CHINA: EVAW Day Celebrated
Shanghai Evening News and Jie Fang Daily on 3 December reported that on the occasion of EVAW Day on 25 November, UNFPA China supported Professor Fang Gang, an advocate on gender and sexuality education in China, to launch an online campaign to call for Chinese men to pledge commitments on zero tolerance to violence against women on Sohu.com. Recommended by UNFPA and Partners for Prevention, Prof. Fang was invited by Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to be a member of the Network of Men Leaders as part of the SG’s UNiTE Campaign. This call-to-action on Sohu.com has generated media interests in gender-based violence (GBV) issues.
The in-depth report on Shanghai Daily looked into the root causes of GBV and interviewed Prof. Fang Gang, and Wen Hua, UNFPA China’s gender consultant. Wen Hu is quoted saying, “A majority of people still believe that domestic violence is a rare situation and only occurs at home. However, our survey (the UNFPA-supported research) found out that the prevalence of domestic violence is worrying. Most of the women who experience violence choose to keep silent and that is one of the greatest challenges in preventing and responding to domestic violence.” Relevant findings from the Change Project, supported by UNFPA China and Partners for Prevention, were also mentioned. Read in Chinese: JF Daily, JF Daily, Gongyi, Lady 163
CHINA: China Faces Population Challenges
CCTV News on 13 November reported on the 18th CPC National Congress. Mr. Arie Hoekman, UNFPA representative to China, was invited to attend a live show to discuss future population issues. This was part of the Shaping the Future programme series that CCTV News set up during the 18th Central Party Congress in China. He elaborated on the current situation of ageing in China, its impact on society and on individuals, as well as recommendations to deal with it from the perspectives of UNFPA. He was also quoted twice in the background documentary shown prior to the studio discussion. Watch in English: CCTV News, CCTV News, CCTV News, CCTV News
CHINA: Country Urged to Review One Child Policy
Radio Australia on 6 November reported that prior to the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, UNFPA's Mr. Arie Hoekman was interviewed on China’s family planning policy. He is quoted saying, “…(Ageing)….Might actually be proven to become a positive impact, if you were to look at it as a longevity dividend. But its more in terms of the underlying reproductive capacity of the society that in the end China will have to raise the question of how to deal with population policies and it may eventually have to come to the conclusion as many other countries have done in the past that it needs to devise policies that are actually conciliatory policies, policies that are meant to promote to encourage people to have the number of children that they would like to have in order to continue their reproductive roles in society.” Listen in English: Radio Australia
CHINA: Rural Elderly Need More Care
Global Times on 23 October reported that, "Arie Hoekman, the United Nations Population Fund's representative in China, said mass migration of younger adults to work in cities has dramatically increased the number of senior citizens in rural areas. 'The proportion of aging people in rural areas continues to increase at a higher rate than urban areas due to rural-urban migration of predominantly young people,' Hoekman told the Beijing symposium "Aging in the 21st Century: A Celebration and a Challenge." Older women are more likely to fall victim of discrimination, 'including poor access to jobs and healthcare, subject to abuse, denial of the right to own and inherit property, and lack of minimum income and social security' said Hoekman Monday. 'For every 100 women aged between 80 and 84, there are fewer than 80 men; and for every 100 women aged over 90, there are slightly fewer than 50 men,' Hoekman said." Read in English: Global Times
China.org.cn on 23 October quoted UNFPA, “‘Harnessing the contributions a socially and economically active, secure and healthy ageing population can bring to societies will be key to seize the opportunities, and strong political will and appropriate policies are needed to meet the increasing demands for income security, health and long-term care from the ageing population,’ said Arie Hoekman, UNFPA Representative in China.” Read in Chinese: China.org.cn
People's Daily Online on 23 October quoted UNFPA, "'Currently one in nine persons in the world ages 60 years or over. This is projected to increase to one in five by 2050. In china, one in three persons will be above 60 years old by then,' Arie Hoekman said during the event. He added that 'harnessing the contributions a socially and economically active, secure and healthy ageing population can bring to societies will be key to seize the opportunities, and strong political will and appropriate policies are needed to meet the increasing demands for income security, health and long-term care from the ageing population.' Read in Chinese: People's Daily Online and People's Daily Online
CHINA: National Day of Older Persons Celebrated
Multiple media outlets on 22-23 October reported that on the occasion of Chinese National Day of Older Persons, a symposium entitled “Ageing in the Twenty-First Century: A Celebration and a Challenge” was organized in Beijing on 22 October by UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, HelpAge International and the China National Committee on Ageing (CNCA). UNFPA's Arie Hoekman delivered a keynote speech and presented the global report on ageing during the symposium. Mr. Hoekman was heavily quoted in media. Read and watch in English: Xinhua News Agency, China Daily, CCTV, China.org.cn, CRI China Drive and Global Times Read in Chinese: The Beijing News, People's Daily, China Daily, Xinhua, Roll Sohu, Caijing Economy, China.org.cn , People's Daily Online and People's Daily Online
CHINA: International Sexual Health Education Among Youth Convened
Multiple media outlets reported on 27 September that at a seminar on sexual health education, Ms. Gao Cuiling, Assistant Representative of UNFPA China, delivered a presentation on how to promote creative sex education among youth, and shared with other participants the UNFPA-supported survey findings on youth access to sexual and reproductive health in China.
“Every young person has the right to comprehensive sexuality education, and access to youth-friendly reproductive health services,” said Ms. Gao Cuiling, Assistant Representative of UNFPA China. Ms. Cuiling pointed out that in China the massive migration, sex ratio at birth imbalance, radical changes in communication technology all have aggravated risks facing today’s youth and posed challenges in providing high quality and equitable services to them. She said that concerted efforts should be made by the government, enterprises, experts and schools to strengthen sexual health education among young people. Read in Chinese: Xinhua
CHINA: More Than 40 Percent of Chinese Teens Get Sex Info from Internet
Xinhua News Agency on 27 September reported that on the occasion of World Contraception Day, the UNFPA China office was invited to address a seminar on sexual health education among young people held by the China Population Communication Center in Beijing. Ms. Gao Cuiling, Assistant Representative of UNFPA China, delivered a presentation on how to promote creative sex education among youth, and shared with other participants the UNFPA-supported survey findings on youth access to sexual and reproductive health in China. Read in English: Xinhua News Agency
UNFPA China was quoted in the report. Gao Cuiling, assistant representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) China, said that concerted efforts should be made by the government, enterprises, experts and schools to strengthen teen sexual health education.
CHINA: Sex Education Needs Strengthening
Xinhua General News Service on 26 September reported that over 40 percent of Chinese teenagers surveyed said that they get their information about sex from the Internet. Gao Cuiling, assistant representative for UNFPA China, said that concerted efforts should be made by the government, enterprises, experts and schools to strengthen teen sexual health education.
GLOBAL: Continuing Coverage of World Population Day
BOTSWANA: The Botswana Gazette reported on 18 July that maternal health is a serious challenge for many women without access to sexual and reproductive health services the world over. Speaking during World Population Day, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Representative Aisha Camara-Drammeh said besides sexual and reproductive health being a critical part of sustainable development, it is a basic human right which every woman should have. She said worldwide, 222 million women who wish to delay pregnancy have no access to contraceptives. This unmet need for family planning contributes to 21 million unplanned births, 79,000 maternal deaths and 1.1 million infant deaths. She also said the challenges have resulted in almost 800 women dying globally during pregnancy or due to childbirth complications which could have otherwise been prevented, while around 20 more suffer long-lasting illnesses or disabilities also related to pregnancy. Furthermore, she revealed that every year, 19 million unsafe abortions occur in developing countries resulting in 47,000 deaths of the women involved. Accentuating the importance of reproductive health services with particular focus on improving maternal health, Assistant Minister of Health Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri said Botswana had made strides in improving maternal health countrywide. He said associated indicators from the Botswana Family Health Survey, 2007 have shown the Ante Natal Care coverage and assisted delivery by skilled personnel to be at 94% and 95% respectively while the Contraceptive Prevalence Rate was at 52.8%. Read in English: Botswana Gazette
BURKINA FASO: Le pays on 16 July published an article on the celebration of World Population Day. The paper said that the acting Representative of UNFPA Pascal Karorero, who read the speeches of the Executive Director of UNFPA, affirmed its commitment to act with all partners to ensure universal access to reproductive health. The representative of the Minister of Economy and Finance, appealed to all political authorities, traditional and religious, with development partners, the private sector, civil society organizations and the entire population for a greater synergy of action for achieving "universal access to reproductive health services." Read in French: Le Pays
CHINA: Beijing News on 17 July reported on a UNFPA China sponsored, week-long peer educators’ training camp organized by China Family Planning Association (CFPA) and China Youth Network from 10-15 July. This was the first national peer educators training led by young people. Two trainers from Y-peer in Asia were invited to the training which had 60 participants from all over China. UNFPA China provided technical support to the workshop as one of its planned activities in the youth programme. Media were invited to cover the 2012 World Population Day Event with the theme of “Voices of Youth, Initiative of Cooperation” which kicked off the training. UNFPA prepared a press release with key messages focusing on youth issues. Beijing News, a popular and influential newspaper featured a photo story on 17 July, highlighting young people learning and talking about sexual and reproductive health issues which are normally not openly discussed in public. The report was picked up by many on-line media.
The article quoted UNFPA Representative Mr. Arie Hoekman, "Every young person has the right to comprehensive sexuality education, and access to youth-friendly reproductive health services. With the right policies, investments and social support, young people can enjoy healthier lives free of poverty, violence and exploitation." UNFPA-supported survey findings on youth access to sexual and reproductive health were also quoted. Read in Chinese: Beijing News, News 163 and News ca315
COSTA RICA: Different media reported from 11 to 17 July about an investigation carried out by UNFPA on the acceptability of the female condom, which was conducted in two districts of the country as part of the celebrations for World Population Day. “We gave female condoms to women in two counties, so they could use them for about three weeks, then we measured their level of satisfaction with the method, and indeed the results are very interesting because it shows that a large proportion of women (over 60%), were satisfied and are willing to use it again,” said Laura Sanchez, UNFPA’s specialist, who added that universal access to reproductive health services is a priority. The female condom is not available in Costa Rica. Listen in Spanish: Programa Nuestra Voz, Radio ADN, Radio Nacional Watch in Spanish: Entrevista Telenoticias, Canal 7, Canal 13, Canal 44, RTN Noticias, NC Once , Nota Telenoticias Read in Spanish: Diario Extra, Al Día, La Prensa Libre, La Nación, La Teja.
CUBA: Multiple media outlets reported between 16 and 22 July on UNFPA's World Population Day celebrations, dedicated to universal access to reproductive health. Jesus Robles, International Coordinator of the UNFPA Program in Cuba and Rolando Garcia, UNFPA Assistant Representative in Cuba were both mentioned in media. Read in Spanish: SEMlac Cuba and Granma Internacional
EGYPT: Multiple media outlets from 10-12 July reported on World Population Day in Egypt. These outlets included: The Egyptian Gazette, Watani, Almasry Alyoum, Al Hayat, Al Ahram, Al Youm 7, Al Watan, Al Mougaz, Al Ahram, Akher Sa3a, Egypt Independent, Middle East News Agency, Ahram Messay, Shorouk, Sada el Balad, Misr el Mahrousa, Masrawy, Al sha3b, Maktoob News and Akhbar al Youm. Over 20 articles were written and 5 TV interviews were recorded. UNFPA launched the documentary "The Tuk-Tuk Nurse-Midwife, Reducing Maternal Mortality in Upper-Egypt" to mark the occasion. UNFPA Director Dr. Magdy Khaled is quoted in several of the articles. Read in English: Egypt Independent, Al Ahram Read in Arabic: Al Youm and Watani
GUINEA-BISSAU: Nô Pintcha reported on 19 July on the celebration of World Population Day. Special focus was placed on the publication of data collected from the 2009 Population and Housing Census. The UN in Guinea-Bissau called on the government and the country’s decision makers to effectively utilize the data collected from the Census 2009 to make the most efficient investments to meet the needs and circumstances of the population and help lift people out of poverty. The Prime Minister, the UNFPA Representative and the UN System Coordinator, highlighted the importance of collecting data as a planning tool for development in their speeches.
