UNITED KINGDOM: UNFPA’s Women’s Space Featured in Paper’s Photo Gallery
The Guardian on 22 April published a photo gallery of Jordan's Zaatari refugee camp which houses more than 100,000 Syrians who have fled the civil war. 3,000 of those registered are pregnant. The gallery included a photo of a UNFPA-run women's space which offers counselling and activities to support women deal with issues affecting them in the camps such as gender-based violence. Read in English: The Guardian
UNITED KINGDOM: Global Health Is Key
The Lancet on 5 April published a piece on global health. One of the authors was UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin. “A proliferation of complex challenges to development, such as political conflict, economic austerity, and environmental degradation, all demand attention, but should not deflect from recognising that good health is central to advancing global prosperity. Development is about improving people's lives. A population cannot progress if it is burdened with ill-health. Good health is the foundation on which communities and nations can and do flourish. A healthy, educated population is one of the major engines of development-and one of its most universally valued outcomes. Whatever framework for development is agreed upon for the post-2015 era, people must be at the centre…Sustainable development is fundamentally a question of people's opportunity to influence their future, claim their rights, and voice their concerns. This is all the easier if a population is in good health. The post-2015 development agenda must recognise this and give due prominence to advancing global health. People are at the centre of development, but better still, let's make that healthy people.”
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
UNITED KINGDOM: Increasing Availability of Family Planning Would Yield Huge Benefits
The Financial Times on 1 February published a piece on the role of family planning in population development. The author highlighted UNFPA's 2012 State of the World Population report as one of a series keeping the issue alive on the political landscape. Dr. Osotimehin is quoted in the article emphasizing the importance of family planning, "The global human community has spoken. Family planning is central to nearly every aspect of development. Hundreds of millions of women, men and young people are counting on us to support their rights. We must not let them down.” Read in English: Financial Times
UNITED KINGDOM: India to Expect Population ‘Time Bomb’
The Daily Telegraph on 21 November reported that India is facing a population time bomb. UNFPA researchers concluded that the number of over-60s would increase from 100 million today to more than 300 million within 40 years and warned the government to prepare for the additional strain this would put on families and health and welfare services.
UNITED KINGDOM: Risky Practices Threaten to Derail AIDS Progress
The Guardian on 20 November reported “risky sexual behaviour is continuing around the globe and even increasing in some countries, threatening to derail efforts to stop or even slow transmission of the HIV virus and bring the AIDS epidemic to an end, according to an authoritative UN [UNAIDS] report.” According to the UNFPA, “only nine donor-provided male condoms were available for every man aged 15-49 years in sub-Saharan Africa in 2011, and one female condom for every 10 women aged 15-49 years.”
UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND: Princess Mary Lifts Spirit During Visit to Mozambique
Hello! Magazine featured on 14 November an article about Crown Princess Mary's visit to Mozambique and her work to promote women’s rights as patron of UNFPA. Amongst others, the magazine compared the trip to Princess Diana’s iconic visit to the Red Cross centre in Luanda. Read more in English: Hello! Magazine
GLOBAL: COVERAGE ON RELEASE OF AGEING REPORT
ARMENIA: news.am on 1 October reported that Armenia is already an aging country in line with international rankings according to United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Armenia Assistant Representative Garik Hayrapetyan.
He added that the data on Armenia is very concerning, as the number of Armenia’s senior citizens is expected to virtually double by 2050, reaching 885,000 from today’s 469,000. The average age will rise to 49.4, instead of today’s 32.6, and all this could place upon the state’s shoulders a huge responsibility in terms of taking care of the pensioners. Read in English: news.am
BOLIVIA: Multiple media outlets on 1 October reported that national media shared the official UNFPA press release on the International Day of Older Persons. UNFPA and HelpAge launched a landmark report entitled "Ageing in the 21st Century: A Celebration and A Challenge." Bolivian media highlight that in 2050 our planet will have more over 60 years old persons than under 15 years old. Read in Spanish: ERBOL, ERBOL and El Deber
FRANCE: Agence France Presse on 1 October reported that a study by UNFPA and HelpAge International urged governments to work on strategies for coping with an ageing population. "The report, which was released to coincide with International Day of Older Persons, says that of the seven billion people who live on the planet, 893 million or 12.8 percent are elderly -- older than 60. In just one decade, the elderly population will swell by 200 million taking it well beyond one billion people, and potentially putting a greater strain on welfare and medical systems around the world, the report said." Read in English: Agence France Presse
JORDAN: Multiple media outlets on 1 October reported that Jordan was one of the first countries to develop a national strategy for the elderly. The National Council for Family Affairs coordinated the preparation of this strategy in 2008, in collaboration with several national institutions and civil society organizations and is currently updating the strategy to meet the developments and the needs of this important group.
On the occasion of the International Day of Older People, UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund in Jordan is working with their partners, especially the Higher Population Council, the Department of Statistics and the National Council for Family Affairs, to strengthen the capacity of service providers and raise awareness and advocate for the need for planning and preparation for the “Demographic Window Opportunity,” which requires concerted efforts and capabilities to meet the challenges faced by the elderly, and provide them with all the services they required. UNFPA Jordan Assistant Representative, Mrs. Muna Idris, said "that UNFPA Jordan looks forward to further cooperation with all institutions working to ensure the rights and dignity of older people, and assured that UNFPA Jordan will work with all national institutions to increase the focus on different issues of the elderly and to enhance all services provided to them, especially with the expected increase in the percentage of elderly population in the coming years. "
Also, on this occasion, UNFPA and HelpAge International launched a new report today “Ageing in the Twenty-first Century: A Celebration and a Challenge,” in which it was stated that the number of older persons is growing faster than any other age group. Speaking at the report’s launch, UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, said, “People everywhere must age with dignity and security, enjoying life through the full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.” Read in Arabic: Petra, Alrai, Rum Online, Cleopatra News
KAZAKHSTAN: regnum.ru on 1 October reported on ageing in Kazakhstan and the release of the Ageing in the 21st Century report. "According to the data of UNFPA and HelpAge International, the number of older persons is growing faster than any other demographic." Read in Russian: regnum.ru
KYRGYZSTAN: CA News on 1 October reported that UNFPA, in collaboration with HelpAge International prepared a global report detaining the issues of population ageing. Read in Russian: CA News
PARAGUAY: Diario La Nación reported on 30 September that UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, and HelpAge International launched the global report "Ageing in the 21st Century: A Celebration and a Challenge" on 1 October, the International Day of Older Persons. According to the report, in 2050, for the first time in the history of mankind, there will be more people over 60 than under 15. Almost 80 percent of these elderly people live in countries with emerging and developing economies. Read in Spanish: La Nación.
UNITED KINGDOM: The Guardian on 1 October reported that, "The global population will age so rapidly in the next 30 years that there will be more pensioners than children by 2050, when there will be 2 billion people aged 60 or over. A UN report published today also predicts the number of people over 80 will almost quadruple to 400 million by 2050. By the same year, there will be 3 million centenarians worldwide, compared to 316,000 today."
UNITED STATES: Multiple media outlets reported on the release of the ageing report by UNPFA and HelpAge International. Read in English: The Associated Press
UZBEKISTAN: gazeta.uz on 1 October detailed the main points of the Ageing in the 21st Century report and focused on the support provisions for older persons from the government of Uzbekistan. Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin is quoted in the article, "People everywhere must age with dignity and security, enjoying life through the full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms." Read in Russian: gazeta.uz
GLOBAL: COVERAGE ON RELEASE OF STATE OF WORLD POPULATION 2011 REPORT
ARGENTINA: Multiple media outlets reported on 26, 27 and 28 October on the State of World Population 2011. Some of them analyzed the trends and population dynamics that define a world of 7 billion people. Most of the articles highlighted Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin’s statements in which he remarked that the milestone today reminds us that we must act immediately, because we also are 7 billion of opportunities. Read in Spanish: Diario Clarín, La Nación; Página 12; TELAM Noticias; La Capital de Rosario; El Ciudadano Santa Fe; La Opinion de Santa Fe; La Voz de Córdoba; La Gaceta de Tucumán; La Nueva Rioja; Misiones4.com; Los Andes de Mendoza; Rio Negro.com.ar; Diario Jornada de Trelew; Punto Aparte San Luis; La Nueva Provincia Bs As; TERRA Argentina; Sitio Andino; El país 24; Urgente24; TELAM Audiovisual
Multiple radio programs from 27 to 31 October discussed the State of World Population 2011 report including Radio Ciudad AM 1110, Radio Mitre AM 790, Radio America AM 1190 and Radio Belgrano AM 950.
AUSTRALIA: Radio Australia on 26 October interviewed Dirk Jenna, the Director of the United Nation's Population Funds' Pacific Sub-Regional Office in Fiji on the implications of the 7 billion milestones on migration as an important aspect of economic development for Pacific Island Countries and how urban drift in the Pacific places a strain on services. Read/Listen in English: Radio Australia
BANGLADESH: Multiple media outlets including The New Today, The Bangladesh Today and The Daily Star on 27 October reported on the release of the State of World Population report which estimates the country's population at 150.5 million.
