interventions in a more comprehensive way.Sensing the need to strengthen Family Planning Programmes in Orissa, "State Family Welfare Cell' with Support from UNFPA (Global Developmental Partner for Family Planning Programme) has been established “ and reported that UNFPA State Head Hemant Dwivedi was among the officials who attended the event. Read: Orissa Diary and MedIndia
JORDAN: The Jordan Times reported on 9 July that data are considered the most powerful input than can ensure sustainable development, provided it is based on careful and in-depth analysis, said HRH Princess Basma. The Princess, who is UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador, made the remarks during a ceremony marking World Population Day, held this year under the theme, “Data for Development: Everyone Counts.” “This year’s theme is extremely important: we need to bear in mind that research needs to be people-oriented and take into consideration people’s needs, challenges and aspiration to ensure that they are not figures in the abstract,” the Princess highlighted. Read: The Jordan Times
KENYA: The Daily Nation reported on 11 July on World Population Day. As it prepared to launch a new effort to ensure completion of Kenya’s 2010 census, UNFPA marked World Population Day with a message by UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid called for urgency in completing censuses. “Censuses are central to UNFPA’s mandate and mission to support countries in using population data for policies and programmes to reduce poverty,” she said. Read: The Daily Nation
DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA: Xinhua (China) reported on 10 July that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea will strengthen its cooperation with UNFPA, an official said. Yang Song Il, a section chief of the Population Center, spoke on the occasion of the World Population Day, which falls on July 11, the official news agency KCNA reported. The 2007-2010 fourth cooperation programme between the UNFPA and the DPRK would be finished and the 2011-2013 fifth cooperation plan will be worked out this year. Mr. Yang said,"We will continue surveys in different fields to make contribution to the development of national economy and public health and further strengthen the cooperation with international organizations, including the UNFPA."
MALAWI: The Nation reported on 11 July that in a statement marking World Population Day, UNFPA Communications Officer Pilrani Semu-Banda said that if people and their characteristics are not counted, governments cannot plan. Malawi recently conducted a census, which reported that the country’s population has reached 13 million. UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid said in her statement marking the day that good data are critical for evidence-based policies and programmes for improving people’s lives. Read: The Nation
MOLDOVA: All Moldova reported on 11 July that in conjunction with a message from UNFPA marking World Population Day, UNFPA declared, “Moldova should take strong action in order to successfully conduct the census until 2014." The UNFPA Assistant Representative in Moldova, Boris Gilca, told a news conference that according to UN and EUROSTAT’s recommendations, the period between national censuses should not exceed 10 years. Since Moldova conducted its last census in October 2004, the next census in Moldova should be held no later than 2014, which is also the limit year in the current round of global censuses (2005-2014). Read: All Moldova
MOZAMBIQUE: Autarca, Radio Mozambique and Domingo reported on 9-11 July on commemorations of World Population Day in Mozambique. To mark the occasion, Patricia Guzman, UNFPA Representative in Mozambique, visited the province of Inhambane to promote World Population Day. During her visit, Ms. Guzman met with community members and partners in the city of Inhambane and in the districts of Maxixe and Morrumbone as well as peer activists from the UNFPA-supported organization Geração Biz and midwives. She said that the theme aims at raising awareness about the importance of using reliable data to plan development interventions.