JAMAICA: The Gleaner on 16 July reported that, Geetha Sethi, director at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), says protecting the rights of the nation's youth population is critical to the country's development. "One of immediate concern is the rights of the convention of the child, which states that all children should be able to live a life free of threats of violence or abuse of any kind," she said. Speaking at the World Population Day 2012 Symposium at Emancipation Park in St Andrew, Sethi said the young are the country's biggest asset and thus good health is a necessity. Read in English: The Gleaner
The Jamaica Observer reported on 18 July on the World Population Day Symposium organized by UNFPA and the Planning Institute of Jamaica to mark the day. The Symposium, which was held under the the theme: "Adolescent Reproductive Health, It's Your Right...Claim it with Responsibility!" featured edutainment, entertainment, giveaways, booth displays and panel discussions. Speaking on a panel, which looked at the history of reproductive health services in Jamaica, President of the Jamaica Family Planning Association, Sonia Ffolkes called for greater emphasis on the teaching of sex education in the school curriculum. She said it was incongrous that the age of consent is 16 "yet there is strong opposition from certain quarters from having sex education in schools." Read in English: Jamaica Observer
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY: Multiple media outlets on 18 July reported on World Population Day celebrations that took place with a special message “universal access to reproductive health services,” in both Ramallah and the Gaza Strip simultaneously.
In coordination with the National Population Committee of the Ministry of Planning and Administrative Development (MoPAD) and the Ministry of Health, with the cooperation of Ibn Sina Nursing College and Nursing and Midwifery Syndicate, Ramallah celebrations underlined the importance of the role of midwifery “….despite vagueness of this profession, calling for their training due to their affective role will convince the Palestinian society of its importance as a profession“ Ms. Barbara Piazza-Georgi, UNFPA Representative, said.
In Gaza, Dr. Said Hammouz, Ministry of Health, commended the work UNFPA is implementing to promote the role of midwives through its continuous support to Ibn Sina College for Health Sciences, as well as the Ministry’s commitment in reaching the MDG 4 in reducing maternal deaths and access to reproductive health services. Read in Arabic: Al-quds, AL-AYYAM, Alhayat, Maan News, Wafa, PANET, PalShabab, Shasha, Al Watan Voice, PNN Arabic, Raya, Maan News, QudsNet, Amad, Alnahar News, Aswar Press, Ekhbaryat
In addition, to emphasize the role of midwives in Palestinian society and underline World Population Day's message, a billboard was placed at the Huwwara Checkpoint with a special message reading, "If a mother gives life, a midwife gives safe motherhood."
PARAGUAY: Prensa Indígena reported on 17 July that during the World Population Day event, organized by Presencia Joven, the Senior Advisor for Advocacy and Communication UNFPA said that to realize universal access to family planning services and progress towards MDG 5 is to work on a par with young people. She added that in Itapúa, 40% of the 300 pregnancies that occur every month are to adolescents. This is a reality that moves us and we are supporting various actions that are priorities for the country. Read more in Spanish: Prensa Indígena
SUDAN: El Genaina, on 16 July ran a news report on ongoing preparations for Sudan’s celebration of World Population Day. The Wali, Mr. Haidar Galucuma Ateem, and Mr. Bahar Idris Abu-Garda, the Federal Minister of Health, addressed the event which was organized by the State Ministry of Health in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Mr. Ahmed Is-haq Yagoub, the State Minister of Health, said the celebration aimed to highlight the issues and problems that affect the State residents, look into solutions through different means and create partnerships with relevant parties. The programme included a blood donation campaign to save the lives of mothers and children and a seminar for the leaders of different institutions on the issues related to maternal and new-born health.
El Genaina, on 17 July ran a news report on the World Population Day celebration that took place in El Genaina. Mr. Bahar Idris Abu-Garda, Federal Minister of Health, along with Mr. Haidar Galucuma Ateem, Wali of West Darfur, a number of government officials and UN agencies, INGOs and NGOs representatives, witnessed the celebration organized by the State Ministry of Health in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) under the theme; “Integration of reproductive health services .. guarantee to build a happy family.” Addressing the ceremony, Mr. Abu-Garda stressed the importance of the participation of the community to raise awareness on the issues related to reproductive health and reaffirmed the readiness of his ministry to provide integrated health services and supporting training programs for health cadres in order to play their role properly among the community. He stated that the efforts being exerted by the Ministry of health have contributed to the reduction of maternal mortality [in Sudan].
Al Sahafa on 17 July ran a report on Sudan’s World Population Day celebration. Federal Minster of Health, Bahar Idris Abu Garda addressed Sudan’s celebration of World Population Day asserting that reproductive health is a main component of primary health care. He highlighted that improving reproductive health services requires training of health cadres, awareness-raising among women and families in addition to having in place effective referral mechanisms to save both mother and new-born lives. Dr. Anas Jabir Babiker addressed the event on behalf of Pamela Delargy, UNFPA Representative to Sudan. Dr. Babiker said official statistics show 28% of Sudanese women would like to space their children but have no access to information and services which necessitates more efforts by partners to make these services available. He further asserted that integrated and emergency reproductive health service during pregnancy and at birth and voluntary child spacing will enable Sudanese women to better contribute to the development of the country. Read in Arabic: Al Sahafa
Sudan Vision on 19 July published half-a-page report on Sudan’s celebration of World Population Day. Celebrations for World Population Day kicked off in the West Darfur capital, El Genaina. The event was organized by the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with the state Ministry of Health and the United Nations Population Fund. Federal Minister of Health, Bahar Idris Abu Garda, was quoted as saying the Ministry continues to promote family planning which does not mean determining the number of children but rather means spacing their birth. He invoked different community sectors to raise awareness about the dangers of successive births especially for girls under 18 years of age. The celebration included a blood donation campaign and a seminar for leaders under the theme of “Population is the basis for development .. Let’s improve Reproductive Health Services” Reproductive health concepts, indicators and programs were discussed and participants came out with a set of recommendations. Read in English: Sudan Vision
YEMEN: 14 October on 18 July published a one-page report reflecting on the theme of World Population Day and the role of UNFPA in this regard. The report discussed reproductive health (RH) issues and its connection with UNFPA’s vision and strategies. The report quoted UNFPA many times when talking about RH issues such as unmet needs, abortion and family planning methods. Read in Arabic: 14 October, 14 October
AL-Thawarah reported on 18 July on the celebration of World Population Day and quoted the UNFPA Representative's speech. In the same page there was another article which was on reproductive health and it mentioned UNFPA’s theme for World Population Day “improved access to reproductive health services.”
GLOBAL: World Population Day
ALGERIA: Le Soir d'Algerie, El Moudjahid and Horizons on 12 July reported on the country's World Population Day celebration which took place in the National Institute of Public Health with the participation of the Minister of Health Dr. Djamel Ould Abbes and the UNFPA Representative. According to UNFPA, family planning is a basic human right. However, it remains meaningless unless individuals and couples have access to contraceptives, information and services to enable them to exercise that right. We have to meet the needs of the 222 million women who want to delay or avoid pregnancy but have no access to modern contraceptives. Read in French: Le Soir d'Algerie, El Moudjahid and Horizons
ARMENIA: Multiple media outlets reported on 11 July on World Population Day and the event organized by UNFPA Armenia to mark it. Garik Hayrapetyan, UNFPA Armenia Assistant Representative, addressed the participants in his welcome notes. Following the introduction, Meri Khachikyan, Director of "For Family and Health" the Pan-Armenian Association NGO, made a presentation on "Key Factors Influencing Contraceptive Behavior in Eastern Europe and Central Asia." The presentation covered a 2011 study conducted in seven countries of the region, including Armenia, which was aimed at increasing the understanding of the low use of modern contraception and the key factors influencing contraceptive behavior in the region. Read in English: Public Radio of Armenia, Ankakh.com, A1plus News, Panorama.am, Lurer.com. Read in Russian: 7 Days News, Armenpress News Agency, Slaq.am, Panorama.am. Read in Armenian: 7 Days News, 7 Days News, Panorama.am, Panorama.am, Aysor.am, MediaLab, Henaran Press Club, Armenpress News Agency, Armenpress News Agency, Lurer.com, A1plus News, Ankakh.com, Hraparak Daily. Listen in Armenian: Radio Liberty
AZERBAIJAN: AzerTAc reported on 11 July that UNFPA and he Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Azerbaijan conducted a round table devoted to the “Role of Communication in Access to Reproductive Health Services.” The event was chaired by the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Elmira Suleymanova and the UN Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan, Fikret Akcura.
Mr. Akcura commended the economic advance and the high pace with which Azerbaijan was resolving poverty at the national level, hereby investing in human capital, as well as furthering gender equality and other MDG targets. As the UNFPA Representative in Azerbaijan, he reemphasized the importance of proper communication and dissemination of unbiased, evidence-based information on reproductive health and family planning services. The high-ranked representatives from the Ministry of Health, National Reproductive Health Office (NRHO), the State Committee on Family, Women and Children Affairs, the Ministry of Youth and Sport, and other long-standing partners of UNFPA once again thanked the organization for its technical assistance in realization of the advanced programmes in the country targeting the unmet RH/FP needs of the population. Read in Azerbaijani: AzerTAc
BANGLADESH: The Daily Star on 11 July published an op-ed by UNFPA Representative Arthur Erken on World Population Day urging an increase in family planning. "So yes, Bangladesh has done remarkably well when it comes to reducing its population growth rate, and in reducing the number of children a woman has these days. But, providing universal access to quality family planning information and services to all those who want to plan their families remains the greatest unfinished agenda of Bangladesh! So, on this World Population Day, let us redouble our efforts to make family planning again our top priority" he said. Read in English: Daily Star
The Daily Star on 12 July reported that as a result of the government's move to control overpopulation, 60 percent of women across the country have access to family planning. However the Prime Minister's Adviser for Health and Family Welfare Affairs Syed Modasser Ali noted that, “Although we have brought sixty percent women under the family planning services in order to reduce birth rate, we can not claim it as a success because we have to ensure hundred percent success." He was the chief guest at a discussion to mark World Population Day. UNFPA Representative in Bangldesh Arthur Erken also addressed the programme. Read in English: Daily Star
Gulf Times, News Today, UNF Connect and The Daily Star on 8-13 July published stories on a parliamentary debate competition jointly organized by UNFPA Bangladesh and Debate for Democracy to mark World Population Day and foster discussion of population issues amongst youth. Eight renowned schools from Dhaka took part in the competition, while 800 students enjoyed the competition. UNFPA Bangladesh Representative Arthur Erken is quoted saying, “Over the period of three decades, the total fertility rate has come down from 7 to 2.3. But, as 1/4th of the populace is young, they should have sufficient knowledge and skills on adolescent sexual reproductive health." Read in English: Gulf Times, News Today, UNB Connect and The Daily Star
BELIZE: Channel 5 on 11 July broadcast a TV programme, Open Your Eyes, featuring Erika Goldson, Assistant Representative in Belize for UNFPA. She discussed the intricacies of World Population Day and the activities taking place in Belize. Read in English: Channel 5 and LoveFM
BENIN: Multiple media outlets on 11 and 12 July reported that the United Nations Population Fund, in cooperation with the Benin Government, celebrated World Population Day under the theme "Universal Access to Reproductive Health Services," at Djakotomey. This municipality has one of the lowest rates of contraception use (1.6 % according to the sanitary statistics of 2011).
BOLIVIA: Multiple media outlets reported on 11 July that UNFPA Bolivia celebrated World Population Day in close coordination with the Ministry of Health. A new plan to reduce maternal mortality was launched. The main event took place in La Paz, with similar local presentations in the cities of Cochabamba, Sucre and Potosi. Jaime Nadal, UNFPA Representative, highlighted the need for universal access to reproductive health in order to achieve MDG 5. Read in Spanish: Página Siete, La Razón, Los Tiempos, Los Tiempos, Opinión, Correo del Sur, Gaia Noticias, Jornada, ERBOL, ERBOL, PIEB, Radio FM Bolivia, Radio FM Bolivia, El Diario, El Deber, Bolivia.com, Infanciahoy.com, peopledaily.com, Opinion, La Razon
BRAZIL: Jornal do Brasil and other outlets reported on 11 July that the United Nations celebrated World Population Day by calling for more action in the area of reproductive health. UNFPA Executive, Director Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, stressed that 222 million women who do not want to become pregnant have no access to contraceptives. Lack of access to reproductive health continues to cause deaths for women of reproductive age. Dr. Osotimehin also said that 1.8 billion young people worldwide have no access to information and services while making decisions about reproductive health. Read in Portuguese: Jornal do Brasil and Sidneyrezende
BURKINA FASO: Observateur Paalga on 12 July reported on World Population Day celebrations in Burkina Faso. According to the newspaper, the acting representative of UNFPA, Pascal Karorero, who delivered the message of UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, said that, "it is time for leaders to renew their commitment to ensure universal access to services for reproductive health, especially to voluntary family planning." The newspaper said that the technical advisor to the Minister of Economy and Finance, who chaired the ceremony, called on all actors in society to work for the theme of the day, "Universal access to reproductive health services" a reality.