BOLIVIA: Multiple media outlets and web information services reported on the launching of UNFPA’s SWOP in Bolivia. Media highlighted subjects such as youth, life expectancy, gender equality and environmental and economic impacts. Read in Spanish: Correo del Sur, El Cambio, El Deber, Erbol, Erbol, Erbol, La Patria, La Prensa, La Razón, La Razón, Los Tiempos
BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA: Multiple media outlets reported on 26 and 27 October about the official launch of the State of World Population 2011 report. The stories focused on the current state of the world’s population and future actions we need to take to create a better future for all. Media placed focus on youth by quoting Dr. Osotimehin “Young people hold the key to the future, with the potential to transform the global political landscape and to propel economies through their creativity and capacities for innovation.” In addition to print media, Al-Jazeera Balkans and TV Sarajevo interviewed Mr. Faris Hadrovic, UNFPA assistant representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he further explained the meaning of the SWOP2011 report and the situation in the world and Bosnia and Herzegovina. He warned that the fertility rate for Bosnia and Herzegovina presents a big problem for the country’s future. Read in Bosnian: Sarajevo-x.com, RadioSarajevo.ba
BRAZIL: Diário de S.Paulo reported on 29 October that the birth of the seven billionth person will not be an impediment to achieving a better quality of life on the planet, if some actions are taken, such as the empowerment of women, according to the State of World Population 2011 report. Published by the United Nations Population Fund, the report states that women are a key asset to avoiding a population explosion in the coming years. Better educated women can have a crucial role in family planning, and, because they live longer, they will also play a fundamental role on caring for the elderly, whose numbers have been increasing worldwide. UNFPA Assistant Representative in Brazil Tais Santos is quoted as saying that population ageing is a new subject in Brazil, where a bill to protect elderly rights has recently passed in Congress, but “there is still much to do.” Read in Portuguese: Diário de S.Paulo
Correio Braziliense, Diário de Natal and several other media outlets reported on 27 October onwards that on 31 October, possibly somewhere in India, a very symbolic citizen will be born. He or she will probably not know, but will carry the title of Earth’s inhabitant number 7 billion. In a world increasingly crowded, it is necessary to create a more sustainable pattern of development, states the State of World Population 2011 Report: People and possibilities in a world with 7 billion, released yesterday by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The UNFPA Representative in Brazil, Harold Robinson, is quoted saying that "the 7 billion milestone appears as a double challenge as it presents numerous opportunities for development, but can also deepen inequalities that currently exist between countries". Read in Portuguese: Correio Braziliense, Diário de Natal, Ariquemes Online, Circuito Mato Grosso
O Estado de S.Paulo and several outlets reported on 27 October that the population of 7 billion brings 'formidable challenges' to the world in general and Brazil in particular such as reducing inequality, increasing access to education and health and ensuring sustainable growth; life conditions improved, but there are still large disparities between regions and countries, and ethnic and gender discrimination. These are the main findings of the report People and Possibilities in a World of 7 billion, released yesterday by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). According to the report, the world population is still increasing at an accelerating rate, but the current trend is the growth rate to reduce. The report also shows that the world population has never been so young and so old at the same time. Out of the 7 billion people, 43% (3.01 billion) are under 25. Meanwhile, people who are over 60 years, who were 384 million in 1990, now are 893 million and are expected to reach 2.4 billion by 2050. Read in Portuguese: O Estado de S.Paulo, Maranhao em Alerta, SIM News, R7, Nova FM 103 Radio Online
Folha de S.Paulo and several outlets reported on 27 October that five days before the world population reaches 7 billion, the United Nations Population Fund released a report demanding greater efforts by governments to ensure populations in developing countries the right to family planning. "When the right of access to family planning is respected, people, free from any coercion from governments, naturally evolve to stable fertility rates on their own choices, resulting in more affluent societies," said Harold Robinson, UNFPA Representative in Brazil, during the launching of the State of World Population 2011 at the Federal University of Minas Gerais. Read in Portuguese: Folha S.Paulo, Observatorio de Genero
Multiple media outlets reported on 26 October that UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund launched the State of World Population 2011 report, entitled “People and possibilities in a world of 7 billion.” UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin and UNFPA Representative Harold Robinson are quoted in several pieces. Read in Portuguese: Ecoagencia, Educa, O Globo, G1, Interativa FM Radio Online, Extra, Extra, BOL, A Verdade, RD Noticias and Jornal da Cidade.Net
CAMBODIA: Voice of Democracy (VOD) Radio reported on 27 October that a population of 7 billion would bring more challenges. The UNFPA in Cambodia warned that developing countries like Cambodia are facing greater challenges such as employment, environment, and health issues as the world hits 7 billion on 31 October. UNFPA Representative in Cambodia Derveeuw Marc noted at the launch of the SWoP report yesterday that population growth is high in poor or developing countries. He warned that this growth has implications on the environment such as climate change, lack of health care, if they are poor, and the movement of unskilled migrants seeking employment.
Bayon and Apsara Televisions reported on 27 October that H.E. Mrs. Men Sam An, Deputy Prime Minister attended the launch of the State of World Population Report 2011 of the United Nations Population Fund under the theme “The world at 7 billion.” The report highlights a challenge facing the world now and ahead as the population reaches 7 billion in 5 days. Dr. Derveeuw Marc, UNFPA representative in Cambodia noted that the report looks at implications of population growth such as poverty, access to health services, environment, young people and ageing issues.” He added that this report alerts and calls for actions from everyone to address population issues.
CAMEROON: Cameroon Tribune reported on 27 October that the 2011 State of the World Population report was launched by UNFPA and the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Regional Development (MINEPAT) with emphasis on the achievements, setbacks and paradoxes of a population of seven billion people. While presenting the report, the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System Michel Balima said that "we have to ensure equitable distribution of the resources available amongst all sectors in the society". Read in English: Cameroon Tribune
COLOMBIA: El Tiempo, Semana, El Colombiano and El Universal reported the launch of the State of World Population in London on 26 October. All media published the statements of UNFPA Executive Director, Babatunde Osotimehin, and revealed the “achievements and challenges” this new milestone represents for humanity. Read in Spanish: El Tiempo, El Tiempo, Semana, Semana, El Colombiano and El Universal
El Tiempo reported on 29 October, the information shared by Tania Patriota, UNFPA Representative in Colombia, on the launch of State of World Population, held 28 October at Externado University. “That we can or can´t live together on a healthy planet depends on decisions we make today. With a growing population, we need to be supportive”. Read in Spanish: El Tiempo
CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE): DRTV, Top TV, Canal Benedictions, Radio-Congo, and Congo-site reported on 27 October on UNFPA’s SWOP launch in Brazzaville by UNFPA Representative David Lawson, in the presence of State Economy Minister Pierre Moussa, as well as the Youth Minister, Health Minister, Small and Middle Enterprises Minister, Vice Economy Minister, parliamentarians, ambassadors, UN agency heads, civil society leaders and the media in the context of the 7 billion people on earth. Read in French: Congo-site Read in French: Les Depeches de Brazzaville
CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE): Congo-site reported on 27 October on a statement by UNFPA in its 2011 State of the World Population report inviting UN Member States to invest more in youth, in the context of a world at seven billion people, as youth represent the largest segment of the world population and will ensure the world's future economic and social progress. Read in French: Congo-site
CUBA: CubaAhora and Trabajadores reported between 24 and 30 October on the 7 billion milestone and the importance of the State of World Population 2011, detailing some of the most important statistics. Read in Spanish: CubaAhora, Trabajadores and Trabajadores
EGYPT: The Daily News Egypt reported on 26 October on the launch of UNFPA's SWOP report at the Arab League. The piece highlighted that the report found that additional investments in youth and reinforcing equality between the sexes is essential to the world's future. Read in English: Daily News Egypt
ETHIOPIA: Multiple media outlets from 26 October on covered the release of the State of World Population 2011 report including the Ethiopian Radio and Television Agency, Fana Broadcasting Corporate, Voice of America, The Sub-Saharan Informer, Capital, Addis Admas, and The Daily Monitor. Read in English: AFRO 15.3 FM, The Ethiopian News Agency, and Walta Info
FIJI: Science Media Centre on 28 October reported the launch of the State of World Population 2011: People and Possibilities in a World of 7 billion. Dirk Jena, the Fiji-based Pacific director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) was in New Zealand to address the cross-party New Zealand Parliamentarians’ Group on Population and Development as well as Government agencies. Read in English: Science Media Centre
GABON: Gabon-Matin and l'Union reported on 27 October on the launch of UNFPA’s 2011 State of the World Population report in the rural city of Oyem, by UNDP/UNFPA Representative Nadir Hadj Hammou with local authorities. The event underlined the need for the world at 7 billion to commit to protecting the planet Earth for future generations. The UNDP/UNFPA Representative said “We must invest in youth, cities and agriculture to foster future economic growth." The event ended with a voluntary HIV testing and counselling.