MYANMAR: People’s Daily (China) reported on 11 July that Myanmar is striving for the realization of the MDGs, calling on its people to work together with the government. With the theme "Everyone Counts," Myanmar observed the World Population Day, reflecting its active participation in realizing the UN aims and objectives as a member of the global family. Read: Xinhua
NEPAL: NTT reported on 11 July that various programmes such as rallies, discussions and special health service camps were organized to mark the World Population Day, with its stated slogan “Everyone Counts.” Reliable information is essential for governments to formulate policies that would meet people’s needs and improve their lives, according to Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA. “’Everyone counts,’ the theme of this year’s Day, highlights the compelling stories that numbers tell us about people,” said Ms. Obaid. “On this World Population Day,” she added, UNFPA asserts the right of everyone to be counted, especially women, girls, the poor and marginalized.” Read: NTT
NIGERIA: The Daily Trust and ThisDay reported on 8 July on celebrations of World Population Day in Nigeria. ThisDay noted that the National Population Commission and UNFPA said they are about to commence activities leading to the implementation of the 2010 round of population and housing censuses in the country. Read: ThisDay
PAKISTAN: The News International reported on 7 and 10 July that World Population Day would be commemorated on 11 July with the theme "Everyone Counts" with a special focus on women and children. The theme of the day has been decided considering the fact that counting everyone is an integral part of ensuring everyone's equal rights. This year, World Population Day highlights the importance of data for development. The focus is on the 2010 round the population and housing census, data analysis for development and UNFPA's lead role in population and development. Read: The News International (10 July) and The News International (7 July)
PANAMA: La Prensa reported on 11 July on World Population Day commemorations in Panama and around the world, including a statement by UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid to mark the day. Read in Spanish: La Prensa
PARAGUAY: Multiple media outlets reported 9-11 July on the commemoration of World Population Day around the world and in Paraguay, as well as the priorities for the upcoming census. In addition to reporting on UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid’s statement marking the day, the articles addressed issues related to the upcoming census in Paraguay. Among the issues discussed was the recognition that the last population count had what were described as serious deficiencies in measuring the actual number of people with disabilities. The next one, scheduled for 2012 offers an opportunity to improve measurement. According to Aldo Natalizia of UNFPA, there is no more relevant source of information than the census, because it guides decisions around a country’s policy-making and implementation. Read in Spanish: La Nacion, ABC, IP Paraguay, PPN, Ultima Hora
PHILIPPINES: The Manila Bulletin reported on 11 July and published an editorial on 10 July on World Population Day celebrations. The Bulletin wrote, “offices of UNFPA and the organizations they work with mark the day with celebrations of their programmes, poster and essay contests, sports events, concerts, and other activities that highlight population issues and efforts to resolve them.” Read: The Manila Bulletin (11 July) and The Manila Bulletin (10 July)
SUDAN: Sudan Vision Daily reported and Al Safa reported on 11 July on World Population Day. This year, some 60 countries are collecting data and counting people as part of the 2010 census process. A census is the only statistical operation that covers the whole population and all areas of a country. UNFPA and other partners are supporting this massive effort in many parts of the world. The theme of this year’s World Population Day is “Everyone Counts.” To be counted is to become visible. This is especially important for women and young people. Read: Sudan Vision Daily
SWAZILAND: The Times of Swaziland reported on 7 July that this year’s World Population Day was to be commemorated 11 July. Government Press Secretary Macanjana Motsa said Swaziland routinely joins the global community in commemorating World Population Day on July 11 each year. The celebration is coordinated by the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development through the National Population Unit with the support of UNFPA. This is also done in collaboration with regional authorities and key stakeholders, including the Central Statistics Office who are co-opted on the basis of the theme for that particular year. "The theme that has been selected by the UNFPA headquarters for this year is ‘Everyone Counts’ with a focus on the 2010 round of the population census," said Ms. Motsa. Read: The Times of Swaziland
TAJIKISTAN: Asia Plus and Khovar reported on 7-10 July on commemorations of World Population Day in Tajikistan. UNFPA and State Statistical Agency representatives made presentations related to the UNFPA CO mandate in Tajikistan and forthcoming census to be conducted in Tajikistan from 21-30 September, 2010. According to UNFPA Representative Michael Jones, the theme for WPD 2010 is “Everyone Counts” because of the focus on the 2010 round of census and UNFPA’s leading role in population and development.