CHINA: Multiple media outlets reported on 11 July on World Population Day and its theme of "Universal Access to Reproductive Health Services." Read in Chinese: Xinhua Net
CNTV English Channel and CNTV Chinese reported on 11 July on the Asian Symposium on Building Sustainable Aging Society convened in Changchun of Jilin Province on 5 July. Mr Arie Hoekman, Representative of UNFPA China, attended the opening ceremony and selected sessions. He was interviewed by national media during the meeting and quoted saying, "China’s population is ageing more rapidly than most countries in the world. France has doubled its aged population, which is over 60 years old, to 14% from 7% within 115 years, in Sweden within 85 years. But China made it in only 27 years. It is estimated that there will be 332 million people over the age of 60 in China in 2050. Such severe ageing problems require improvement and diversity of community retirement services for the elderly."
The story was broadcasted as a major piece on the World Population Day on 11 July on CCTV. Watch in English: CNTV Watch in Chinese: CNTV Chinese
Sohu on 11 July a UNFPA China sponsored World Population Day event entitled, "Voices of Youth, Initiative of Cooperation” co-organized by the China Family Planning Association (CFPA) and China Youth Network in Shenzhen on 10 July. Mr. Arie Hoekman, Representative of UNFPA China attended the opening ceremony and gave a speech. Local media outlets were invited and a joint press release was prepared. Mr. Hoekman was quoted saying, “Every young person has the right to comprehensive sexuality education, and access to youth-friendly reproductive health services. With the right policies, investments and social support, young people can enjoy healthier lives free of poverty, violence and exploitation.” UNFPA-supported survey findings on youth access to sexual and reproductive health were provided to the media. Read in Chinese: Sohu, Oeee, and China.com
CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE: Tele-Congo reported on 12 July on the celebration of World Population Day on 11 July in Kinkala, in the Pool region, and specifically on a debate on Universal access to reproductive health. UNFPA Representative, David Lawson, and Health Minister Chief of Staff, Alexandre Alumba, were keynote speakers at this event. While outlining progress made in Congo on maternal mortality reduction over the past three years, Mr. Lawson called on the government for free family planning services in Congo. He said, "while free c-section has brought tremendous progress in maternal health, free family planning would enhance further this positive trend and help reach MDG5." Watch in French: Daily Motion
Tele-Congo and DRTV broadcast on 11 July the UNFPA Executive Director's message on World Population Day delivered by UNFPA Representative in Congo David Lawson. In line with the London Summit on Family Planning, the message focuses on this year's theme “Universal Access to Reproductive Health” and calls for greater action on family planning to reduce maternal mortality. Watch in French: Daily Motion
CUBA: Multiple media reported on 12 July on the celebrations of World Population Day in Cuba dedicated to universal access to reproductive health. The media published reports organized by the Scientific Scrub Cuban School of Public Health (ENSAP) and about the intervention of Jesus Robles, International Coordinator of the UNFPA Program in Cuba. Read in Spanish: Granma, Juventud Rebelde, CubaAhora, Radio Reloj, Revista Mujeres
Several media outlets on 11 July reported that the celebration of World Population Day in Cuba, promoted by UNFPA, was an opportunity to reflect on long-term population dynamics on the island and the challenges it poses to society. Cuba’s low fertility and rapid ageing process pose challenges to the island’s sustainable development. Read in Spanish: Revista Mujeres, Telecrentro Solvision, Tribuna de La Habana
Emisora CMHW reported on 10 July that Rolando Garcia Quiñones, Cuba's Assistant Representative of UNFPA, said youth participation is crucial to the success of the Greater Antilles in the field of sexual and reproductive health and protection of vulnerable demographic sectors. Read in Spanish: Emisora CMHW
DENMARK: Berlingske Tidende on 11 July published a joint op-ed by the Chief of UNFPA Nordic Office Pernille Fenger and Executive Director of the Danish Family Planning Association Bjarne B. Christensen. In the op-ed they discussed the realities of poor, young women not being able to decide when to have children. They point to the fact that with concerted efforts poor countries have obtained remarkable results in meeting women’s rights. The op-ed was a lead up to the London Summit on Family Planning. Read in Dutch: Berlingske Tidende
U-landsnyt.dk on 11 July published a joint press release by the UNFPA Nordic Office and the Danish FPA on the London Summit on Family Planning, with quotes from the Danish Minister for Development Corporation Christian Friis Bach, Chief of UNFPA Nordic Office, Pernille Fenger and Executive Director of the Danish FPA Bjarne B. Christensen. The release highlights the goal of meeting the needs of 120 million women and the renewed focus on family planning which the London Summit is an indication of. Read in Dutch: U-landsnyt.dk
Berlingske Tidende on 11 July, as well as several regional newspapers, published an article on a new large-scale initiative to give 120 million women access to contraception. The article quotes UNFPA's Executive Director stating that, “there is no excuse, neither cultural nor religious, that women should not be able to use contraception.” Read in Dutch: Berlingske Tidende, Berlingske Tidende, and JV.dk
Information on 11 July featured an article on the numbers from adding it up and the information – including a quote from the Chief of the UNFPA Nordic Office – on the London Summit. Read in Dutch: Information
Information on 11 July mentioned UNFPA and the London Summit in a human interest story. Read in Dutch: Information
Kristeligt Dagblad on 13 July reported on the outcome of the London Summit and quotes the Chief of the UNFPA Nordic Office (based on an interview conducted 12 July). In addition to telling about the commitments made at the conference, the article discusses how this renewed focus on family planning, the significant commitments by developing countries themselves and the involvement of a Catholic woman like Melinda Gates may serve to alleviate the controversy and add a more pragmatic approach to the subject.
EL SALVADOR: Multiple media outlets reported on World Population, and UNFPA-related activities around the theme of "Universal Access to Reproductive Health Services." Read in Spanish: La Prensa Gráfica, Equilibrium, Diario CoLatino (news 1), Diario CoLatino (news 2) and Website of the Institute of Youth in El Salvador - CONJUVE
Diario CoLatino on 12 July that this World Population Day, UNFPA stressed its speech on universal access to reproductive health services as an important goal for human development. Read in Spanish: Diario CoLatino and Diario CoLatino
La Prensa Grafica on 12 July reported that UNFPA celebrated World Population Day by remembering the day of 7 billion. Read in Spanish: La Prensa Grafica
La Palabra Universitaria on 13 July reported that UNFPA and the Ministry of Health celebrated World Population Day by focusing on the need for univeral access to reproductive health services. Read in Spanish: La Palabra Universitaria
UNFPA collaborated with several partners to publish pieces on World Population Day. Read in Spanish: Caminando hacia la Igualdad Sustantiva, INJUVE and Instituto Salvadoreno Del Seguro Social
ETHIOPIA: The Daily Monitor on 12 July reported that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for more to be done to help those who most need access to reproductive health care. “I call for urgent concerted action by member states to bridge the gap between demand and supply for reproductive health care,” Mr. Ban said.
“Reproductive health and rights are integral to sustainable development and poverty reduction. Investing in universal access to reproductive health is a crucial investment in healthy societies and a more sustainable future,” he added.
The theme for this year is ‘Universal access to Reproductive Health Services,’ aimed at highlighting the essential part that reproductive health plays in creating a just and equitable world. “Working for the survival and the well-being of women and girls is a human right imperative. And in order to take advantage of women’s full potential in the development of their nations, they must be able to plan their lives and families,” the Executive Director of the UN Population Fund Babatunde Osotimehin said.
GABON: Multiple media outlets reported on 11 July on the celebrations of World Population Day, held in Libreville. UNFPA Representative Nadir Hadj-Hammou, Vice Health Minister Alice Bikissa Nembe and Social Affairs Honorine Nzet Bitheghe made statements on the theme of the day "Universal access to reproductive health." The Vice Health Minister affirmed that this matter was among President Bongo's priorities. Mr. Hammou lamented that, despite its resources, the country had a maternal mortality (519 deaths for 100,000 live births) above the African average rate. He called for the need to strengthen efforts to address the family planning needs of 222 million women willing to avoid or delay pregnancy and reduce maternal mortality.
GEORGIA:Multiple media outlets reported on 11-13 July on World Population Day and published the message for World Population Day 2012 made by UNFPA's Executive Director, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin. Georgia Today interviewed Tamar Khomasuridze, UNFPA/Georgia assistant representative, focusing on the theme of universal access to reproductive health services in Georgia. According to her, in recent years, Georgia has made considerable progress with regard to improving capacity to provide reproductive health services and that universal access to reproductive health services, in some parts of Georgia, has now come close to reaching the Millendium Development Goals targets by 2015. The Assistant Representative also spoke about the major achievements, namely the results of the Georgia Reproductive Health Survey 2010, that showed the improvements in the reproductive health status of the population. In particular, for the first time since 1999, the birth-rate has surpassed the abortion rate in Georgia. Read in English: Georgia Today, Georgia Today and Inter Press News Read in Georgian: Radio Tavisupleba
GUATEMALA: Various national media on 11 July reported on public activities to commemorate World Population Day and that family planning is a key factor to achieving the objectives of the governmental program, "Zero Hunger," which fights chronic malnutrition among the poorest families in the country. The media also referred to the number of pregnancies in girls and adolescents, a reality that leads to malnutrition and the decreased development for adolescent girls. UNFPA Representative Leonor Calderón is mentioned in several pieces. Read in Spanish:Prensa Libre, Siglo 21,La Hora, La Hora, Diario de Centroamérica, CERIGUA, CERIGUA (Nota Babatunde Osotimehin), EDG Noticias
GUINEA: Goha Guinee on 10 July reported on a family planning advocacy day for religious authorities. Prior to World Population Day, the workshop brought together twenty imams, religious leaders and administrative authorities of Labe. On this occasion, verses from the Koran promoting family planning were identified. The participants proposed activities and committed themselves to promote family planning at meetings and during social ceremonies. Read in French: Goha Guinee
GUYANA: Stabroek News on 12 July published a story on the launch of a new report recommending the upgrade of government-run hospitals performing deliveries in order to boost maternal and newborn care. The report, lauch 11 July, under the theme “Universal Access to Reproductive Health Services,” at the Ocean View Convention Centre, East Coast Demerara, coincided with World Population Day. The report, which gives a detailed assessment of all maternity facilities in Guyana during the year 2010, was supported by non-governmental organisations such as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Pan American Health Organisa-tion (PAHO) among others. Read in English: Stabroek News and Guyana Chronicle
INDONESIA: Mediaindonesia.com on 11 July reported that, “the level of maternal and infant mortality in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province is far higher than the average of national rate. In 2011, the MMR was reported at 306 per 100,000 live births, well above the national figure of 228. UNFPA Representative, Mr. Jose Ferraris, said that the high level of MMR and IMR have driven UNFPA to focus its programmes in NTT to address issues related to mother and child health. UNFPA works in three programmes of family planning revitalization, improving the universal access to reproductive health in general and implementing a model for friendly health service for youth and adolescents. “ Read in Indonesian: Mediaindonesia.com
The Jakarta Post on 12 July reported that “The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) will assist the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) administration to provide reproductive health services for teens, aged 15 to 19, following a recent report by the Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey (SDKI) that only 45.4 per cent of married teens had access to contraception. “There are many cases that young women who get married early still face discrimination. There are even women who get pregnant before marriage and do not have access to basic health services, as they are the black sheep of the family,” said Moudy Taopan of UNFPA’s Youth Advisory Panel (YAP), on Wednesday."