GEORGIA: Georgia Today and Interpressnews reported on 26 October that UNFPA Georgia CO launched the State of World Population 2011 report “People and Possibilities in the World of 7 Billion.” Through personal stories, this report sheds light on the real-life challenges we face in our world of 7 billion. The report explores some of the challenges and opportunities from the perspective of individuals and describes the obstacles they confront— and overcome—in trying to build better lives for themselves, their families, communities and nations. Read in English: Georgia Today and InterPressNews
GUATEMALA: CERIGUA on 28 October reported that humanity reproduced at a rate of 9,000,513 people per minute worldwide. Though the fertility rate has declined in recent years, the main challenges are in the redistribution of wealth, equal access to natural resources and increased participation of women and youth in all areas, according to the SWOP report prepared by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Read in Spanish: CERIGUA
CERIGUA on 28 October reported that the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has given awards to 10 leaders nationwide who have made significant contributions for the people, including former indigenous Mayor Julajuj Dominga Vasquez, current regional delegate of Defence of Indigenous Women (DEMI), at the National Palace of Culture, during the launch of the State of World Population 2011 report. Read in Spanish: CERIGUA
CERIGUA on 27 October quoted Leonor Calderón, representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Guatemala, who said that it is necessary to rethink new ways of producing and distributing wealth in the world. Read in Spanish: CERIGUA
Unidas on 27 October reported on the release of a report by the United Nations Population Fund. UNFPA Rep. Leonor Calderón called on public officials to reflect on the excessive increase in population and inequality worldwide, and urged leaders to take immediate action on the issue. Listen in Spanish: Emisoras Unidas
El Periódico on 27 October reported on the release of the international report "State of World Population" and emphasized the great challenges that await Guatemala in this century. "How we have such large numbers? How many people can sustain our Earth? These are important questions, but perhaps not the right ones” according to the State of World Population 2011, which was presented yesterday. Read in Spanish: El Periódico
Reportaje De on 27 October reported that as part of a global launch, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) presented the report State of World Population 2011. Read in Spanish: Reportaje De
CINU on 26 October reported that the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has submitted the report of the State of World Population 2011, under the title "7 billion people, your world, your possibilities," referring to the overall population figure that will be reached on 31 October. Read in Spanish: CINU
INDONESIA: World Population at Seven Billion Campaign
Kompas.com reported on 30 October a story about youth and the World at 7 Billion Campaign held by UNFPA Indonesia. The campaign aimed to raise awareness amongst the wider public, especially young people, about the opportunities, challenges and action needed as the world population reaches 7 billion at the end of the month. Read in Indonesian: Kompas.com
INDONESIA: The Jakarta Post reported on 27 October on the release of the State of World Population report in Jakarta that was opened by the Coordinating Minister of Social Welfare, Dr. Agung Laksono. The article focused on urbanization issues, especially in the Indonesian context, drawn from the seminar that followed the launch. Other key issues discussed in the SWOP report that related to the world at 7 billion were also discussed in the article.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative in Indonesia Jose Ferraris said on Wednesday that as the world’s population was approaching 7 billion, more people were presently living in cities. Therefore, improving the quality of life of people living in urban areas, some of whom were living in informal settlements and slums, would be an unavoidable need.
“This is really a big challenge,” said Ferraris at the launch of The State of World Population (SWOP) 2011, an annual population report released by the UNFPA. The report launch aimed to commemorate a global milestone billed as “The World at 7 Billion”, which will fall on 31 October. Read in English: The Jakarta Post
Media Indonesia, Suara Pembaruan, Voice of Indonesia radio and other national news outlets reported on the State of World Population report release.
ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN: IRNA reported on 27 October on the State of World Population 2011 report and the implications in a world of 7 billion. The piece heavily quotes UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin who stated that, "Young people hold the key to the future, with the potential to transform the global political landscape and to propel economies through their creativity and capacities for innovation. But the opportunity to realize youth’s great potential must be seized now." Read in English: IRNA
JORDAN: AlRai, Addustour and Al-Arab Al-Yawm reported on 26 October and Jordan Times on 27 October that UNFPA has launched its 2011 World Population Report, entitled “People and Possibilities in a World of 7 Billion.” The media outlets also gave a brief on the report, its chapters and the countries it is focusing on, in addition to quotes from the Executive director’s statements. Read in Arabic: AlRai, Addustour, Al-Arab Al-Yawm and Jordan Times
LEBANON: Several media outlets reported on 26 and 30 October on the launch of the 2011 State of World Population. The articles provide an overview of the seven messages of the report, as well as global trends and population counts in some countries. The articles mention the 7 Billion Campaign accompanying the launch of the report. Read in Arabic: Al Diyar, Al Sharq El Awsat, Al Balad and Al Moustaqbal
LIBERIA: The News reported on 27 October that the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) released the State of World Population 2011 report stating that the population would reach seven billion on 31 October. Read in English: The News
The Probe reported on 27 October that “the State of the World Population released by the UNFPA which projects the world population to hit the seven billion mark by 31 October places Liberia among countries in sub-Saharan Africa with the high adolescent birth rates”. Read in English: The Probe
West Africa Democracy Radio reported on 27 October that “the State of the World Population released by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) indicates that Liberia remains among countries with the highest maternal mortality rates, with 990 deaths from every hundred thousand live births”. Read in English: West Africa Democracy Radio
MALAWI: Africa News reported on 28 October that as the world's population is set to shoot to seven billion by 31 October, poor nations, like Malawi, will be negatively affected economically.
Launching the State of the World Population 2011 report themed, “People and Possibilities in a World of 7 billion” in Lilongwe, the country’s UNFPA deputy representative Gift Malunga said it is a challenge because the current pace of population growth increases the demand for natural resources and puts increased pressure on the planet. “Most of this growth is occurring in less developed countries like Malawi. Gaps between rich and poor are growing. While Malawi has made tremendous progress in food security due to sustained maize production following the implementation of the agriculture Farm Subsidy Input Programme introduced in 2005, a number of people remain vulnerable to other challenges like water shortages and climate-related disasters. ’’
“On the other hand, the 7 billion population provides an opportunity to work together in developing our continent. In this regard each country has a role to play capacitating its citizens with the right education, skills and healthy lives. Otherwise, the growing population will be a burden than a resource,” said Malunga. Read in English: Africa News
The Nation reported on 28 October that UNFPA and the government of Malawi launched the 2011 State of the World Population Report which indicates that the world population will reach the seven billion mark on 31 October 31.
Speaking at the launch, UNFPA Malawi Deputy Representative Gift Malunga said the seven billion milestone will be marked by achievements, setbacks and paradoxes, and also presents a challenge, an opportunity and a call to action.
Malunga said one of the challenges is the rapid growth of the population which, she said, is exerting pressure on resources and the entire planet. She observed that most of this growth is occurring in less developed countries such as Malawi where the gaps between the rich and the poor are also growing.
Malawi’s Finance and Development Planning Minister Ken Lipenga said at the launch event that while Malawi government encourages few children per family, it would not force people to have only two children as per current campaign. Read in English: The Nation
MEXICO: A.M., La Crónica, Diario de México,El Economista,Excelsior, El Sol de México, El Universal, La Jornada, Milenio, Once TV,Proceso, Publimetro, Punto Crítico, Radio Fórmula, and Reforma reported from 25 to 31 October that the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) launched the State of World Population 2011 entitled “People and possibilities in a world of 7 billion,” which shows that the challenges ahead are formidable. Mr. Diego Palacios Jaramillo, UNFPA Mexico Representative mentioned during a press conference that the report contains snapshots from nine countries, including Mexico, where ordinary people, national demographic experts, and policymakers talked about the challenges they face and how they are confronting them. Read in Spanish: A.M., La Crónica, Diario de México,El Economista,Excelsior, Excelsior, Excelsior, El Sol de México, El Sol de México, El Sol de México, El Universal, La Jornada, La Jornada, La Jornada, La Jornada, La Jornada, La Jornada, Milenio, Milenio, Milenio, Milenio, Milenio, Milenio, Once TV, Proceso, Publimetro, Punto Crítico, Radio Fórmula, and Reforma
MOLDOVA: Info-Prim Neo reported on 26 October on the launch of the State of the World Population report at the Balti-based state university Alecu Russo. The report was presented by UNFPA Assistant Representative in Moldova Boris Gilca. Mr. Gilca spoke about the various activities, organized by UNFPA Moldova, around the occasion of the Day of 7 Billion including a nationally broadcast video themed, "Let's Help Moldova Grow!"
Various media outlets including the news agencies Info-Prim Neo and esp.md, as well as the newspaper Ziarul de Garda reported on 26 October, about the public launch of the State of World Population 2011 report worldwide. In Moldova the report was launched in Balti, the so-called north capital of the country, at the UN Documentation Center within the State University “Aleco Russo.” The report was presented by Boris Gilca, UNFPA Assistant Representative in Moldova, who mentioned that unlike the world situation of 7 billion, in Moldova, on the contrary, the population is decreasing continuously, one of the main causes of this phenomenon being the low fertility rate. This is a result of various processes, among them the increase of the average marriage age, the delay of childbirth, the increase of the mothers’ age at the first childbirth, fewer children in young families, the increase of the photogenes period, uncontrolled migration phenomenon etc. As a result the country is facing a massive process of population ageing.
Also, Boris Gilca mentioned about special anniversary certificates from UNFPA, that will be handed to all babies born in Moldova on 31 October, as part of activities organized to celebrate the 7 billion event. Read in Romanian: Info-Prim Neo and Ziarul de Garda Read in English: Info-Prim Read in Russian: esp.md
MOZAMBIQUE: TIM, TVM, Rádio Moçambique, RTP-Africa and RDP-Africa reported on 27 October, that the world population will reach 7 billion by the end of the month. All stories mentioned that the new UNFPA world population report discusses the challenges and opportunities of living in a world of 7 billion. RTP quoted Patricia Guzman, UNFPA representative in Mozambique, saying that in order to build a better world for all, it’s necessary to invest in youth education and health, and reduce inequalities between men and women. Guzman, who was interviewed during the launch of the SWOP, also told RTP-Africa that the report had a particular focus on Mozambique, as it featured stories about UNFPA-related interventions in the country. RDP-Africa noted that according to the report, in the community of Portuguese-speaking countries in Africa, Guinea - Bissau, Angola and Mozambique register higher under five mortality rates.