TURKEY: Today’s Zaman reported on 11 July on the commemoration of World Population Day. The article noted, “This day was established by the UN Population Fund in order to raise awareness of how international family planning can help slow population growth and save the lives of women and children. Every year World Population Day has its own specific theme, and this year’s theme is 'Everyone Counts,' highlighting the importance of reliable demographic data in development.” Read: Today’s Zaman
UGANDA: The New Vision published an op-ed on 10 July by UNFPA Representative Janet Jackson and Population Secretariat acting Director Charles Ziarema to mark World Population Day. They wrote, “In Uganda, the UNFPA and the Population Secretariat have been in partnership since 1988, working together with the Government and civil society so that everyone born into the world has a dignified place in the world and advancing the right of individuals to determine freely and responsibly the number and timing of their children. For this to happen, the needs of the population have to be planned and managed from the household and national levels, using robust data.” Read: The New Vision
The Monitor reported on 9 July that population experts have called for more investment in family planning services which they say will cut unwanted pregnancies and reduce maternal deaths. Speaking in Nebbi District ahead of World Population Day, UNFPA Representative Janet Jackson said investing in family planning services can help mothers delay or space their births. "We should not be looking too much into the numbers - whether they are too many or too few people but the people behind these statistics," Ms. Jackson said. Read: The Monitor
UNITED STATES: CNN Radio reported on 11 July on World Population Day, as UNFPA spokesman Ralph Hakkert explained why Americans should be concerned census data collected around the world. Listen: CNN Radio
URUGUAY: El Pais reported on 11 July on World Population Day, and the theme “Everyone Counts.” Alfonso Farnós of UNFPA was one of several demographers interviewed on the day’s theme and its significance for Uruguay. Mr. Farnos said that an accurate census can save lives and improve quality of life for current and future generations. The article noted that in Uruguay, the demographic situation is characterized by an increase of elderly population, a low fertility rate and high numbers of young people migrating abroad. The next census will be held in 2011. This year, the census will address new issues, such us housing, disability, use of communication and information technology and ethnic origin. Read in Spanish: El Pais and Brecha
VENEZUELA: Reporte 360 and El Informador reported on 11 July that with the slogan “Everyone Counts,” UNFPA reiterated its commitment to cooperate y in the generation of data on population dynamics for the formulation of policies and programmes that reduce poverty and ensure that each pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, every young person is free of HIV / AIDS and every girl and woman is treated with dignity respect. Read in Spanish: Reporte 360 and El Informador
VIET NAM: Multiple media outlets reported on 9 and 10 July that a meeting to commemorate the World Population Day 2010 was organized by Ministry of Health, Ha Noi Peoples’ Committee and the United Nations in Viet Nam. At the celebration, UNFPA Deputy Representative Urmila Singh called for concerted efforts from the government, donors, development agencies and civil society organizations to protect the gains achieved so far and continue to push forward on the population issues in the future. ”Our progress to achieve the ICPD Programme of Action and the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 must remain a priority. We must join forces to make sure that individual human beings are at the very heart of the development process, to ensure universal access to reproductive health and to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment,” said Ms. Singh. Read in English: Vietnam News Agency VOV News, Viet Nam Plus, Viet Nam News, Women's Views on News and in Vietnamese: Family and Society, VOV News, Health Communication and Education, DT News, Communist Party Online, Peoples' Representative, Peoples' Police, Nan Dan
Multiple media outlets reported on 9 July on an interview with Urmila Singh, UNFPA Deputy Representative, on the occasion of the World Population Day 2010. In the area of reproductive health and family planning, Viet Nam has made substantial progress in expanding reproductive health services, integrating family planning into pre and post-natal care and in HIV prevention, according to the UNFPA Deputy Representative. However, certain population groups, such as young people, migrants and ethnic minorities, have limited access to sexual and reproductive health information and services, including family planning services. In addition, the unusually rapid increase in Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) is a major challenge for Viet Nam. Though the government of Viet Nam has clearly regulated that sex determination of a foetus and abortion for sex selection are illegal, efforts need to be dedicated towards changing couples’ traditional preference for male children, as well as towards empowering women’s position in the family and society as a whole. Read in Vietnamese: Family and Society 2, Peoples' Representative
YEMEN: Multiple media outlets reported on 12 July that Sana'a governorate organized a celebration on the occasion of World Population Day under the theme of “Everyone Counts” in collaboration with the National Population Council and UNFPA. UNFPA’s statement on the occasion was delivered by UNFPA Assistant Representative Himyar Abdulmoghni, and addressed the importance of data for planning and making informed decisions. Data is critical to guide plans, policies and programmes to meet people’s needs and improve their lives, the UNFPA statement said. Only by considering the needs of all women and men, girls and boys, can we achieve the Millennium Development Goals in Yemen, UNFPA statement concluded. Read in Arabic: Yemen TV, Alwahdah, Althawra, 14October, Saba’a, and Al Syasiah
ZIMBABWE: The Standard reported on 11 July on the commemoration of World Population Day and support from UNFPA and other international agencies for the upcoming census, which will be conducted by Zimbabwe’s statistics agency, ZimStat.