Mediaindonesia.com on 12 July reported “men’s participation in family planning through condom usage remains low in Indonesia, as the condom is still associated with a negative connotation (of having extra marital sex). This perception is just one of many other misperceptions in the area of reproductive sex such as that providing reproductive health service to young people will lead to increasing their sexual activities, said UNFPA Representative Jose Ferraris in a seminar on Universal Access to Reproductive Health Services held to commemorate World Population Day in Indonesia. The seminar took place in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara on Wednesday, 11 July. Read in Indonesian: Mediaindonesia.com
Timorexpress.com on 13 July reported that, “World Population Day is celebrated this day each year by UN member states around the world to focus attention on the urgency and importance of issues related to population. This year’s theme of “Universal Access to Reproductive Health Services” was selected to accelerate progress and reenergize commitments toward achievement of this goal. UNFPA Representative, Jose Ferraris, said in his speech for the opening ceremony in Ima Hotel in Kupang on Wednesday, 11 July, that based on the population structure in Indonesia, the number of people aged 15-29 accounted at 126 million people at the moment. This number means opportunity but also challenge for the country.” Read in Indonesian: Timorexpress.com
ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN: Multiple media outlets from 2 July on reported on World Population Day events including speeches by the Minister of Health and Medical Education, the Deputy Minister of Health and UNFPA's Ms. Soudabeh Ahmadzadeh. Read in Farsi: Ghatreh, Ghatreh, IRNA, Ghatreh, IRNA, Ghatreh, Ghatreh, Ghatreh, Salamat News, Salamat News, Salamat News
JAMAICA: Multiple media outlets from 10-15 July reported on World Population observance in Jamaica. In her opening remarks at a symposium celebrating the day, Director of the UNFPA Sub-regional Office for the Caribbean Ms. Geeta Sethi, urged governments to invest in reproductive health services. “People are the most important resource of a country and given the Caribbean’s large youth population, half of which is below 25 years old, special emphasis must be placed on meaningful investment in young people’s education, health, and in equipping them to make responsible choices,” she stated. Several print and electronic media covered the event including the Jamaica Observer, the Gleaner, and the Jamaica Information Service. Read in English: Jamaica Observer, Jamaica Information Service, Jamaica Information Service, Jamaica Observer and Jamaica Observer
JORDAN: Al Rai, Petra News Agency and multiple news agencies reported on 11 July that Jordan joined the world in celebrating World Population Day 2012. Media outlets talked about this year's theme and how UNFPA Jordan is working with the Government of Jordan to achieve greater access to reproductive health services.
The articles concluded with a quotation of Dr. Osotimehin, “Today, as we commemorate World Population Day, it is time to re-energize our commitment to universal access to reproductive health services, especially family planning services. This commitment is as relevant today as it was when world leaders made it at the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo.” Read in Arabic: Al Rai, Petra News Agency, Ammon News, Almadenah News, Al Arabiya, Jordanzad.
KYRGYZSTAN: CentralAsia, KNEWS, 24KG, VB, Akipress reported on 11 July that UNFPA held a press conference with the participation of the Resident Coordinator and a representative of the Ministry of Health. “Availability of affordable life-saving medicines, contraceptives and other essential health supplies is a vital part of well-functioning health systems that can serve people in an equitable manner,” said Alexander Avanessov, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Kyrgyz Republic. “Access to voluntary family planning alone can also reduce unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and maternal deaths and disabilities, saving women's lives and those of their children,” added Mr. Avanessov.
In Kyrgyzstan, the young segment aged 14 to 28 represent 30.2% of the whole population. In this context, it is crucial to invest in young people’s health and education, improve access to sexual reproductive health services and age-appropriate, friendly services. “When young people can exercise their right to health and education, and have a decent job, they can contribute to improving their nations and escape poverty,” said Alexander Avanessov. Read in Russian: 24KG, Namba, 24KG, Namba, Centrasia, VB, KNEWS, KNEWS, 24KG, 24KG, Akipress
LIBERIA: The Daily Observer on 13 July reported that the Chairman of the Liberia Traditional Council, at a World Population Day celebration, has cautioned youth not to engage in risky sexual behaviour. UNFPA-Liberia’s Resident Representative, Esperance Fundira, read a message on behalf of UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin at the event. Read in English: Daily Observer
The Inquirer on 11 July reported that UNFPA has disclosed that teenage pregnancy in Liberia stands at 38 per cent; unmet needs for family planning stand at 36 per cent while conceptive prevalence is only 11 per cent. Read in English: The Inquirer
The Inquirer on 13 July reported that according to the United Nations 2012 report, Trends in maternal mortality, Liberia's maternal mortality ratio has reduced from 994 out of every 100,000 live births to 770 out of every 100,000 live births, down by 224. UNFPA UNFPA Representative, Esperance Fundira, speaking during the Observance of World Population Day said, “To make greater progress, every woman needs access to basic package of reproductive health services.” Read in English: The Inquirer
The News on 13 July reported that, while speaking at a one-day World Population Day seminar organized by the National Lutheran Church Women Fellowship in Monrovia, UNFPA representative Madam Fundira said the choice one makes in his/her life in the bearing of children determines their future and should not be blamed on the civil war in Liberia. Read in English: The News
The News reported on 12 July that more than 800 women died daily in pregnancy or childbirth from complications that are very often preventable, the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr. Babatunde Osotinmehin has revealed. Read in English: The News
The Informer on 12 July reported that UNFPA has lauded what it calls Liberia's progress in reducing maternal mortality in the country. UNFPA Liberia Resident Representative, Esperance Fundira, made the commendation yesterday at the program marking the 2012 World Population Day held at the SKD complex outside Monrovia. Read in English: The Informer
Front Page on 12 July reported that the Resident Representative of the United Nations Population Fund has expressed alarmed over the high level of unwanted pregnancies in Liberia. Read in English: Front Page
MEXICO: More than 50 media outlets such as Excelsior, La Jornada, Reforma, CNN México, El Universal, Milenio, Cronica, Pulsoslp, , Noticias Yahoo, Info7, El Arsenal, OEM, el Golfo, Síntesis, Informativo Chiapas, Chiapas Hoy, El Heraldo de Chiapas, Expreso Chiapas, El Pendulo de Chiapas, Cuarto Poder, Tabasco Hoy, Quadratin, Cambio de Michoacan, El mundo de Córdoba, Noticias Terra, Vocero Quintana Roo, Diario La Verdad, Rotativo, Pulso DF reported on the several activities, such as a press conference, journalist workshop and study tour to a project in Chiapas organized by UNFPA Mexico, on the occasion of the World Population Day. Diego Palacios Jaramillo, UNFPA Mexico Representative pointed out that access to reproductive health should be a priority for the next Mexican government and for the international community as a whole. During the press conference he also mentioned that today, pregnancy and childbirth-related complications are the major cause of death among girls 10 to 19 years old in most developing countries, while the highest rates of sexually transmitted infections are among young people aged 15 to 24. Read in Spanish: Excelsior, La Jornada, Reforma, CNN México, El Universal, Milenio, Cronica, Pulsoslp, Noticias Yahoo, Info7, El Arsenal, OEM, el Golfo, Síntesis, Informativo Chiapas, Chiapas Hoy, El Heraldo de Chiapas, Expreso Chiapas, El Pendulo de Chiapas, Cuarto Poder, Tabasco Hoy, Quadratin, Cambio de Michoacan, El mundo de Córdoba, Noticias Terra, Vocero Quintana Roo, Diario La Verdad, Rotativo, Pulso DF, OEM, Guerrero, Ciudad y Poder, Jornada, Cuarto poder, Chiapas Hoy, Jornada, El Herald o de Chiapas, Es Diario, OEM, Noticias de Chiapas, Imparcial Chiapas, Diario de Chiapas, OEM, El Cuarto Deguerra, Yucatan, Yucatan, Diario Portal, Omnia, e-Tlaxcala, El Mundo, Jornada, Milenio, Reforma, Cuarto Poder, NL, Jornada, Comunicacion Chiapas
MOLDOVA: Radio Chisinau on 11 July reported on the UNFPA press conference organized in celebration of the World Population Day. The article talked about the demographic situation in Moldova as well as about reproductive health issues, especially on universal access to reproductive health services. Read in Romanian: Radio Chisinau.
24h.md reported on 11 July on the importance of reproductive health education as well as universal access to RH services and quoted Mr. Boris Gilca, UNFPA Assistant Representative in Moldova and other speakers at the conference several times. Read in Romanian: 24h.md
Pro TV Moldova reported on 11 July on the flash mob, Informed and Protected, organized by Y-Peers to inform people on reproductive and sexual health to prevent sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies. The demographic situation in the country was highlighted. Read in Romanian: Pro TV Moldova
Radio Free Europe on 11 July reported on the demographic crisis in Moldova, quoting Boris Gilca, UNFPA Assistant Representative in Moldova, on the issue. Read in Romanian: Radio Free Europe
Radio Free Europe on 11 July interviewed Mr. Mihai Moldovanu, deputy prime minister, Head of the National Commission for Population and Development, who participated in the UNFPA press conference on World Population Day, on the demographic situation in Moldova. Read in Romanian: Radio Free Europe
Teleradio Moldova on 11 July reported on WPD and the alarming statistics on the current issues presented by UNFPA Moldova. Read in Romanian: Teleradio Moldova
EuroTv on 11 July reported that the new priority of the Moldovan Government in population development is to provide access to reproductive health to the entire population. The Government wants to assure the access to reproductive Health Offices and Youth Friendly Service Clinics. Read in Romanian: EuroTV
Radio Free Europe on 12 July conducted an interview with Boris Gilca, UNFPA Assistant Representative in Moldova, on WPD and concerns about the demographic future of Moldova. Read in Romanian: Radio Free Europe
Privesc on 11 July broadcast a live transmission of the UNFPA World Population Day press conference. Watch in Romanian: Prevesc
View the widely broadcast video spots: YouTube1, YouTube2, YouTube3
MONGOLIA: The Mongol News on 4 July reported that the Ministry of Social Welfare and Labour, Ministry and Health and UNFPA in Mongolia jointly organized a press conference on World Population Day. The joint press release was printed in the UB Post on 9 July. The Mongolian version of the press release was published in the Unuudur Daily on 10 July.
MOROCCO: Le Soir on 11 July reported on UNFPA-supported activities for World Population Day.
MOZAMBIQUE: Radio Mocambique, TVM, STV, Lusa, and Angola Press reported on 11 and 12 July that the main commemoration of World Population Day in Mozambique was held in the district of Gongola, in the central province of Manica. All reports say that the event was led by UNFPA’s Representative, Bettina Maas, and Manica Governor, Ms. Ana Comoane. Ms. Maas is quoted by Lusa (Portuguese news agency) saying that there is a need (in Mozambique) to scale up reproductive health services, in particular family planning. “Everyone wishes to live in a world were delivering a baby is a sign of happiness for women, parents and family. We cannot continue living in a world were delivering a baby is a sign of uncertainty or something a family remembers sadly.” Read in Portugese: Noticias, and Portalangop
MYANMAR: The Myanmar Times on 9 July reported on a family planning conference convened in honor of World Population Day as part of a global push to improve access to family planning in developing countries. and the New Light of Myanmar on 12 July reported on World Population Day celebrations. UNFPA Representative Mohamed Abdel-Ahad is quoted saying, "By enabling young women to delay childbearing until they have achieved education and training, reproductive health services contribute toward improving women's social position and increasing their community and political participation."
The New Light of Myanmar on 12 July published an article on the commemorative ceremony held at Thingaha Hotel in honour of World Population Day. Mohamed Abdel Ahad, UNFPA representative spoke about UNFPA's activities in the country.
The New Light of Myanmar on 12 July published an article annoucing UNFPA is part of a coalition of organizations dedicated to improving maternal and child health globally and in Myanmar.