NAMIBIA: MySinchew.com on 28 October reported on the launch on the State of World Population report. UNFPA Country Representative Fabian Byomuhangi gave the announcement launching the report. Read in English: MySinchew.com
NEW ZEALAND: Radio New Zealand on 28 October interviewed Dirk Jenna, the Director of the United Nation's Population Funds' Pacific Sub-Regional Office in Fiji on the emphasis on the rights of women and the need for increased investment in young people - labeled the “new global power” by the State of World Population 2011: People and Possibilities in a World of 7 billion. Listen in English: Radio New Zealand
NICARAGUA: La Prensa on 27 October reported on the SWOP release. “It’s not a question of space, but of equal opportunity and social justice,” said Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of UNFPA in the presentation of the “State of World Population 2011.” Read in Spanish: La Prensa
PARAGUAY: Multiple media outlets reported on 26-27 October about the State of World Population 2011 report, which analyzes trends and dynamics that define a world of 7 billion people. Also published were the declarations of Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of UNFPA, who remarked that the milestone reminds us that we must act immediately. Read in Spanish: Radio Ñanduti – Portal digital, Neike – Periodismo Digital Paraguayo, La Nación Digital, Portal Paraguayo de Noticias, ABC Color Digital, Viva Paraguay, Radio Viva, 5 días, La Nación - edición impresa
Última Hora reported on 28 October that the milestone of 7 billion people, which officially will be reached on 31 October, "is a challenge and a call to action (...) reminds us that we must act now," said Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in London at the presentation of The State of World Population 2011. Read in Spanish: Diario Última Hora, edición impresa
ABC Color on 20 October reported that the milestone of 7,000 million, which officially will be reached on 31 October, "is a challenge and a call to action (...) reminds us that we must act now," according to Babatunde Osotimehin, executive director of the Population Fund (UNFPA) at the presentation in London of The State of World Population 2011. Read in Spanish: ABC Color, edición impresa.
PHILIPPINES: The Inquirer on 27 October reported that the good news about the world population reaching 7 billion is that the average life expectancy has soared to 68, infant mortality has dropped to 46 per 1,000, and the average number of children in a family has plunged by more than half at 2.5. The bad news: Carbon emissions are expected to rise and the gap between the rich and the poor will continue to grow with more people migrating to the cities from the rural areas, among other challenges. This was the report released by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Wednesday, launching the five-day countdown to a “global population milestone” of 7 billion estimated to hit by October 31. Read in English: Inquirer
The Philippine Star on 27 October reported that the world population will reach seven billion by Oct. 31 with the Philippines being the 12th most populous country, a report of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFA) showed. At the launch of the “2011 State of the World Population Report” yesterday, UNFA Representative Ugochi Daniels said that while women worldwide are having fewer children, global population continues to rise, partly because of higher life expectancy. “While our world of seven billion presents a complex picture of trends and paradoxes, there are some essential global truths we observe. Conversely, there is no one global population outlook,” Daniels said. Read in English: Philippine Star
Business World on 26 October reported that the United Nations has presented ways by which countries can address poverty issues in the face of a steadily increasing population that is projected by demographers to reach seven billion by the end of this month. “The issue of population is a critical one for our humanity and for the Earth. But let us be clear: It is not a matter of space. The population question is one of human equity and opportunity,” Ugochi Daniels, Population Fund (UNFPA) representative to the Philippines, said at yesterday’s launch of “The State of the World Population 2011” report. The report basically states that while the fast growth of the global population means more children survive and people live longer, this presents challenges such as lack of employment opportunities, gender inequality, dwindling resources and environmental degradation. Read in English: Business World
InterAksyon reported on 26 October that empowering women and girls remains a crucial factor in poverty alleviation as world population turns 7 billion by the end of October, according to the State of the World Population released by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Tuesday. Another billion people are estimated to add up to the world population in 14 years. The SWPR, an annual report by the UNFPA, looks at the world’s demographics and studies its implications in the quality of life-economy, environmental condition, health, and other factors affecting the global population. Almost half of the world’ people or 43 percent, is under 25. In the Philippines, 54 percent of the population falls on this age group. Read in English: InterAksyon
Manila Bulletin on 26 October reported that the world’s population now stands at seven billion, and Asia remains home to 60 percent of the world’s people, the 2011 State of the World Population report by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) revealed Wednesday. The report retains the Philippines as the 12th most populous country in the world with 94.9-million people while China continues to be the most populous nation at 1.35 billion, followed by India at 1.24 billion. UNFPA projects that the global figure of seven billion will take place at the end of October. Read in English: Manila Bulletin
SOUTH AFRICA: The Mail & Guardian reported on 26 October on the release of the UNFPA's SWOP report in Cape Town. Read in English: Mail & Guardian
City Press on 26 October published a listing of facts from UNFPA’s State of World Population 2011 report. Read in English: City Press
SPAIN: El Mundo in October 2011 created a special report on 7 Billion and featured SWOP information. Read and View in Spanish: El Mundo
TUNISIA: Assabah reported on 26 October the presentation of The State of World Population 2011.
UGANDA: NTV Uganda on 26 October highlighted the country's the growing numbers and featured UNFPA's Assistant Representative Dr. Wilfred Ochan explaining we need to “invest in people.” Watch in English: NTV Uganda
New Vision on 26 October focused on population growth and mentioned the launch of SWOP report. Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin was quoted saying, "Our record population size can be viewed in many ways as a success for humanity: People are living longer, healthier lives. But not everyone has benefited from this achievement or the higher quality of life that this implies." Read in English: New Vision
The Monitor on 29 October extensively quoted UNFPA’s data on the 7 billion and dedicated a large part of the article on an interview with the Assistant Representative of the UNFPA in Uganda, Dr. Wilfred Ochan, who said the organisation intends to follow up with the government on the report’s findings. Read in English: The Monitor
The Monitor on 29 October featured an articled entitled “UN: World can “thrive” as population hits 7 billion” stating that “with planning and the right investments in people now ... our world of 7 billion can have thriving, sustainable cities, productive labour forces that can fuel economic growth, youth populations that contribute to the well-being of economies and societies, and a generation of older people who are healthy and actively engaged in the social and economic affairs of their communities, UNFPA said in a new report.” The article continues to summarize the report.
The East African Business Week highlighted SWOP on 30 October making the report its front page and editorial page. UNFPA and Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin were quoted. “With planning and the right investments in people now – to empower them to make choices that are not only good for themselves, but also for our global commons – our world of 7 billion can have thriving sustainable cities, productive labour forces that fuel economies, and youth populations that contribute to the well-being of their societies” he said. Read in English: East African Business Week
UNITED KINGDOM: MSN reported on 30 October on the release of the State of World Population report and its prediction that the poorest regions of the world will be worst hit as the population hits seven billion. Read in English: MSN
The Daily Monitor on 27 October mention the launch of the SWOP report alongside Uganda's 2011 State of Population Report. Read in English: Daily Monitor
URUGUAY: Several media outlets reported on 27 to 29 October that UNFPA has presented the State of World Population 2011 analyzing population and demographic trends in several countries. These articles cited Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin on the need to address inequality and investing in youth people. Read more in Spanish: El País, El Telégrafo, El Diario, La República and 180.com.
VIET NAM: Multiple media outlets reported on 27-28 October that the world population is projected to reach 7 billion on 31 October. How we respond now will determine whether we have a healthy, sustainable and prosperous future or one that is marked by inequalities, environmental decline and economic setbacks, according to The State of World Population 2011 report, published today by UNFPA.
The 7 billion milestones is a challenge, it is also an opportunity and a call for action. In Viet Nam, the population growth rate has decreased significantly from 1.7 percent between 1989 and 1999 to 1.2 percent between 1999 and 2009. Although Viet Nam’s fertility rate has already fallen below the replacement level, the population will still increase by an estimated 9 million people over the next ten years due to population momentum created from past decades of high fertility. At the same time, as a result of sharp reductions in fertility and mortality and increased life expectancy, the size of the elderly population is also increasing. The profile of poverty is also changing. “While poverty rates have consistently fallen below 14 percent, poverty reduction among certain vulnerable groups, such as ethnic minorities, including women and girls, has been much slower. To reduce inequities and improve living standards today – as well as for generations to follow, requires immediate, concerted and evidence-based engagement of policy makers, planners and managers at national, provincial and community levels ,” said Bruce Campbell, UNFPA Representative in Viet Nam.
Data from the 2009 Census shows that Viet Nam has entered a period known as the "demographic bonus," recording the highest proportional level of young people who are entering the workforce in Viet Nam’s history. Today, young people between 10 to 24 years represent almost a third of the total population. “While this demographic window is open, Viet Nam can benefit from this tremendous resource by ensuring that every young person has access to quality social services, including health, education and training, so that they are well prepared to make a significant contribution to Viet Nam's continued socio-economic growth and development,” added Mr. Campbell. Read in English: Viet Nam Plus, Peoples’ Army, The Peoples, Young People and Youth. Read in Vietnamese: VTV, Viet Nam Laws, Family and Society, Great Unity, Women and Sport and Culture
GLOBAL: CONTINUING COVERAGE ON WORLD OF 7 BILLION
ALBANIA: Top Channel on 23 October broadcast a feature piece on the 7 billion milestone. View with English subtitles: Top Channel
Top Channel on 28 October featured an interview of UNFPA Albania PDS Programme Analyst Ms. Flora Ismaili talking about the 7 billion and UNFPA. View in Albanian: Top Channel
BANGLADESH: New Age on 26 October published a photo of the National Youth Forum forming a human chain in front of the National Press Club to create awareness of planned and nuclear families. The event was part of UNFPA's 7 Billion Actions Campaign.