CONTINUING COVERAGE ON 2010 WOMEN DELIVER CONFERENCE
GLOBAL: IRIN reported on 13 June that the new United Nations Joint Action Plan for Women's and Children's Health calls on countries to push the health of women and girls to the front of the queue and create an overarching framework for integrated health systems. A working draft of the plan was presented by Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA, at Women Deliver, a global conference in Washington, US, which brought together 3,500 women health professionals and leaders from 150 countries. Read: IRIN
CAMBODIA: Phnom Penh Post reported on 11 June that Women’s Affairs Minister Ing Kantha Phavi has called on world leaders to renew and increase efforts to achieve a global goal to reduce maternal mortality rates, saying the issue should be a focus of the G-8 and G-20 summits later this month. Alice Levisay, Cambodia’s country coordinator for UNFPA, who represented her office at the conference, said in an email to the Post that Cambodia’s maternal mortality rate of 461 per 100,000 live births was the third-highest among countries in the Asia and Pacific region. “Many LDCs [least-developed countries] face the same issues, but Cambodia has particular constraints with infrastructure and human resources given its history,” she said. Read: Phnom Penh Post
CANADA: The Globe and Mail published an editorial on 8 June calling on Prime Minister Stephen Harper to take advantage of the opportunity presented by its planned G8 initiative to become a leader in the effort to improve maternal health around the world. The editorial argued that Mr. Harper should “show real leadership by championing the United Nations Population Fund’s campaign to end fistula – and divert attention away from critics who have spoken out against his controversial decision not to fund abortion programs.” Read: The Globe and Mail
DENMARK: Denmark National Television featured an interview on 7 June with the Crown Princess, a UNFPA patron, on Women Deliver and UNFPA's campaign to eradicate fistula. Watch in Danish: Denmark National Television
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Hoy Digital reported on 8 June on the Women Deliver conference, where Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA, underscored the importance of investing in women's and girls’ health, and the economic and social benefits for families, communities and nations when women and girls are healthy. Read in Spanish: Hoy Digital
GHANA: GNA reported on 8 June on two commitments announced at the 2010 Women Deliver conference. Melinda Gates announced that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will contribute $1.5 billion to efforts to improve maternal and child health over the next five years. Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA, commended Melinda Gates for the gesture and her commitment to ensure that women and children throughout the world enjoyed the best kind of health. In addition, as UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon presented the UN Joint Action Plan on Maternal and Child Health, Ms. Obaid said maternal and newborn mortality alone caused a global loss of 15 billion dollars annually and investing in children’s health would create the foundation for a more productive future workforce. She urged world leaders to invest in women’s reproductive health and rights since it was not only the right thing to do but also smart economics. Read: GNA and GNA
GERMANY: Deutsche Welle reported on 9-10 June on the Women Deliver conference and its major themes. In an interview published 10 June, Former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, discussed the human rights dimensions of maternal health and interventions to improve maternal health, noting that "Thoraya Obaid, [the executive director of the UNFPA, says our starting point, our central issue, is human rights of girls and women." Read: Deutsche Welle and in German: Deutsche Welle
GUATEMALA: Cerigua reported on 12 June that health experts, including UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, launched an international call for action during the Women Deliver conference to increase the number of midwives in the world’s poorest countries. Read in Spanish: Cerigua
MONGOLIA: Montsame reported on 9 June that a delegation from Mongolia attended the 2010 Women Deliver conference. Dr. J.Tsolmon, the Vice Minister of Health, one of the delegates from Mongolia, said, “The global Women Deliver conference will be crucial in keeping maternal and reproductive health on the agenda and Mongolia's participation shows that the issue is one of our priorities. With only 5 years to go until 2015 we need to make the right choices for improving maternal and reproductive health.”