Mizzima on 11 July reported that the country will focus on women's health, family planning and contraceptives following a funding intiative by the UK’s development agency, the Department for International Development (DFID), Marie Stopes International, and UNFPA. A press briefing was organized in Naypyitaw to announce the commitment. Read in English: Mizzima
PARAGUAY: ABC Color on 7 July reported that on 10 July, to celebrate World Population Day, which this year has the theme "Universal access to reproductive health services," the initiative Presencia Joven, boys and girls working towards peer education, will organize an event in the Plaza de Armas. The event, also hosted by the NGO Kuna Roga, with support from UNFPA, will be held from 9:00 to 11:30 and 13:00 to 17:00. Read in Spanish: ABC Color
La Nación reported on 9 July that through theater, graffiti and various activities, adolescents and youth of the Presencia Joven will celebrate World Population Day. The event, held in the Plaza de Armas is driven by NGO Kuna Roga and has the support of UNFPA. Read in Spanish: La Nación
Radio Ñanduti on 13 July reported on the activity organized by Presencia Joven as part of the World Population Day in the city of Encarnación. The Advocacy and Communication Advisor for UNFPA Carolina Ravera, said on behalf of the Assistant Representative of this agency, Manuela Escobar, that "UNFPA would like to emphasize the theme before us today and really make everyone realize their right to information, services and supplies in sexual and reproductive health.” Read in Spanish: Radio Ñanduti
Portal Paraguayo de Noticias reported on 13 July that Sergio Gonzalez (16), a member of Presencia Joven, an organization of teens working in peer education and supported by UNFPA, organized a fun activity to celebrate World Population Day. Boys and girls were invited to come to the Plaza de Armas "so that together we reflect on our rights, especially when it comes to sexual and reproductive health.” Read more in Spanish: PPN
Itapúa en Noticias broadcast on 11 July, an interview with Sara González, a member of Presencia Joven, which, for World Population Day, organized with support from UNFPA, an event in the Plaza de Armas. During the day, adolescents, through activities such as games, theater and graffiti, shared information on sexual and reproductive health and promoting friendly health services in the city's hospital. Watch in Spanish: Itapúa en Noticias
PHILIPPINES: The Philippine Star on 13 July printed an editorial saying, “the theme of this year’s observance of World Population Day cannot be any more direct: “universal access to reproductive health care.” United Nations statistics show that every day around the world, nearly 800 women die of complications from pregnancy or childbirth. For every death, according to the UN Population Fund, 20 more women suffer debilitating childbirth injuries. UNFPA reported that in most developing countries, pregnancy and complications from childbirth are the leading causes of death of girls aged 10 to 19. The highest rates of sexually transmitted infections are recorded among youths aged 15 to 24 in developing countries, according to the UNFPA." Read in English: Philippine Star
The Inquirer on 12 July printed an opinion piece by Rina Jimenez-David. “In her statement issued on World Population Day last Wednesday, Senator Pia Cayetano appealed to everyone to “prioritize the plight and burden of Filipino mothers. They are the ones who risk their life to bear new life, carry the primary burden of ensuring the health, education and welfare of their children, and balance the family’s meager resources to survive from day to day.” Saying “the situation of our mothers has gone from bad to worse” with rising maternal death statistics, the senator said “any fair-minded legislator [should] support the enactment of the RH bill, which would allow mothers universal access to reproductive health services of the government.”” Read in English: The Inquirer
The Philippine Information Agency reported on 13 July that “the Department of Health (DOH) and the Commission on Population (PopCom) has pushed for universal access to Reproductive Health (RH) services and the utilization of family planning. RH problems remain as the leading cause of illnesses and death for women of childbearing age locally and globally. Maternal mortality rate in Cordillera based on the 2009 data, is 79 per 100,000 live births. PopCom, in partnership with DOH, spearheaded July 11’s Kapihan Media Forum in observance of the World Population Day 2012, which adopts the theme “Universal Access to Reproductive Health.”” Read in English: Philippine Information Agency
The Philippine Star on 11 July printed an editorial saying, “the World Bank has joined the International Monetary Fund and rating agencies in projecting an economic contraction this year for the Philippines. As the global economic crisis deepens, the United Nations is expecting women and children in developing countries to bear the brunt of the impact. The crisis gives more urgency to the implementation of measures that will promote education and health care for women and children. This is the message of the United Nations Population Fund as the 20th World Population Day is marked today. The UNFPA points out that investments in education and health of women and girls have been linked to higher national productivity, agricultural yield and income, all of which contribute to the achievement of Millennium Development Goals.” Read in English: Philippine Star
The Manila Bulletin on 10 July printed an editorial, “Universal Access to Reproductive Health Services” is the theme of this year’s celebration of World Population Day, in support of the attainment of the 5th Millennium Development Goal (MDG) which is to improve maternal health. Despite progress in this area, there is still much to be done to realize the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) vision of “a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.”” Read in English: Manila Bulletin
The Gulf Times on 12 July published that, “Jonalyn Corpuz struggled to hold on to her three-month-old son throwing a tantrum as she waited in line for free contraceptive implants in Manila’s slum district of Tondo. Corpuz was among hundreds of mothers who signed up for free implants and injections, ligation, birth control pills and other reproductive health services at a family planning fair in Baseco, the largest slum village in Tondo. The fair was organised by the Manila-based Likhaan Centre for Women’s Health in partnership with the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the European Union and other local groups to mark World Population Day yesterday.” Read in English: Gulf Times
Negros Daily Bulletin on 12 July reported that, “Dr. Eden Divinagracia, Executive Director of the Philippine NGO Council on Population, Health and Welfare, Inc. (PNGOC) cited the recent statistics, that the unmet needs for Family Planning increased from 15.7% in 2006 to 19.3% in 2011 at the World Population Day event with the theme, Universal Access to Reproductive Health Services. The objective of the celebration was to raise awareness among stakeholders the importance of addressing population issues and their relationship to health and development.” Read in English: Negros Daily Bulletin
The Inquirer on 11 July reported that, “Senator Pia Cayetano on Wednesday renewed her call for the passing of the Reproductive Health Bill in time with the commemoration of World Population Day. “On World Population Day, let’s prioritize the plight and burden of Filipino mothers. They are the ones who risk their life to bear new life, carry the primary burden of ensuring the health, education and welfare of their children, and balance the family’s meager resources to survive from day-to-day,” said Cayetano.” Read in English: The Inquirer and InterAksyon.com
View photos at: Manila Bulletin, Voice of America, Reuters AlertNet, Radio France Internationale, Veja Spain, Yahoo News, Reuters AlertNet, Yahoo News, Yahoo News, Yahoo News, Yahoo News, Hindustan Times, New Jersey News, Day Life News, El Nuevo Herald, The News & Advance
SIERRA LEONE: AWOKO and New Vision reported on 12 July that at a press conference to commemorate World Population Day in Freetown on 11 July, the Acting Director of UNFPA sub-regional office in Dakar, Idrissa Ouedraogo, said that family planning is a basic human right. Giving birth, he said, is typically the most joyful moment in a woman’s life, yet this very process takes the life of so many women worldwide.
Mr. Ouedraogo further stated that for every woman who dies, around 20 more suffer debilitating childbirth conditions such as fistula, and that working for the survival and the well-being of women and girls is a human rights imperative. He said that as we commemorate World Population Day, it is time to re-energize our commitment to universal access to reproductive health services, especially voluntary family planning.
The Component Manager for Population and Development at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Mohamed Lebbie, observed that the theme for this year’s celebration: Universal Access to Reproductive Health Services, is clearly an important one and the timing is opportune particularly when government is now committed to formulating a comprehensive national population policy within socio-economic planning.
SRI LANKA: The Daily Mirror, Daily News, Sinhala 'Ada', Daily Lankadeepa Sinhala and Veerakesari Tamil on 11 July reported on World Population Day and UNFPA. The Daily Mirror did a three-page spread on the topic.
SUDAN: Sudan Vision Daily published on 12 July the message by Executive Director, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, on World Population Day 2012. In the message Dr. Osotimehin reaffirmed UNFPA’s human rights approach to reproductive health by affirming that working for the survival and well-being of women and girls is a human rights imperative. In order to take advantage of women’s full potential in the development of their nations, they must be able to plan their lives and families. This is why the international community is determined to making universal access to reproductive health a priority. Read in English: Sudan Vision Daily
Al Sahafa Daily reported on 10 July about the planned celebrations of World Population Day on 16 July at Genaina, West Darfur. The events are organized by the Reproductive Health Directorate of the Federal Ministry of Health, West Darfur Ministry of Health and UNFPA Sudan. Dr. Sawsan Eltahir of the Federal Ministry of Health was quoted as saying this year’s celebrations advocate for efforts to provide quality integrated reproductive health services that include midwifery, emergency maternal services in addition to information and services on spacing children. Read in Arabic: Al Sahafa Daily
TAJIKISTAN: Khovar reported on 13 July on the UNFPA-conducted press conference on World Population Day. Mr. Alexander Zuev, UNFPA Representative in Tajikistan spoke on the occasion. Read in Russian: Khovar
TIMOR-LESTE: The Timor-Post on 11 July reported that UNFPA celebrated World Population Day with government representatives, development partners, and students at Canossa School in Dili. UNFPA has been working the Ministry of Health and International Agencies in Timor-Leste for the past 10 years to strengthen education and capacity on reproductive health and progress is being made. This year’s global theme ‘Universal Access to Reproductive Health Services’ is of particular relevance to Timor-Leste, a country with a high fertility rate and a high maternal mortality ratio. A Timorese woman will have, on average, 5.7 births during her lifetime with one in 44 women likely to die as a result of complications during pregnancy or childbirth, according to the Demographic Health Survey 2009-2010. Through the celebration of World Population Day, UNFPA hopes to raise awareness among young people on key reproductive health issues, so they can make informed decisions concerning their health and their future. UNFPA Representative Pornchai Suchitta pledged UNFPA’s commitment to work with all of its partners to ensure that universal access to reproductive health, especially voluntary family planning, is a key element of the international development agenda and poverty reduction policies. Mr. Pornchai said that, “only then would countries be able to reduce poverty and social and economic inequality, improve the well-being of their people and safeguard the health and rights of women, men, and young people.”
The Independente on 12 July reported that the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon called on United Nations member states to highlight the key role of access to reproductive health care. “I call for urgent concerted action by the member states to bridge the gap between demand and supply for reproductive health care,” said Ban. The paper also quoted the Executive Director of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, who stated that reproductive health problems remain the leading cause of ill health and death for women of childbearing age worldwide.
The Timor Post on 12 July published a photo of the First Lady of Timor-Leste, Mrs. Isabel Ferreira, ribbon cutting at the UNFPA exhibition on the celebration of World Population Day with UNFPA Representative Mr. Pornchai at Canossa Community School.
TOGO: Multiple media outlets reported on 11 and 12 July on the country’s World Population Day celebrations. The Minister in Charge of the Planning of Development and Regional Planning, Dédé Ahouéfa EKOUE, launched World Population Day on 10 July in the Medico-social Center of Tokoin Doumasséssé at Lome. She had by her side, the Ministers of Health, Security and Civil Protection, the representative of the Office of the UNFPA in Togo, Cécile MUKARUBUGA, the representatives of other agencies such as the United Nations’ representative Khardiata Lo Ndiaye, the resident Coordinator of the United Nations System and resident Representative of the UNDP in Togo, members of the diplomatic corps, high personalities in charge of the engineering departments and a crowd made up of women who came to listen.
The celebration was also an opportunity for the UNFPA Togo to offer five motorbikes to the medical districts of the maritime area through the Ministry of Health. In collaboration with the Management of Family Health, services for family planning were offered free on the site of the demonstration to surrounding populations. Parallel to the celebration, the media diffused and published the message of the Executive Director in their columns and on the airwaves.
A day before this celebration, a press conference, hosted by the Togolese Government and the Office of the UNFPA in Togo, enlightened journalists on World Population Day, the current efforts of the government regarding reproductive health, and the importance of demography and development. Read in French: Togo En Vogue, Togo En Vogue, Pa-L'Union, Pa-L'Union, Savoir News, Sante Education and Afriscoop
TURKMENISTAN: Neutral Turkmenistan reported on 11 July on the celebration by the international community of World Population Day. In the article, the author shared the history of World Population Day and extensively described the cooperation between Turkmenistan and UNFPA since 1992, particularly in the area of reproductive health, given the theme of the 2012 World Population Day. Quoting the Secretary-General’s World Population Day message on the importance of mainstreaming reproductive health and rights into all development plans, the article highlights the achievements of Turkmenistan in the area of reproductive health with the support of UNFPA, including the adoption, among the first in the region to do so, of national development programmes and strategies on reproductive health, safe motherhood and others.