BRAZIL: Veja magazine reported on 31 October that a child born this day in Brazil will live on a planet with more than 7 billion people. In 2100, when he or she turns 89 the elderly over 80 years will represent the largest portion of the population (13.3% of Brazilians). Is Brazil prepared to grow old with this baby? UNFPA Representative in Brazil, Harold Robinson, who recently launched the State of World Population 2011 report, is quoted saying that Brazil is in a good moment and is relatively ahead of the rest of the world in this regard, “even though there are many steps ahead." In his interview, Robinson stressed that, "Brazil now has more people of working age than dependents - children and elderly, who do not work. This window of opportunity must be seized, because there will come a time when the picture begins to change. With the increase in life expectancy the proportion of elderly will increase a lot. " Read in Portuguese: Veja
Isto É magazine reported on 28 October that Bosnian boy Adnan Nevic is one of the few celebrities of Visoko, a town near the capital Sarajevo. His fame is the result of a decision made by the UN in 1999, when he was chosen from the rubble of the Bosnian War to represent the population of 6 billion in our planet. More than a decade later the arrival of his successor is predicted for 31 October. "The world population will continue to grow and we need to be prepared for it," says Richard Kollodge, editor of a United Nations report on population released last week. Read in Portuguese: Isto É
BURKINA FASO: Le Pays and Sidwaya on 26 October reported on the cycle race, which took place on 23 October. This race is the launch of the countdown of the day of the 7 billion inhabitants. It was chaired by the Secretary Permanent of National Council of Population (CONAPO) in the presence of the Representative of the UNFPA/Burkina Dr Mamadou KANTE and the Technical Adviser of the Ministry of the Economy and Finances, representing the Minister of the Economy and Finances. Twenty-five women participated in the race. Their participation was greeted by the Representative of the UNFPA Dr. Mamadou Kanté who in his interview pointed out that an educated woman can change the world.
CAMBODIA: Voice of Democracy (VOD) Radio reported on 26 October that investing in young people is needed as the world reaches 7 billion people, according to a UNFPA press release.
Dr. Osotimehin, UNFPA executive director noted in the press statement that as the world tops 7 billion, it is important to plan and invest in human issues and empower people – it’s not only good for themselves but also for the world. He continued that the world can have sustainable city development and that young people can contribute to the labour force and a productive economy.
CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE): Le Pari africain reported on 26 October on a series of activities initiated by UNFPA from 24 October until World Human Rights Day on 10 December in conjunction with the milestone of a world at 7 billion people to be reached by 31 October 2011, worldwide and in several cities of the Republic of Congo. These activities included the launch of the 2011 State of the World Population report, TV spots and clips, media events, population-related activities and conferences around the country.
EGYPT: Almasry Alyoum reported on 26 October on the 7 billion milestone and quotes UNFPA Egypt Technical Advisor on Population and Development Abdullah Zoubi and mentions a UNFPA-sponsored art exhibit entitled, "Youth in Arab States: Changing the World for the Better" and featuring the work of members of Y-Peer. Read in English: Almasry Alyoum
GEORGIA: Various media outlets reported that on 24 October, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Georgia and the Georgian National Museum held an event “Georgia in the World of 7 Billion” at the National Museum of Georgia. Mr. George Tsereteli, Deputy Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, Mr. Jamie McGoldrick, UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Tamar Khomasuridze, UNFPA Assistant Representative Mr. Zaza Chelidze, Executive Director of the National Statistics Office of Georgia, Ms. Manana Kavtaradze, Head of International Relations Division, Ministry of Youth and Sports and Mr. David Lortkipanidze, Director of the National Museum made the speeches at the event highlighting the paramount significance of the 7 billion world population for Georgia and the whole planet.
The event was concluded with the awarding ceremony of the journalists participating in the contest on the best media coverage on Youth Issues in Georgia, 2011 organized by UNFPA/Georgia and conducted in the framework of a global initiative – The 7 Billion Actions Campaign. Watch in Georgian: PalitraTV, ITV. Read in English: Georgia Today, InterPressNews, Parliament. Read in Georgian: EPN, Heretifm, Mtavari, Trialeti. Read in Russian: News Georgia
GUATEMALA: CERIGUA on 24 October reported that the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) launched the world anthem "Unite," which was conducted by 50 musicians from 13 countries, to commemorate the beginning of the countdown to 31 October when it is projected that the world population will reach seven billion. Read in Spanish: CERIGUA
CERIGUA on 27 October reported that the few people who own the planet are destroying the resources that belongs to all, so on the milestone to of 7 billion people it is necessary to rethink new ways of producing and distributing wealth in the world according to Leonor Calderón, representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Guatemala. Read in Spanish: CERIGUA
INDONESIA: The Jakarta Post published an article on 22 October on the commemoration of the World at 7 Billion in Yogyakarta, entitled: Global demographic challenges remain unresolved: UNFPA. The article quoted Nobuko Horibe, the UNFPA Asia Pacific Director, as saying that despite its huge impact in various sectors, population growth is a relatively recent phenomenon. In 1804, the global population was at one billion. Only recently has it increased significantly. In 2020, India will overtake China as the most populous country in the world. “If we look at the Asia-Pacific region, its population is currently at about 4 billion, or about 60 percent of the world population. Our share of 60 percent will go down gradually by 2050, while Africa will continue to increase,” said Horibe.
She added that population growth was not just a matter of figures. “It’s much more about how we are educated and employed, how boys and girls are treated and how much access we have to sexual and reproductive health services.”
Despite the commitment made in the ICPD in Cairo in 1994, the reality is still far from what we promise to do. Former UNFPA executive Director and currently Special Envoy to the HIV/AIDS in Asia and Pacific highlighted that many promises in the area of reproductive and sexual health remained undelivered. “After the ICPD, the issue of gender equality showed some progress but there were still some challenges that still had to be quickly overcome.” Read in English: The Jakarta Post
LEBANON: LBC reported on 30 October on the imminent birth of the 7 billion baby. The 2-minute report was screened within the peek-time news bulletin. It featured two newborn Lebanese girls and addressed the main challenges awaiting future generations in Lebanon. The report provided national statistics on poverty, women and youth. UNFPA was directly mentioned with a screenshot of the UNFPA CO website. Watch in Arabic: LBC
MTV reported on 30 October on water scarcity in a world of 7 billion. The 2-minute report was screened within the peek-time news bulletin and provided global UNFPA statistics on the availability of drinking water in light of population projections in the coming years.
Several media outlets reported on 26 October on the initiative UNFPA is leading to welcome Lebanese newborn babies on 31 October, which marks the day the world will be reaching 7 Billion people. This event aims to concretize the symbolic importance of the 7 Billion day and is organized jointly with the Ministry of Public Health and the Lebanese Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 17 public hospitals throughout Lebanon. On that day, midwives will be distributing welcome packages to newborns and their mothers. The package includes promotional material centered around the 7 billion logo and messages as well as informative pamphlets providing guidance on neonatal, family planning and sexual and reproductive health. The media was invited to cover the event. Read in Arabic: El Nashra, UPI, Vision News, Arabs Today, Al Ittihad, Al Markazia, Al Haraka
Al Hayat reported on 26 October on the 7 Billion Campaign. This article is part of the media-UNFPA Lebanon partnership to increase understanding about the specific challenges implied on Lebanon by a world population of 7 billion. This article is the first in a series of three. It provides a general approach to the campaign and to its rationale, in addition to a number of global trends on several issues, such as life expectancy, fertility and inequality. Read in Arabic: Al Hayat
Al Diyar reported on 24 October on the start of countdown to 7 billion. The article also included a brief overview of the campaign’s main themes. Read in Arabic: Al Diyar
Lebanon Files reported on 29 and 30 October on UNFPA’s 7 Billion Campaign. This one-page article appeared in the website’s special corner. The article describes the campaign led by UNFPA and focuses on the challenges facing Lebanon. The article also mentioned the UNFPA’s joint initiative with the Ministry of Public Health consisting of welcoming newborns in 18 Lebanese hospitals on the day of 7 Billion. Read in Arabic: Lebanon Files
Al Balad published “For your Information,” a statistical section on the 7 Billion Campaign on 30 October. This article is part of the media-UNFPA Lebanon partnership to increase understanding of the specific challenges implied on Lebanon by a world population of 7 billion. This article is the last section in a series of 4 weekly sections. Entitled “Reproductive Health: A Basic Right”, the article provides a statistical snapshot on maternal health in Lebanon. The article also mentions UNFPA Lebanon’s efforts for empowering women making quality SRH services and information available and in preventing gender Based Violence.
MALAWI: The Nation reported on 26 October that on 31 October the world’s population will reach seven billion and that UNFPA country representative Athanase Nzokirishaka said his organisation has since unveiled a new website called 7 Billion Actions as part of its activities to mark the event. The website, according to UNFPA, will give the UN, local governments, economists and NGOs access to data predicting population growth over time. Read in English: The Nation
NAMIBIA: The Namibian on 27 October reported on the impacts of a 7 billion population. “The world population will reach seven billion on October 31, said the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which country representative Fabian Byomuhangi said presents a serious challenge, opportunity and call to manage the world’s resources more prudently.” Read in English: The Namibian
NICARAGUA: Semanario Confidencial reported on 28 October that while population growth is measured mainly in terms of its impact on food security, resources, reproductive health, international migration, unemployment and environmental sustainability, the Executive Director of UNFPA, Babatunde Osotimehin, prefers to see it more positively. Read in Spanish: Semanario Confidencial
PHILIPPINES: The Manila Bulletin on 30 October published an op-ed saying that sometime Sunday, a baby was born, and the world’s population reached seven billion. The birth came a day ahead of what the United Nations has proclaimed as The Day of 7 Billion. It as much a milestone in human history as it is a worldwide cause for deep concern. In the UN World Population Fund’s (UNFPA) list of the world’s most populous countries, the Philippines ranks 12th. That means one in every 73 persons on the planet live here. To Ugochi Daniels, the UNFPA’s country representative in the Philippines, “the challenge is responding to the needs of these young people by providing them with life skills, including proper information about their sexuality, that will allow them to better plan their lives and contribute to nation-building.” Read in English: Manila Bulletin
The Manila Bulletin on 30 October published an editorial saying there will be seven billion people sharing Earth’s land and other resources by October 31, 2011, according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). UNFPA is leading a global campaign to build awareness on the opportunities and challenges of a world of seven billion people, to be launched on October 31, 2011 – “7 Billion Day” – when it will also release its annual State of World Population report, titled “People and Possibilities in a World of 7 Billion.” Read in English: Manila Bulletin
SIERRA LEONE: Standard Times published on 28 September that late in October, a child will be born, the 7th billion citizen of planet earth. We will never know the circumstance into which he or she will be born. We know that the baby will enter a world of vast unpredictable change.