MOZAMBIQUE: Weekly Domingo reported on 13 June that global health leaders, meeting at the Women Deliver Conference in Washinghton, DC, called the G-8 and G-20 to increase investment to midwifery services in the developing world. UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, said, “The world needs more midwives now than ever. Countries need to make midwifery a priority in plans and budgets. No woman should die giving life and we need to move from speech lines to budget lines.”
NIGERIA: The Guardian and The Vanguard reported on 8 June on the 2010 Women Deliver conference. Nigeria’s First Lady, Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan, was among the First Ladies and 3,000 representatives from an estimated 140 countries attending the Women Deliver 2010 conference. Read: The Vanguard
NIGERIA: The Daily Champion reported on 7 June on the second Women Deliver conference, held 7-9 June in Washington, DC. The article noted that the Guttmacher Institute and UNFPA estimate that ensuring access to modern contraception could prevent up to a third of maternal deaths. Read: Daily Champion
PHILIPPINES: The Philippine Inquirer published a column by Rina Jimenez David on 9 June reporting on the 2010 Women Deliver conference, and noting that UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid was among the global health leaders attending the conference. Read: Philippine Inquirer
UNITED STATES/NEPAL: Oneworld.net reported on 7 June that Samita Pradhan, director of the Women's Reproductive Rights Program, (WRRP), was set to "sound the alarm" on uterine prolapse at a panel discussion on the opening day of the 2010 Women Deliver Conference. According to a 2007 study by UNFPA, over 600,000 Nepali women - 10% of all women of reproductive age - are affected. Read: Oneworld.net
UNITED STATES: Politics Daily reported on 10 June on the Women Deliver conference. The article noted that, “According to the U.N. Population Fund, 20 million women have unsafe abortions each year. Of that number, 68,000 die annually from complications. Twenty times that number will have life-complicating consequences. Thirteen percent of maternal deaths are due to unsafe abortion. And 90 percent of abortion-related deaths and consequences could be avoided if women had greater access to contraception and education on contraception.” Read: Politics Daily
UNITED STATES: Ms. Magazine (U.S.) published a three-part series on maternal health in its Spring 2010 issue. It noted that “in Afghanistan, which has a large rural population and where the health infrastructure was destroyed by decades of war, UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is working with the Ministry of Health to train midwives and other health personnel who live in rural communities to provide essential obstetric services.” Read: Ms. Magazine
UNITED STATES: NPR reported on 8 June on Women Deliver, in a story that included remarks by Frederica Hanson of UNFPA, who remarked on women's deaths from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, "When these women die, we don't get to know about it. We just bury them silently." Read: NPR
UNITED STATES: Huffington Post published a blog by Rahim Kanani on 6 June on the 2010 Women Deliver conference. Mr. Kanani noted that UNFPA estimates that girls who give birth between the ages of 10 and 14 are five times more likely to die in pregnancy or childbirth than women aged 20 to 24. Girls 15 to 19 are twice as likely to die. Read: Huffington Post
ZIMBABWE: The Standard reported on 12 June that the Zimbabwe Confederation of Midwives presented a petition for increased investment in midwives. Zimbabwe has a maternal mortality ratio of 725 per 100 000 live births, the highest in the region. This translates to about 2500 women dying each year or 8 deaths a day, according to UNFPA. The petition by the ZCM came at a time when world health leaders are meeting in Washington DC, USA at the Women Deliver Conference also called for the increase in the number of midwives in the developing world to reduce maternal deaths. UNFPA executive director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid said, "The world needs midwives now more than ever. Countries need to make midwifery a priority in plans and budgets. No woman should die giving life and we need to move from speech lines to budget lines." Read: The Standard