Neutral Turkmenistan, Dashoguz Habarlary, and Maru-Shahu-Jahan newspapers reported on 12, 13 and 14 July that UNFPA jointly with the National Clinical Center for Mother and Child Health (NCCMC) held a series of roundtables dedicated to the World Population Day theme in the capital city and in two cities in the regions. The roundtables served as a platform to recognize the medical specialists working in the field of reproductive health, and to create a dialogue between the service providers and users on the existing reproductive health services, safe motherhood, adolescent reproductive health and reproductive rights of women, including those living with disabilities, and young people. Medical specialists, representatives of the non-governmental organizations and mass media, as well as couples, women of fertile age and young people participated at the round-tables.
UGANDA: New Vision on 11 July reported on a dialogue organized by the UNFPA country office in preparation for World Population Day. With the theme: “Make Access to Reproductive Health Services a Priority: Address Key Challenges,” the dialogue attracted youths from across Kampala city and beyond. Read in English: New Vision
New Vision on 11 July published an interview with UNFPA Country Representative Janet Jackson about World Population, family planning and other key issues affecting the population. Read in English: New Vision
The Daily Monitor on 12 July published an article about the London Family Planning Summit. UNFPA Country Representative Janet Jackson is mentioned in the article saying, making access to reproductive health services shoul dbe a priority. Read in English: Daily Monitor
URUGUAY: Several media outlets reported from 11-14 July on different aspects of the celebration of World Population Day. El País reported that Uruguayan authorities were to announce that the country would host the first meeting of the Regional Conference on Population in August 2013. That Conference would focus on the Programme of Action of the International Conference for Population and Development (ICPD) advancements. La diaria and Radio Uruguay highlighted that the Uruguayan model to eliminate maternal mortality for unsafe abortions, which follows the commitments signed in the ICPD, will be shared with other Latin American countries. La Republica focused on growing inequalities as the world population rises. Trends on sexual and reproductive health, including maternal mortality, were presented and debated by several media. Read more in Spanish: El País, La Diaria, La República, UNI Radio, Radio Uruguay, Radio Universal, Montevideo.com, Presidencia, Fray Bentina Digital, El Pueblo de Salto, El País de los Niños, Prensa Latina
UZBEKISTAN: UzDaily, Gazeta.uz and numerous other outlets reported on 12 July that on 11 July, the Women’s Committee of Uzbekistan and UNFPA (UN Population Fund) together celebrated World Population Day 2012. The day, which was held under the motto “Healthy Families – Healthy Societies,” was celebrated with an open-air event at Gofur Gulom Park in Tashkent. The celebration featured a family marathon, as well as a kids’ chalk drawing contest on the theme of “Healthy Families.” Winners and participants of the contest were awarded with souvenirs. Participants of the event and guests also enjoyed the performance of amateur folk dance and song groups. Read in Russian: UzDaily, Gazeta.uz, and ca-news Read in English: UzDaily
e-Tashkent reported on 12 July that on 13 July, the UN Information Centre (UNIC) and UN Population Fund (UNFPA) planned to co-host a traditional UN Friday to highlight one of UN’s flagship observances, World Population Day. The programme featured Feruza Fazilova, National Programme Officer on Reproductive Health at UNFPA, Diloram Melikova, family physician at Tashkent International Clinic, Davron Mirsagatov, and representative of the youth education network Y-PEER, Vojtech Hledik, UNAIDS Country Office in Uzbekistan. Read in Russian: e-Tashkent
CHINA: Reaching Out to Migrant Community
China Women’s Daily, the People’s Political Consultative Daily (CPPCC News), and Sohu.com on 29 November reported that UNFPA, together with UNICEF and UNAIDS, participated in a World AIDS Day event "Care for Love Care for AIDS" co-organized by Sohu and Global Business Coalition (GBC) on 27 Nov. The event was to raise awareness on HIV prevention and anti-stigma among migrant workers. The event took place in New Workers' Theatre in a migrant workers area in Jinzhan Township, Beijing. UNFPA representative Mr. Arie Hoekman was quoted on migration, health risks of migrants and limited access to health services of migrants. Mr. Arie Hoekman said at the event that almost a half of China's population now live in urban areas. In 2010, more than 200 million people migrated, representing an increase of more than 80% from the 2000 figure. Migrants face increasing health risks, including reproductive health risks and risks of HIV infection. Read in Chinese: China Women Daily, China CPPCC News and Sohu.com
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
ASIA: Heirs and Spares
The Financial Times reported on 10 July on the gender imbalance in India and China, noting that “Confounding long-held expectations, the preference appears to persist even as development creates new opportunities for women, potentially reducing long-held perceptions that daughters are solely economic liabilities and altering the relative costs of raising sons and daughters. "You see this rising affluence, and high standards of living, but in terms of social values, and social thinking, a large part remains extremely primitive," says A.K. Shiva Kumar, a member of India's NAC. "The social pressure for sons is phenomenally high, particularly among the middle class. The symbols of modernity surround them, but you don't have any change in thinking."With the spread of ultrasound machines, what families in Haryana casually call "the wipeout" has become much easier. "The intensity of daughter aversion may reduce, but parents' ability to act on that aversion is much higher now," says Ena Singh of the UN Population Fund in Delhi. India, China and Vietnam have all banned sex-selective abortions and prohibit medics from disclosing a child's gender before birth. But enforcement is erratic, with few prosecutions for violations. Chinese and Indian doctors in urban areas may follow the rules but clinics elsewhere operate with few controls. In Vietnam, the sex-selective abortions is seen as a routine medical service.”
GLOBAL: COVERAGE ON UN REPORT ON OPPORTUNITY IN CRISIS: PREVENTING HIV FROM EARLY ADOLESCENCE TO YOUNG ADULTHOOD REPORT
CHINA: Xinhua reported on 1 June that an estimated 2 million adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 are living with HIV, with 86 per cent of them from sub-Saharan Africa, according to a recent global report on HIV prevention. For the first time, the world gets to see the number of adolescents between the ages of 10 to 19 living with HIV in the report named "Opportunity in Crisis: Preventing HIV from Early Adolescence to Young Adulthood." The report is a joint publication by UNICEF, UNAIDS, UNESCO, UNFPA, the ILO, WHO and World Bank. Read: Xinhua
INDIA: The Hindu reported on 2 June that a recently-launched global report on HIV prevalence in 2009 indicated that an estimated 2,500 young people are newly infected with HIV. Opportunity in Crisis: Preventing HIV from Early Adolescence to Young Adulthood, a publication by multiple UN agencies, also said while HIV prevalence has declined slightly among young people, young women and adolescent girls face a “disproportionately high risk of infection due to biological vulnerability, social inequality and exclusion.” UNICEF, UNAIDS, UNESCO, UNFPA, ILO, WHO, and the World Bank have put their heads together to present data on HIV infections among young people and highlight the risks adolescents face as they transition to adulthood. Read: The Hindu
SOUTH AFRICA: News Tonight reported on 3 June that a global report on HIV prevention launched in Johannesburg states that nearly 2 million teens and pre-teens with ages ranging from 10 to 19 suffer from HIV. UNICEF, UNAIDS, UNESCO, UNFPA, the ILO, WHO and the World Bank have collaborated in gathering facts and bringing the report to the world. Read: News Tonight
CHINA: A “Hard-To-Ask” Research Question
The Beijing News reported on 22 May on the gender-based violence and masculinity research project interviewers’ training. The purpose of the training is to enable trainees to interview 3,000 men and women in May and June about intimate relationships, sexual history, domestic violence and other private content. The project is led UNFPA and three other UN agencies. China is one of the 6 countries in Asia included in this regional research. UNFPA programme officer Ms. Elina pointed out that violence against women tends to occur between intimate partners. Violence against women is a global problem. Studies show that violence is associated to the perception of masculinity leading to gender inequalities. Read in Chinese: The Beijing News
GLOBAL: COVERAGE ON INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE MIDWIFE
UN News Centre reported on 5 May that United Nations officials hailed the significant impact of midwives on the health of women and newborns, and called for greater investments to ensure their life-saving services are available to all who need them around the world. “Midwives deliver – and not only babies,” said Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of UNFPA. “They save lives and promote good health in societies as a whole. They are an essential workforce in an effective health-care system.”
In a statement to mark the day, Dr. Osotimehin noted that more than one in three women in developing countries give birth alone, and in some of the poorest countries, as few as 13 per cent of all deliveries are assisted by a midwife or a health worker with midwifery skills. Read: UN News Centre
AFGHANISTAN: Xinhua reported on 5 May on the International Day of the Midwife in a story focusing on midwifery in Afghanistan. "Nearly 70 per cent of women dying from pregnancy related problems in my province due to the limited access to health centres and professional midwives," Afghan midwife Fatima Hamdard said. The article continued to cover UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin’s statement marking the day. "More than one in three women in developing countries give birth alone -- or with only relatives to oversee what is one of the most dangerous passage they will ever undergo," said Babatunde Osotimehin. Read: Xinhua
BANGLADESH: BDNews24 reported on 5 and 7 May on an effort to increase the number of trained midwives in the country. UNFPA Bangladesh representative Arthur Erken said midwives were an essential workforce in an effectively functioning health care system and the best way forward to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths. UNFPA is supporting the pilot programme in three districts – Munshiganj, Mymensingh and Chittagong – in the country. Read: BDNews24 and BDNews24
The Daily Star reported on 5 May that Bangladesh observed International Day of the Midwife and that Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of UNFPA, gave a statement marking the day. The statement said more than one in three women in developing countries gives birth alone or with only relatives. Read: The Daily Star
The New Age reported on 5 May that, with the country still heavily relying on community skilled birth attendants who lack the skill and the authority to perform complicated deliveries, and with one in 500 women dying during childbirth, Bangladesh, like other countries of the world, will today observe International Day of the Midwife. In Bangladesh, where more than 75 per cent of deliveries take place at home, it is imperative to improve the situation through the training of more midwives, according to UNFPA.
Although the number of women giving birth in medical facilities in Bangladesh has more than doubled, from 9 per cent in 2001 to 23 per cent in 2010, more than 75 per cent of deliveries still take place at home. Read: The New Age
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA: Multiple media outlets published on 4 and 5 May the full statement by Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of UNFPA, on the occasion of the International Day of the Midwife. Read in Bosnian: Sutra and Ljiljan
CHAD: Radio Chad reported on 5 May on a conference panel organized by the Chadian Association of Midwives, with the support of UNFPA, to mark the International Day of the Midwife and on UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotomehin’s statement on the day. During the conference, presentations followed by discussions were made on the role of midwives in reducing maternal death, the analysis of their situation in Chad and the need for their redeployment in the light of their uneven distribution in the territory.
CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE): Tele-Congo, les Depeches de Brazzaville and Radio Pointe Noire reported on 7 May on the celebration of the International Day of the Midwife in Pointe Noire, which was organized jointly by the Inter-provincial Midwives Order and UNFPA. UNFPA Representative David Lawson called on the government to take the necessary measures and budget to enhance the professional standards and training for midwifery. He also indicated that UNFPA would support the participation of Congolese midwives at the upcoming Durban Conference of midwives. Read in French: Les Depeches de Brazzaville
Congo-site, DRTV, TV-Congo, Depeches de Brazzaville reported on 6 May on the celebration in Brazzaville of the International Midwives Day by the National Midwives Order, the Health Ministry, UNFPA, UNICEF and WHO on the role of midwives in achieving MDG 4, 5 and 6. CARMMA Ambassador Senator Philomene Fouty-Soungou and UNFPA Representative David Lawson led a march of midwives. Read in French: Congo-Site and Les Depeches de Brazzaville
DRTV, TV Congo, Radio Congo, TV+, Canal Benediction broadcasted on 5 May the message of UNFPA Executive Director, Babatunde Osotimehin, delivered by UNFPA Resident Representative, David Lawson, on the occasion of International Midwife Day.
COSTA RICA: La Teja reported on May 5 on a celebration held to mark the International Day of the Midwife. UNFPA recognized the work of the midwives as it noted that many women continue to give birth without the skilled assistance they provide.