The world population has tripled since the United Nations was created in 1945. And our numbers keep growing and corresponding pressure on land, energy, food and water. The global economy is generating pressures as well: these trends link the fate and future of today’s seven billion people as never before. No nation alone can solve the great global challenges of the twenty first century. International cooperation is a universal need.
SOUTH AFRICA: Sowetan reported on 26 October on the UNFPA's 31 October 7 billion milestone. Read in English: Sowetan
TANZANIA: The Citizen on 26 October reported that Tanzanians have been strongly urged to take responsibility and act for the good of development as the world's population reaches 7 billion at the end of this month. This was said by UNFPA Representative Dr. Julita Onabanjo on the official countdown of towards the birth of the 7 billionth child.
The Sunday Guardian on 30 October reported that Tanzanian families too large. With projections that the world population will hit seven billion on 31 October, UNFPA has revealed that many Tanzanians have larger families than they can afford.
TOGO: Togo Presse on 26 October highlighted the celebrations of the 66th anniversary of the United Nations on 24 October under the “7 Billion Actions Campaign.” The celebration, held at a dinner party in the gardens of the Hotel Sarakawa in Lomé witnessed the presence of a cross-section of Togo’s political, traditional and economic elites as well as United Nations’ Representatives and Personnel. In her welcoming speech, the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations’ System in Togo, Ms. Khardiata Lo N’diaye, expressed felicitation to the President of the Republic and his Head of Government on the occasion on the election of Togo as a non-permanent member state of the UN Security Council. She further underscored the historic aspect of the year 2011; a year where, according to UNFPA statistics, the world will be counting 7billion inhabitants. Ms. Lo N’diaye concluded by stressing the necessity of putting into place strategic orientation plans in order to face the challenges that a world of 7billion inhabitants would present.
TURKEY: The Hürriyet Daily News reported on 30 October that the day the world population reaches 7 billion is not a cause for alarm. “Our projection is that if current trends continue, the population of Turkey will reach 100 million by 2050, so I’m not very worried. But if you push too hard to have more children it could lead to issues. Many cities like Istanbul are so crowded already,” Dr. Zahidul Huque, the U.N. Population Fund’s (UNFPA) representative in Ankara, said in an interview with the Hürriyet Daily News. Read in English: Hürriyet Daily News
UGANDA: The Observer on 30 October published an article quoting UNFPA Uganda Country Representative Janet Jackson. “We need to stop and ponder on how we can make this space which we all share together a better place,” Jackson said. “There is need to ensure families are planned and that every child is wanted. This will lead to families that are cared for. Individual decisions are very important in determining global population growth.” Jackson also advises that priority be given to women and girls because “when women are healthy and educated they trigger progress in their families, communities and nations.” Read in English: The Observer
New Vision published an editorial on 28 October urging Uganda to “tackle causes of high population growth.” “If we want to pay more than lip service to reducing our population growth rates – among the fastest in the world, we need to pay particular attention to women’s welfare and encourage their empowerment.” UNFPA data is quoted throughout.
UNITED STATES: PBS' "To the Contrary"on 28 October broadcast an interview with UNFPA Executive Director on the 7 billion. His piece starts at the 16:04 mark. View in English: PBS
UNITED KINGDOM: BBC on 28 October broadcast a programme on the 7 billion featuring UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde. Listen in English: BBC
URUGUAY: Several media outlets reported on 29 October that the world population was to reach 7 billion, and coinciding with this occasion UNFPA and Montevideo City Council organized a parade of candombe, a musical genre with African roots that was declared humankind heritage by UNESCO. Hundreds of drums and dancers took to Montevideo’s city center. In addition, a population counter was installed in a public screen on Intendencia’s Square from which Montevideans could follow population reaching 7 billion. Read more in Spanish: Canal 10, La República, Subrayado y Causa Abierta.
Several media outlets reported on 28 October that while the world was expecting its 7 billionth inhabitant, several web applications allowed individuals to discover how many people lived at the moment of every person’s birth. Read more in Spanish: Montevideo.com, El País, Subrayado and El Observador.
VIET NAM: Multiple media outlets reported on 28 October that the world population is projected to reach 7 billion on 31 October. To mark this important milestone, a gala night on “The World at 7 Billion – Counting on Each Other” was held in Ha Noi on 27 October, by the Ministry of Health and the United Nations in Viet Nam. Speaking at the gala night, the Minister of Health, Nguyen Thi Kim Tien said “This gala shows a commitment from the government of Viet Nam on joining efforts for a healthy planet and healthy people”.
The 7 billion milestone is a challenge, it is an opportunity and it is a call to action. “We are here today – different ages, careers, cultures, nationalities and languages – but let the power of music brings us together. I am one of 7 billion. You are one of 7 billion. Each of us has a unique role and shared responsibility to address issues that affect us all towards inclusive, equitable and sustainable development,” said Mr. Bruce Campbell, UNFPA Representative in Viet Nam. Read the in Vietnamese: Gia Dinh va Xa Hoi (Family and Society), Song Tre, Tien Phong and Nhan Dan
UNITED KINGDOM/MOZAMBIQUE: Obstetric Fistula Working Group Held in Maputo
Independent Health Blogs reported on 18 October on the International Obstetric Fistula working group, hosted by UNFPA, in Maputo. Read in English: Independent Health Blogs
GLOBAL: CONTINUING COVERAGE ON WORLD OF 7 BILLION
CANADA: CTV published on 16 October an article and video on the upcoming 7 billion population milestone predicted by UNFPA. Read and view in English: CTV
GLOBAL: Multiple media outlets picked up the Associated Press report on 17 October that, “As of Oct. 31, according to the U.N. Population Fund, there will be 7 billion people sharing Earth's land and resources.” Read in English: NPR, The Telegraph, Contra Costa Times
GLOBAL: The Associated Press on 17 October published a piece on the 7 billion quoting UNFPA Deputy Representative in Nigeria Ndyanabangi Bannet who noted that 60 per cent of the population is under 30 and needs to be accommodated with education, training and health care. “It is a plus if it is taken advantage of,” he said of Nigeria’s youth. “But if it is not harnessed, it can be a challenge, because imagine what hordes of unemployed young people can do.” Read in English: Associated Press
GLOBAL: Raleigh International on 17 October published a blog on the approaching population milestone of 7 billion. UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin is quoted saying the event is, “It's an opportunity to bring the issues of population, women's rights and family planning back to centre stage.” Read in English: Raleigh International
GLOBAL: The Press Association on 17 October reported on UNFPA’s 7 billion milestone prediction. Read in English: The Press Association
GLOBAL: Digital Journal on 17 October published an article on the upcoming 7 billion mark and highlighting the upcoming State of World Population report. Read in English: Digital Journal
NIGERIA: The Nigerian Tribune on 17 October reported that worldwide, 215 million women have an unmet need for family planning – a need that will only increase as the population grows. “A world of seven billion people is a distinctive moment in history. It represents an achievement, as well as an unprecedented challenge for the future of the planet and its inhabitants,” said UNFPA’s Babatunde Osotimehin. From 29 November to 2 December an International Conference on Family Planning will convene nearly 2,000 policymakers, scientists and advocates to galvanize action. Read in English: Nigerian Tribune
SRI LANKA: The Daily Mirror reported on 12 October that UNFPA sources revealed a number of socio-economic challenges the country would face as the world approached 7 billion such as a rapidly ageing population and rising unemployment. Read in English: Daily Mirror
UNITED KINGDOM: The Belfast Telegraph on 17 October cited the UNFPA prediction that the population milestone of 7 billion will be hit on 31 October. Read in English: Belfast Telegraph
UNITED STATES: The Harvard Crimson reported on 13 October on a lecture given by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin and hosted by the Harvard Centre for Population and Development Studies. Dr. Osotimehin stressed that in a world of seven billion, "We must ask ourselves how to engage with young people in different contexts so as to make them equal partners in the development of their countries.” Read in English: Harvard Crimson
UNITED STATES: Forbes.com published a column on 24 October by Elizabeth Kolbert. “Sometime on October 31st, the world’s population will hit seven billion. The baby who does the trick will most likely appear in India, where the number of births per minute—fifty-one—is higher than in any other nation. But he or she could also be born in China—the world’s most populous country—or in a fast-growing nation like Nigeria or Guatemala or, really, anywhere. The idea that a particular child will on a particular day bring the global population to a particular number is, of course, a fiction; nobody can say, within tens of millions, how many people there are on earth at any given time. The United Nations Population Fund has picked October 31st as its best estimate. That this date is Halloween is presumably just a coincidence.” Read in English: Forbes.com
UNITED STATES: Forbes.com published a blog on 17 October entitled “Too Many People?” The blog cites UNFPA several times stating, “The United Nations has been analyzing and forecasting the world’s demographics for decades.” Read in English: Forbes.com
UNITED STATES: McClatchy Newspapers on 9 October published a column on the importance of family planning in a world of 7 billion and global family planning has declined. “International donations of foreign aid to UNFPA to curb population growth have stagnated at $400 million per year, down from a peak of $700 million in 2002.”