GUINEA-CONAKRY: Guinee24 reported on 5 May that UNFPA-Guinea, through the foundation of the First Lady of the Republic, Conde Djen, offered over 30 million Guinean francs worth of medical equipment for delivery to the Health Centre Yimbaya and the premium midwives who have contributed more to save lives of women and babies. Read in French: Guinee 24
GUYANA: Kaieteur News reported on 5 May that, with a firm commitment to ensure the safety of both women and children during pregnancy and delivery, midwives drawn from across the country gathered at the Umana Yana in Kingston, Georgetown, on 4 May to celebrate International Day of the Midwife, one day ahead of the designated day. The event was held under the theme, “The world needs midwives now…more than ever.” The local observance was preceded by a march which commenced at the Ministry of Health’s Brickdam Office and culminated at the Umana Yana where the health workers gathered to reflect on the work of midwives. Yesterday’s event also featured addresses by Director of Maternal and Child Health within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Janice Woolford, and UNFPA Technical Specialist, Derven Patrick. The commemorative activities were later taken to the Aracari Resort at Versailles, West Bank Demerara, for a forum which saw the role of the midwife being highlighted in-depth by UNFPA Midwife Adviser Mandy La Fleur. Read: Kaieteur News
IRAN: Tehran Times featured an interview on 7 May with Mehmet Hulki Uz, the UNFPA representative in Tehran, who said that Iran has succeeded in reducing maternal death by 80 per cent within 18 years. In addition, “Now in Iran 97 per cent of deliveries are being achieved safely,” he said. The interview was published as the Iranian Health Ministry marked the International Day of the Midwife. Read: Tehran Times
Etelaat News, Salamat and Fars reported on 4 and 5 May on International Day of the Midwife, noting that reducing maternal mortality and boosting maternal health are among the chief concerns of the country’s health system today. Iran succeeded in reducing its maternal mortality rate by 80 per cent over the course of 18 years, from 1990-2008. According to Mehmet Hulki Uz, UNFPA Representative in Iran, the country has made some momentous progress in maternal health, but 420 women still die each year because of pregnancy related causes – that’s more than one Iranian woman a day. UNFPA is working with the Ministry of Health to help reduce the country’s maternal mortality rate further: 80-90 per cent of maternal deaths can be avoided by strengthening the role of midwives. Midwives help make the health system more efficient because they can consult at a community level and detect possible complications arising from pregnancy – at a third (on average) of the cost for a physician to do so, generating significant savings for the government. UNFPA advocates for doctors and midwives to form part of a “family practice” team in which midwives can offer community-level family planning and maternal health services and refer any issue beyond their sphere of competency to a doctor.
KENYA: The Nation reported on 4 May on the International Day of the Midwife, noting that UNFPA in its latest statistics notes that every day, 1,000 women die and 5,500 newborns die in the first week of life for lack of adequate medical care. Thirteen per cent of all deliveries are attended by a health worker with midwifery skills in poor countries, and UNFPA and the Kenya Medical Association say there is need to invest in building these skills. Read: The Nation
The Nairobi Star reported on 2 May that there is a global shortage of some 350,000 professional midwives, according to UNFPA. UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin said as a result of the shortage, women and their newborn babies die from complications that would be prevented by a health worker with skills, the right equipment and support. He noted that more than one in three women in developing countries give birth alone or with the help of relatives. This, he said, is dangerous for women. Dr. Osotimehin said that in the poorest countries, as few as 13 per cent of all deliveries are assisted by a midwife or a health worker with skills. "Midwives are the unsung heroes of maternal and newborn health," said Dr. Osotimehin in a statement released ahead of the International Day of the Midwife to be marked on 5 May. He underscored the need for countries to invest in human resources for health. He added that 1,000 women die daily and 5,500 newborns die in the first week of life for lack of adequate medical care. Read: The Nairobi Star
PAKISTAN: The Nation reported on 6 May that Parliamentary Health Secretary Saeed Elahi has said that the uplifting of the health sector and welfare of the people associated with it was the top priority of the government. Addressing a seminar arranged with the cooperation of the Punjab Health Department, UNICEF and UNFPA on the occasion of International Midwives Day, he said that the government was paying special attention to the health of women and children. Read: The Nation
PARAGUAY: Multiple media outlets reported on 4-6 May on International Day of the Midwife. Articles highlighted the fact that, in Paraguay three out of ten births are attended by midwives. They also reported on the message from the Executive Director of UNFPA, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, who said, “Midwives, not only offer services, but are also who attend births, save lives and promote the health of women and societies as a whole. They are an essential part of any personal health system.” Read in Spanish: ABC, Vanguardia and La Nacion
SRI LANKA: Ceylon Daily News reported on 5 May on International Day of the Midwife, noting that in Sri Lanka, public health midwives have been a cornerstone in reducing maternal deaths and improving the health of mothers and their newborns. "Sri Lanka's investments in improving maternal health are exemplary. By applying the right policies and making the right investments to increase skilled attendance at birth along with increased access to family planning and emergency obstetric care, Sri Lanka has shown that maternal deaths can be reduced even prior to attaining high levels of economic development. UNFPA is also proud to be part of these achievements" said UNFPA Representative Lene Christiansen. Read: Ceylon Daily News
SUDAN: Sudan Vision and Al Sahafa reported on 5 May on the International Day of the Midwife. In a fullpage of coverage, Sudan Vision included the message of UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin, UNFPA messages on the event and an article on midwifery and maternal health highlighting the support of UNFPA to the national efforts of reducing maternal mortalities and improving women’s health. Read: Al Sahafa, Sudan Vision Daily (a) and Sudan Vision Daily (b)
Multiple media outlets also reported on 3-7 May on events marking the International Day of the Midwife in Juba, beginning with the establishment of the first Nurses and Midwives Association of Southern Sudan, which brought together nurses and midwives from all ten states in South Sudan. Coverage also marked the launch of the Month of the Midwife, which began on the day. Events included a march and rally in support of midwives on 5 May, the broadcast of a UNFPA-produced documentary on midwifery in Southern Sudan and interviews, panel discussions and statements featuring multiple UNFPA officials. A South Sudan TV talkshow featured UNFPA Head of Office Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, along with Janet Michael of the Ministry of Health of GOSS and Petronella Wawa, Principal of the UNFPA-supported Juba College of Nursing and Midwifery. Read: Gurtong and Sudan Tribune
SWAZILAND: The Swazi Observer reported on 6 May that UNFPA Country Director Dr. Hassan Mohtashami said the current number of midwives in the country should be increased in each local hospital. Currently there are slightly over 1,200 midwives in Swaziland, disclosed chief nursing officer Thembsile Khumalo. Dr. Mohtashami said midwives were a critical attribute of human resources for maternal health because they simply could make a difference between life and death. “Even though recent reports by the UN show a decline in deaths during pregnancy and childbirth of 34 per cent, the annual rate of decline is less than half of what is required to achieve the MDGs,” he said. Read: The Swazi Observer
The Swazi Observer reported on 6 May on the International Day of the Midwife, as UNFPA country Director Dr. Hassan Mohtashami said the current number of midwives in the country should be increased in each local hospital. Currently there are slightly over 1,200 midwives in Swaziland, disclosed chief nursing officer Thembsile Khumalo. Read: The Swazi Observer
The Times of Swaziland reported on 6 May that the frequency of pregnancy within a short space of time is a major concern to midwives in the country. According to the midwives, this has greatly contributed to the high maternal mortality rate. They attributed this to the lack of access to family planning services, as the level of contraceptive use for married women in the country currently stands at 51 per cent. The midwives revealed this during the commemoration of the International Day of the Midwife, which was held at the Royal Villas on 5 May. They said there was a need to consider health education as a key for behaviour change. UNFPA Representative Hassan Mohtashami said midwives were a critical human resource for maternal health because they are skilled birth attendants. He said the country needs to train skilled attendants who can make a substantive contribution to the reduction of maternal mortality. "Rural women may be illiterate, but can be trained as skilled attendants," Dr. Mohtashami said. Read: The Times of Swaziland
The Swazi Observer reported on 4 May that Swaziland, with the support of UNFPA, was to join the world in the celebration of International Day of the Midwife. One of the critical elements for the attainment of the health outcomes, especially the MDG 5 target of 75 per cent reduction of maternal mortality, is human resources for health. That is why there has been increasing attention accorded to this component as part of the effort to strengthen health systems in developing countries. Sexual Reproductive Health Programme Manager Phumzile Mabuza said that improving maternal health calls for the expansion of the specific functions and or categories of midwifery personnel. “Midwives need to be equipped with knowledge and skills to improve the quality of care rendered to clients. This would ensure joyful childbirth prospect rather than misery for millions of women in the world,” she said. Read: The Swazi Observer
TANZANIA: The Citizen reported on 4 and 5 May on events commemorating International Day of the Midwife, including a march to celebrate the work of midwives, a statement by UNFPA on the day, profiles of UNFPA officials and midwives in the country, and calls for improved training for midwives in the country. “The World Health Organisation and other UN agencies as well as some global partners recognize the fact that midwives are key to achieving the goal to reduce in maternal and newborn deaths and disabilities globally,” said Rita Noronha, UNFPA health system programme specialist. Read: The Citizen
TIMOR-LESTE: Timor Post and Suara Timor Lorosae reported on 5- 6 May on the two-day, UNFPA-led celebration of the International Day of the Midwife. The event opened with an address from the President of Timor-Leste, Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta, who spoke on the important work of midwives in saving women’s and children’s lives, and called on men to be more engaged in family planning in order to preserve women’s health.
UGANDA: The Monitor reported on 6 May and published a statement by UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Ostomehin marking the International Day of the Midwife. The growing shortage of midwives is contributing to Uganda's failure to end maternal and child deaths, the government has said. At least 2,000 additional midwives are required to provide skilled care during antenatal, delivery and postnatal care including providing family planning and immunisation services. Addressing journalists as part of yesterday's International Day of the Midwife, Health Minister Stephen Mallinga in a statement read for him by Assistant Commissioner for Health Promotion Paul Kagwa, explained that the shortage of midwives is affecting the quality of maternal and newborn care. Read: The Monitor and The Monitor
URUGUAY: Sociedad Uruguaya reported on 5 May on the celebration of the International Day of the Midwife. Read in Spanish: Sociedad Uruguaya
VIET NAM: Gia Dinh va Xa Hoi (Family and Society) reported on 5 May that on the occasion of the International Day of Midwife, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, UNFPA Executive Director, commended the important work of midwives. “Midwives deliver – and not only babies. They save lives and promote good health in societies as a whole. They are an essential workforce in an effective healthcare system,” said Dr. Osotimehin. Read in Vietnamese: Gia Dinh va Xa Hoi
YEMEN: Naba news, Sahafanews and Bawabat al-Yemen published on 4 May the statement by Babatunde Osotimehin, executive director of UNFPA, on the occasion of theInternational Day of the Midwife. Read in Arabic: Naba News, Sahafa News and Bawabat al-Yemen
ZIMBABWE: The Standard reported on 8 May on statements by the International Confederation of Midwives marking the International Day of the Midwife, as well as calls by UNFPA and others to improve training and availability of midwives around the world.