UNITED STATES: The Post Standard on 17 October reiterated UNFPA’s Dr. Osotimehin’s description of the 7 billion milestone as a call to action. Read in English: The Post Standard
UNITED STATES: MSNBC on 15 October published a photoblog saying, “By the end of October, it is expected that there will be 7 billion people living on the planet, according to the U.N. Population Fund. We are hitting this milestone, even though Western Europe, Japan and Russia are currently facing population declines as a result of low birthrates and aging populations.” Read in English: MSNBC
UNITED KINGDOM: Standing Up for Teen Girls
DAWN.com reported on 14 October on the launch of a report urging more attention to the needs of adolescent girls. Also at the launch was Nafis Sadik, former executive director for UNFPA who said that was pains her the most “is the girls’ low status and their powerlessness, even in the decisions that most affect their own lives – whom to marry, when to marry, when to have children. ‘Religious and cultural attitudes to girls mean that decisions must be dictated by men, or by the whole family. Only she herself is excluded.’ Nearly half of rural women in developing countries are married before they are 18. Sadik recalled exchanges with pregnant young women among her patients. ‘You can tell them how to protect their health, but then you realise they are not in a position to make those choices. If you advise them to eat better, they look at you as if you are on the moon.’” Read in English: DAWN.com
UNITED KINGDOM: Pop Star UN Spokeswoman
The Daily Mail on 29 September cited singer Natalie Imbruglia as a spokeswoman for the UNFPA's fistula campaign. Read in English: Daily Mail
ANGUILLA: Youth Attend Reproductive Health Workshop
The Anguillian reported on 19 August on a three-day workshop on reproductive health for young leaders conducted by Mario Aguilar, the regional adviser on reproductive health for the United Nations Population Fund. The workshop’s goal was to, “train a group of young people in reproductive matters including family planning, teenage pregnancy prevention, peer support groups, cancer and HIV/AIDS,” said Mr. Aguilar. Read in English: The Anguillian
UNITED KINGDOM: Comment: Response: I Did Not Claim The UN Was Complicit In Forced Abortions In China
The Guardian published an op-ed on 20 July by Mara Hvistendahl arguing “Your article may mislead readers about the content of my book on sex-selective abortion and the sex-ratio imbalance it has yielded in Asia and parts of Eastern Europe (Lost girls: sex selection and the rise of Generation XY, 18 June).You report that in Unnatural Selection I describe the "complicity of the UNFPA, the UN's main population agency, in the tyranny of China's forced abortion policy." In fact the forced abortions in China in the 1980s were perpetrated by local officials and not explicitly sanctioned by government policy. I did not argue, furthermore, that the United Nations Population Fund was complicit in these abortions - rather that the agency provided $50m in funding ahead of the one-child policy's unveiling, and then looked the other way when foreign press reports made clear that forced abortions were occurring. There is a difference between outright funding an injustice and ignoring injustice once it occurs. UNFPA responded to the article with a letter contesting my supposed claims (Sex selection, China, and human rights, 25 June). The letter may not have been necessary had the article veered more closely to the message of my book.” Read: The Guardian
UNITED KINGDOM: Letter: Sex Selection Confusion
The Guardian published a letter to the editor on 5 July by Jane Cottingham questioning an earlier column’s representation of sex selection. She argued “Rather than blindly reporting the stand taken by Mara Hvistendahl regarding the claimed role of western governments and businesses in sex selection in countries like China and India (Claim of western role in sex selection rise, 24 June), Ed Pilkington would have served readers better had he presented information based on more serious research.” A useful reference document is: Preventing gender-biased sex selection: an interagency statement by OHCHR, UNFPA, Unicef, UN Women and WHO, published by the WHO this year. Read: The Guardian
ASIA: Sex Selection, China And Human Rights
The Guardian (UK) published a letter to the editor on 24 June by Safiye Cagar, the UNFPA Director of Information and External Relations. She wrote, “Mara Hvistendahl's wish to highlight the scourge of prenatal sex selection in Asia (Lost girls: sex selection and the rise of Generation XY, 17 June) is laudable, but her book's claim that UNFPA, the UN Population Fund, has failed to address the problem is incorrect. On the contrary, UNFPA has been raising alarms about this odious practice for more than 20 years.” She noted, “In China, UNFPA called attention to the skewed sex ratio at birth when it first became apparent in the 1990 census; our advocacy helped persuade the government to outlaw sex selection in 1994.” And “in India, UNFPA has long been a prominent leader in advocating against sex selection and other practices that discriminate against girls and women.” Read: The Guardian
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
GLOBAL: Unnatural Selection Highlights Role of West in Sex-Selection
The Atlantic (US) reported on 18 June and The Guardian (UK) reported on 17 June on the book Unnatural Selection by Mara Hvistendahl. The Guardian focused on the book’s emphasis on “the complicity of the UNFPA, the UN’s main population agency, in the tyranny of China’s forced abortion policy. . . just one of the examples given in a book that explores western involvement in what has become a modern scourge: sex selection.” While The Atlantic noted ‘"It took millions of dollars in funding from US organizations for sex determination and abortion to catch on in the developing world,’ she writes. Moreover, she also blames the UNFPA, the UN's main population agency, for refusing to own up to its role in funding sex-selection.” Read: The Atlantic and The Guardian
GLOBAL: THOMSON REUTERS SURVEY RANKS COUNTRIES ON WOMEN’S STATUS
INDIA: IANS reported on 15 June that Pakistan and Somalia as the top five countries in the world where it is not safe to be a woman, a statement said. "India ranks high on the list because of the high levels of female foeticide and infanticide. This report comes on the heels of the 2011 census released in India, which showed that the child sex ratio has declined to an all-time low of 914 girls for every 1,000 boys," said Thomas Chandy, CEO of Save the Children. The article noted that a Save the Children statement said that according to UNFPA, approximately 50 million girls have gone missing over the past century because of female infanticide and foeticide.
UNITED KINGDOM: The Guardian reported on 15 June on the release of results of a survey compiled by the Thomson Reuters Foundation to mark the launch of a website, TrustLaw Woman, aimed at providing free legal advice for women's groups around the world. Forced marriage and forced labour trafficking add to the dangers for women. "Up to 50 million girls are thought to be 'missing' over the past century due to female infanticide and foeticide," the UNFPA says, because parents prefer to have young boys rather than girls. Read: The Guardian
UNITED KINGDOM: UNFPA Executive Director Interviewed
BBC and The Guardian featured interviews on 27 May and 1 June with UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin about issues, including those driving the debate around population and food security. He said, “If you see the world as a bread basket for everyone, then yes, there is enough food to go around – but there are gross inequities in terms of distribution and in terms of access. The main message must be that every country needs to put in serious national plans to ensure their own food sustainability. With political will, governments can feed their people. It's about ensuring that we work with nation states to help them take hard choices and invest appropriately to ensure that people – particularly women and girls – have all they require to participate actively within their own food security.” Listen: BBC Read: The Guardian
UNITED KINGDOM: Foreign Aid Strategy Puts Focus On Safe Abortion and Contraception
The Guardian reported on 31 December that the coalition government will put contraception and safe abortion at the heart of its efforts to help save women's lives in poor countries. Two documents set out plans for international development, which has a ringfenced budget. One focuses on the fight against malaria, to which the chancellor, George Osborne, is personally committed. The other envisages increasing efforts to save the lives of women in childbirth and their babies. Funding in poor countries will double between 2010 and 2015 from the 2008 level, and then plateau. The UK will spend an average of £740m a year on women's and children's health, totaling £4.4b n, an extra £2.1bn more than previous commitments. Within this total, says DfID, there will be "significant" spending on reproductive health, with the aim of enabling 10 million more women "to choose whether, when and how many children to have". Details of how much money will go to agencies such as UNFPA, Marie Stopes and others will not be available until DfID's total spending review is completed early in 2011. Read: The Guardian
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
GLOBAL: COVERAGE ON “TRENDS IN MATERNAL MORTALITY” REPORT
IRIN reported on 16 September that the proportion of women in sub-Saharan Africa who died because of pregnancy fell by more than a quarter between 1990 and 2008, according to estimates released on 15 September. In 1990, the maternal mortality ratio was 870 per 100,000 live births in sub-Saharan Africa, the worst rate of any region in the world. In 2008, it was 640, according to data published jointly by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA and the World Bank. Read: IRIN
BRAZIL: Agencia Brasil reported on 15 September that the number of women dying due to complications during pregnancy and childbirth has decreased by 34 per cent between 1990 and 2008. The figures were presented in the new report, "Trends in Maternal Mortality," released by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA and the World Bank. UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid was quoted stressing that governments and civil society organizations must ensure that every woman has a safe pregnancy and every pregnancy is wanted. According to her, the training of health workers must be stimulated, and adequate funding for reproductive health services must be provided. Read in Portuguese: Agencia Brasil
CAMBODIA: Phnom Penh Post reported on 17 September that a report produced by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA and the World Bank listed Cambodia as one of seven countries with high maternal mortality rates outside of Sub-Saharan Africa, which, as a region, accounted for nearly three-fifths of maternal deaths globally. Also listed were Afghanistan, Laos, Nepal, East Timor, Bangladesh and Haiti. Sarah Knibbs, UNFPA Representative in Cambodia, said that the figures used in the report had referred to government data, but that they had been “adjusted to a level that makes them comparable globally.” She added that the maternal mortality rate was one of the most difficult MDG indicators to measure reliably. Read: Phnom Penh Post
CHINA: Xinhua reported on 17 September on new figures published in this year's "Levels & Trends in Child Mortality" report issued by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, noting that earlier in the week, a new report by UNICEF, WHO, UNFPA and the World Bank found that the number of women dying due to complications during pregnancy and childbirth has decreased by 34 per cent from an estimated 546,000 in 1990 to 358,000 in 2008. Read: Xinhua
INDIA: The Times of India reported on 15 September that though India has seen a dramatic fall in its maternal mortality rate, by 59 per cent between 1990 and 2008, the country is still home to the highest number of women dying during childbirth in the world. India's maternal mortality ratio stood at 570 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1990, which fell to 470 in 1995, 390 in 2000, 280 in 2005 and 230 in 2008. India, which has seen an annual decrease of MMR by 4.9 per cent since 1990, now records 63,000 maternal deaths a year according to the latest report, " Trends in Maternal Mortality," released jointly by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA and World Bank. Read: The Times of India
Sify reported on 15 September that Asia's maternal mortality rate declined by 52 per cent in the last two decades – compared to a 34 per cent decline globally. In Asia, the number of maternal deaths is estimated to have dropped from 315,000 to 139,000 between 1990-2008, the report, “Trends in Maternal Mortality” by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA and the World Bank. Read: Sify
KENYA: Capital FM reported on 15 September that a new report by international health bodies on Wednesday indicated that maternal deaths have dropped by a third globally. According to UNICEF, the World Bank, WHO and UNFPA, “The number of women dying due to complications during pregnancy and childbirth has decreased by 34 percent.” Read: Capital FM
PARAGUAY: ABC and La Nacion, reported on 19 September that it is necessary to further strengthen and implement measures on achieving the Millennium Development Goal 5. The estimated number of women who die from complications of pregnancy and childbirth in 2008 decreased by 34 per cent from 546,000 in 1990 to 358,000 in 2008, according to the report “Trends in Maternal Mortality”, released by WHO, UNFPA and others. Read in Spanish: ABC and La Nacion
UNITED STATES: CNN reported on 15 September that the number of women dying in pregnancy and childbirth has dropped by a third in the past two decades, according to a report from four world bodies. UNICEF and WHO issued the report together with the World Bank and UNFPA. Read: CNN
The Huffington Post published a blog by Anika Rahman, President of Americans for UNFPA on 15 September reflecting on the new report, "Trends in Maternal Mortality" released by UNFPA, WHO, UNICEF and the World Bank. She wrote, “I am reminded of women like Veronica Komba from Tanzania, whose story was recently featured in UNFPA's Mothers Saved. At the age of 14, Veronica was left homeless, hungry and pregnant. She came very close to death after collapsing in her village from high blood pressure, but her life was spared, primarily because she was able to access transportation to a hospital. A local women's group paid for the vehicle that transported Veronica 60 km to the nearest hospital for the C-Section that saved her life. Giving birth is especially risky in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, where most women deliver without any access to skilled care. It doesn't have to be this way. With greater access to perinatal care, most maternal deaths could be avoided. We can live in a world where no woman dies in childbirth.” Read: The Huffington Post
Medical News Today reported on 15 September that the total number of deaths of women worldwide caused by childbirth or complications during pregnancy fell by 34 per cent between 1990 and 2008, according to Trends in Maternal Mortality, a report released by WHO, UNFPA, UNICEF and the World Bank. Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, the Executive Director of UNFPA, said, “Every birth should be safe and every pregnancy wanted. The lack of maternal health care violates women's rights to life, health, equality, and non-discrimination. MDG5 can be achieved," she adds, "but we urgently need to address the shortage of health workers and step up funding for reproductive health services.” Read: Medical News Today
The Iowa Independent reported on 15 September that estimates show that it is possible to prevent many more women from dying. “Every birth should be safe and every pregnancy wanted,” said Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, executive director of UNFPA. “The lack of maternal health care violates women’s rights to life, health, equality and non-discrimination. … [W]e urgently need to address the shortage of health workers and step up funding for reproductive health services.” Read: The Iowa Independent
UPI reported on 16 September that death for women during childbirth or from complications during pregnancy dropped by 34 per cent from 1990 to 2008, World Health Organization officials said. The report released by the WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA and the World Bank said the progress is notable but the annual rate of decline is less than half of what is needed to achieve the Millennium Development Goal target of reducing the maternal mortality ratio by 75 per cent from 1990 to 2015 -- requiring an annual decline of 5.5 percent. Read: UPI
US News and World Report reported on 15 September that the number of women worldwide who die from complications during pregnancy and childbirth has decreased 34 per cent in the past 20 years, but more needs to be done to reduce the 1,000 maternal deaths that still occur each day, says a new report. While that 34 per cent decrease is encouraging, it works out to an average annual decline of 2.3 percent, less than half of the average 5.5 per cent annual decline required to achieve the Millennium Development Goal target of a 75 per cent reduction between 1990 and 2015. In 2008, about 1,000 pregnant women died each day from four major causes: severe bleeding after childbirth, infections, hypertensive disorders, and unsafe abortion. Of those 1,000 women, 570 were in sub-Saharan Africa, 300 in South Asia, and five in high-income countries. Women in developing countries are 36 times more likely to die of pregnancy-related complications than women in developed nations, said the report, released by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, and the World Bank.
UGANDA: The New Vision reported on 15 September that while maternal health in Uganda has improved over the last 20 years with fewer mothers dying from pregnancy-related complications, the country’s maternal mortality rate remains high. According to a report by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA and the World Bank, Uganda’s maternal mortality ratio has fallen from 670 deaths per 100,000 live births, to 430 deaths per 100,000 live births. Read: The New Vision
UK: The Guardian featured a blog by Health Editor Sarah Boseley on 15 September reporting that a report by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA and the World Bank shows maternal mortality has dropped by a third. It's official. The numbers of women dying in pregnancy and childbirth have been coming down. WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA and the World Bank put their hefty collective weight behind a set of figures that shows maternal mortality has dropped by a third since 1990. The half a million number that has been almost a mantra for campaigners for decades is no more. Read: The Guardian
UZBEKISTAN: UzReport reported on 15 September that the number of women dying due to complications during pregnancy and childbirth has decreased by 34 per cent from an estimated 546,000 in 1990 to 358,000 in 2008, according to a new report, "Trends in Maternal Mortality." "Every birth should be safe and every pregnancy wanted," said Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, the Executive Director of UNFPA. "The lack of maternal health care violates women's rights to life, health, equality, and non-discrimination. MDG5 can be achieved," she added, "but we urgently need to address the shortage of health workers and step up funding for reproductive health services."
GLOBAL: A World Too Full Of People
The New Statesman (U.K.) published a column by Mary Fitzgerald on 30 August on numerous challenges related to rapid population growth, climate change, poverty reduction and reproductive health and women’s rights. Ms. Fitzgerald quoted numerous UNFPA experts and publications. She wrote, “When I asked the head of the UNFPA's population and development branch about the need to introduce policies encouraging women throughout the world - and particularly in the west - to have fewer children, he would not endorse it."We're not promoting any particular policy to increase or decrease fertility," José Miguel Guzman explained. "Our main goal is to give women the power to decide how many children they have, and to pressure governments into introducing policies that reduce per-capita emissions." Read: The New Statesman
CONTINUING COVERAGE ON XVIII International AIDS CONFERENCE
UNITED KINGDOM: The Independent reported on 28 July on a demonstration of the FC2, a female condom, at The XVIII International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2010) in Vienna, Austria, noting that according to UNFPA "In 2005, nearly two thirds of all female condoms were used in Africa, while the next largest shares went to North America and Europe. Asia accounted for less than 1 per cent of the global total in 2005, though figures for later years may be higher due to growth in India.” Read: The Independent
UNITED STATES: Women’s eNews reported on 29 July that some advocates at the International AIDS Conference greeted news of the results of an HIV gel coolly, saying more was needed than a "medicalized" response to an epidemic that travels a social pathway of infringed women's rights. While medical research news is welcome, Purnima Mane, deputy executive director of UNFPA said that women's infection risks are often aggravated by social, rather than medical, issues. "The vulnerability of women, the issues that are impacting women, haven't changed as much as they should because they are not related to HIV, they are related to women's situations in general," she said in an interview. Read: Women’s eNews
TANZANIA/U.K.: Safer Motherhood, Safer World?
The Guardian (U.K.) published a feature on 15 June on maternal health in Tanzania. The piece was submitted as part of a contest for journalists addressing development themes sponsored. The article noted that, although the government has worked with UNFPA to “to strengthen fragmented health systems and equip and staff clinics better, progress towards MDG5 is being undermined by socio-cultural, ethnic and religious norms that, along with financial constraints, prevent women from making positive decisions about their own health.” Read: The Guardian
UGANDA/UK: DfID to Invest Millions for Contraceptives for Uganda
The Guardian (UK) published a blog by Liz Ford on 20 May reporting that the UK government announced it is to spend £2.95m on supplying "urgently needed" contraceptives to Uganda. In a week that has seen the Department for International Development (DfID) cut spending on development awareness projects, the development secretary, Andrew Mitchell, sought to live up to his pledge to direct more money towards "frontline services" with a move designed to give women "more control over their lives". The money will be channelled through UNFPA, which together with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provides about 95 percent of all contraceptives in Uganda, and will be spent on condoms (45 million of them), contraceptive implants and pills. Read: The Guardian
U.K.: Britain Is Strong Supporter of Reproductive Health and Condoms
The Times reported on 19 March that, by the 1990s it was obvious that Africa needed condoms. But, says Jagdish Upadhyay, of UNFPA, the largest distributor of condoms in the developing world, Britain was among the few who stepped forward. “Since 1994, Britain has been a very, very strong supporter of reproductive health,” said Mr. Upadhyay. “This compares with some other countries in Europe, who don’t like to support condoms much for religious reasons. Italy — we’ve not received anything from them for condoms. Spain — recently, but not for a long time before that.” Then, from the UNFPA’s point of view, disaster struck with the election of President Bush in 2000. He cut all funding to the UNFPA, because of its other work on family planning. “They thought that by supporting condom use, we were doing the wrong thing,” said Mr. Upadhyay, who is in charge of managing condoms for the UNFPA. “Conservative groups talked about family planning in the religious context, and put internal pressure on the administration.” Read: The Times