GLOBAL: COVERAGE ON NEW GLOBAL POPULATION PROJECTIONS
Reuters reported on 3 May that the world's population is projected to pass 7 billion on 31 October as it heads toward 10 billion or more by the end of the century, according to a new U.N. report. The report also predicted that the global population would be higher by mid-century than its last edition forecast two years ago, reaching 9.31 billion instead of 9.15 billion. It attributed this to fewer deaths as well as more births than it had anticipated. The October date for reaching the 7 billion mark is based on calculations from current trends and Hania Zlotnik, head of the U.N.’s Population Division said it should be taken "with a grain of salt." Nevertheless, UNFPA announced it would start a seven-day countdown on Oct. 24 that would include a series of events. The world reached 6 billion people in 1998 and was 6.89 on July 1. Read: Reuters
IPS reported on 3 May that the United Nations is predicting that come Oct. 31, the world population will hit the seven billion mark - and keep expanding till it reaches 9.3 billion by the year 2050. Much of this increase, according to the Population Division of the U.N.'s Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), is projected to come from 58 high-fertility countries: 39 in Africa, nine in Asia, six in Oceania and four in Latin America. The projections were part of the "2010 Revision of World Population Prospects" released by DESA on 3 May. "A world of seven billion people is both a challenge and an opportunity," says Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, executive director of UNFPA. Read: IPS
Xinhua (China) reported on 3 May that the world population is expected to hit the 7-billion mark on 31 October, 2011, according to a report released on Tuesday by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). "A world of 7 billion is both a challenge and an opportunity," Babatunde Osotimehin, executive director of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), said in a statement. “The population projections underscore the urgent need to provide safe and effective family planning to the 215 million women who lack it. Small variations in fertility -- when multiplied across countries and over time -- make a world of difference," he said. Read: Xinhua
COSTA RICA: Canal 7 reported on 5 May on the new population prospects, which it misattributed to UNFPA. Watch in Spanish: Canal 7
GHANA: Modern Ghana reported on 6 May that the 2010 Revision of World Population Prospects, released recently by the UN, indicate that the global population will surge past 9 billion before 2050 and eventually pass 10 billion before the end of the century. The projections also reveal that the total population should reach the 7-billion mark on 31 October this year. Babatunde Osotimehin, the executive director of UNFPA, said “A world of 7 billion is both a challenge and an opportunity,” according to a press release. Dr. Osotimehin noted that around the world people are living longer and choosing to have smaller families than in the past. Read: Modern Ghana
JORDAN: Al Rai published on 5 May UNFPA’s statement on the new population projections. Read in Arabic: Al Rai
KENYA: Capital FM reported on 4 May on the new UN population projections, noting that UNFPA Executive Director Dr Babatunde Osotimehin, in a statement, said the growth posed opportunities and challenges which would require global collaboration to address its impact. "Globally, people are living longer, healthier lives and choosing to have smaller families. But reducing inequities and finding ways to ensure the well-being of people alive today - as well as the generations that follow - will require new ways of thinking and unprecedented global cooperation," he said. Read: Capital FM
MEXICO: Informador and Notimex reported on 3 and 7 May that the world population would exceed seven billion people on 31 October and aims to reach 10 billion or more by the end of the century, according to various projections, according to a new United Nations report. UNFPA announced it would begin events to mark a seven-day countdown on 24 October. Read in Spanish: Informador and Notimex
UGANDA: The Monitor reported on 7 May that Uganda has been ranked among “high fertility” countries in the world which will contribute most to the bulge in population size in the next decades, a United Nations report has revealed. The World Population Prospects, the official UN population projections report, shows that these high fertility countries will see rising population growth till the end of the century. By that time, it is estimated the world population will be 10.1 billion. Uganda’s population growth rate, currently at 3.2 per cent is the third highest in the world after Yemen and Niger. There were an estimated 31 million Ugandans by 2010 from just five million in 1948. “A world of seven billion is both a challenge and an opportunity,” said Babatunde Osotimehin, the executive director of UNFPA. “Globally, people are living longer, healthier lives and choosing to have smaller families. But reducing inequities and finding ways to ensure the wellbeing of people alive today – as well as the generations that follow – will require new ways of thinking and unprecedented global cooperation,” he said. Read: The Monitor
GLOBAL: COVERAGE ON INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ZERO TOLERANCE TO FGM/C
The Associated Press reported on 7 February that top UN officials are calling for an end to female genital mutilation, saying it violates fundamental human rights and endangers the health of 3 million girls who undergo the practice annually. Anthony Lake, chief of UNICEF, and Babatunde Osotimehin, head of UNFPA, called on countries and organizations worldwide to help end the practice. Read: Associated Press
IPS reported on 7 February that the United Nations is intensifying its global campaign to eliminate one of the most widely-condemned religious and cultural rituals in the world today, mostly in Africa and Asia: female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). The joint efforts by UNFPA and UNICEF - have resulted in over 6,000 communities abandoning the physically-harmful practice in countries such as Ethiopia, Egypt, Kenya, Senegal, Burkina Faso, the Gambia, Guinea and Somalia. Read: IPS
United Nations Radio reported on 7 February that over 6,000 communities across Africa have abandoned the harmful practice of female genital mutilation/cutting in the last three years, according to a joint United Nations programme designed to eliminate the practice. Three million girls face FGM/C every year in Africa and around the world. On the occasion, commemorated each year as the International Day against FGM/C, Gerry Adams spoke to the Coordinator of the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme, Nafissatou Diop, about how culturally sensitive approaches are used to encourage abandonment of the practice. Read: United Nations Radio
CHINA: Xinhua reported on 8 February that Chiefs of two UN agencies have issued a joint statement calling on the international community to work toward eliminating female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM/C), UN spokesman Martin Nesirky told reporters. Anthony Lake, Executive Director of UNICEF and Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of UNFPA, issued the statement asking the global community to join efforts to stop FGM/C on the occasion of the International Day of Zero Tolerance to FGM/C. Read: Xinhua
THE GAMBIA:The Daily Observer (The Gambia) reported on 10 February that over 6,000 communities across Africa have chosen to abandon the practice of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), a joint United Nations Programme report from UNICEF, Gambia office revealed. According to the report, this development is designed to eliminate the practice. UNFPA and UNICEF, the report added, are partnering to end FGM/C, a practice that is serious, has immediate and long-term health effects and a clear violation of girls’ and women's fundamental rights. "We are working in 12 out of 17 priority African countries and have seen real results over the years of hard work and these are paying off with FGM/C prevalence rate decreasing," said Nafissatou Diop, coordinator of the UNFPA-UNICEF joint programme on FGM/C in the joint report. Read: The Daily Observer
INDIA: PTI reported on 7 February that noting that three million women face the risk of FGM/C anually, the UN has called for the abolition of the practice, which has so far been carried out on 100 to 140 million women worldwide. FGM/C, according to the UN, has "serious immediate and long-term health effects and a clear violation of fundamental human rights." On the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM/C, the world body called on the global community to end this practice. "Together, we can abolish FGM/C in one generation and help millions of girls and women to live healthier, fuller lives," said a statement released by UNICEF and UNFPA. Read: PTI
TANZANIA: The Guardian reported on 8 February that UN representatives in the country have called for urgent steps to stop FGM/C and to protect women and girls from all forms of harmful practices in the country. The envoys - Julitta Onabanjo of UNFPA, Vibeke Jensen of UNESCO and Anna Collin-Falk of UN Women – issued the call in a joint statement released to observe the International Day for Zero Tolerance to FGM/C. They underlined a need for the government, communities and families to take urgent measures to protect women and girls from the effects of the malpractice, which in still deeply-rooted in some customs and traditions. Read: The Guardian
UNITED STATES: The Huffington Post published a blog by Evelyn Leopold on 13 February on progress toward eradicating FGM/C around the world. She wrote, “The good news is that female circumcision -- also known as female genital mutilation -- has decreased in a number of nations. The bad news is that the figures are still shocking after years of campaigns. The practice of cutting into female organs is prevalent in a number of countries in Africa, the Middle East and south Asia as well as among migrant families in Europe and the United States. Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) is usually carried out between infancy and 15 years of age to keep women "pure," marriageable and unable to enjoy sex. Consequences include severe bleeding, childbirth complications, and of course pain. The latest figures, released by the UNFPA and the UNICEF show that over 6,000 communities have chosen to abandon the practice in Ethiopia, Egypt, Kenya, Senegal, Burkina Faso, the Gambia, Guinea and Somalia.
Ms. Magazine reported on 9 February that a joint programme between UNFPA and UNICEF eported that over 6,000 communities in Ethiopia, Egypt, Kenya, Senegal, Burkina Faso, the Gambia, Guinea and Somalia have abandoned the practice of female genital mutilation/ cutting (FGM/C). Nafissatou Diop, coordinator of the UNFPA-UNICEF program, stated, "We are working in 12 out of 17 priority African countries and have seen real results...In Ethiopia, the prevalence rate has fallen from 80 per cent to 74 per cent, in Kenya from 32 percent to 27 percent, and in Egypt from 97 percent to 91 percent." Read: Ms. Magazine
GLOBAL: CONTINUING COVERAGE ON WORLD AIDS DAY 2010
LATIN AMERICA: Multiple media outlets reported on 29-30 November that prior to World AIDS Day, HIV experts from the Ministry of Health, the Peru AIDS Network, UNFPA, the Institute for Health Studies, Human Sexuality and Human Development, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, CONAMUSA, UNAIDS and the Health Education Institute, met to present recommendations from the “International AIDS Conference - Vienna 2010” in order to reach agreements to reduce HIV epidemic in Peru. Read in Spanish: Orbita, Radio Caracol, RCN Radio, El Tiempo, Prensa Latina, Diario Co Latino, CIMAC and El Liberal
ARMENIA: Multiple media outlets reported on 1 December on the message from UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid on the commemoration of World Aids Day. With support from UNFPA Armenia, a forum theatre "Theatre for Changes" and a group of Y-PEERs performed an interactive play titled "Who Would Imagine?" The performance used theatre based peer education techniques to sensitize the issue of stigma in connection with HIV/AIDS. Read in Armenian: Mediainform, Armenpress, Mardik.am, NewsArmenia. Read in Russian: Armeniya.net, Novosti - Armeniya
BANGLADESH: The Financial Express reported on 5 December that East West University and UNFPA organized a rally on World AIDS Day-2010 at the campus on 1 December. The aim of this rally was to raise awareness of HIV in Bangladesh. With a slogan "prevent HIV, protect you, protect others and keep the promise", the rally moved around the Mohakhali campus and ended at the academic building premises. Read: The Financial Express
CHINA: Xinhua reported on 1 December that though estimable progress has been made towards achieving an AIDS-free generation of children, there is still more work to be done, high-level UN officials said at the launch of "Children and AIDS: Fifth Stocktaking Report 2010," an evaluation of progress towards preventing and treating AIDS in children authored by UNICEF in conjunction with other UN agencies. The report stressed that aside from funding and the distribution of HIV/AIDS care to children, another essential aspect of creating an AIDS-free generation would be reducing a knowledge gap among youth about the spread and prevention of the disease.The gap can be closed by providing education on primary and secondary levels to young people, particularly girls, who are usually the most marginalized, according to George Tembo, chief of the HIV and AIDS programme at UNFPA, who also spoke at the launch."When children and young people stay in school, particularly adolescent girls, and receive quality education, including sexuality education they are better able to prevent HIV and build a future for themselves," he said. Read: Xinhua
China Daily and People.com.cn published on 1 December an op-ed by Dr. Bernard Coquelin, Representative of UNFPA China as the chair of the UN Theme Group on HIV in China. The HIV Theme Group in China comprises UNDP, UNFPA, WHO, UNICEF, UNESCO, ILO, UNODC, UNIFEM, and the UNAIDS secretariat. In response to HIV, the protection of the rights of those vulnerable to, and living with the infection, is critical. The UN considers that through continued efforts to expand access to HIV prevention and treatment services, efforts to combat stigma and discrimination, and efforts to protect the rights of those affected and infected, China will be able to make significant progress toward Millennium Development Goal 6 (MDG6). Read in Chinese: China Daily and People.com.cn
Netease reported on 1 December that UNFPA, together with UNESCO and UNICEF, sponsored and provided technical support to an activity organized by CHAIN and other NGOs to promote youth participation to communicate HIV prevention and anti-stigma messages from university students. A gathering showcasing the winning communication ideas was organized on 30 November, just before the World AIDS Day. Read in Chinese: Netease
COLOMBIA: Caracol, Asi es Cucuta and Soy Periodista reported on 29 November-1 December on World AIDS Day. After 29 years of the epidemic, noting that the Ministry of Social Protection and UNFPA launched a new communication strategy, “Different people, equal rights.” Read in Spanish: Caracol, Asi es Cucuta, Soy Periodista
CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE): Multiple media outlets reported on 29 November and 2 December on the movie "Une Vie Positive,” Alain Nkodia, which was produced with UNFPA support. The film presents the life of a couple living with AIDS. The first ever Congolese movie on AIDS also presents the first ever couple to come out on their HIV positive status. A call to fight discrimination and stigmatization, UNFPA Representative, David Lawson has established partnership with the movie industry in order to reach out to wide segment of citizens, including young people. The movie will be presented across the country and has been shown on international channel TV5. As UNAIDS theme Group Chair, UNFPA Representative David Lawson presented the movie "Une Vie Positive" to an audience mostly made up of young people, in presence of movie director, Alain Nkodia, and the two main actors, in presence of WFP and the World Bank agency heads, which was followed by a discussion. Read in French: Les Depeches de Brazzaville and watch in French: TV 5
DRTV and Tele-Congo reported on 1 December on the celebration of World AIDS Day. In an event marking the day, Health minister George Moyen, UNFPA Representative and UNAIDS Theme Group Chair, David Lawson and UNAIDS Country Coordinator, Louis Ponzio, on the theme linking maternal health, HIV prevention and PMTCT. The Minister reaffirmed the commitment of the Government to fight maternal mortality and on its linkages to HIV/AIDS. He also committed to eradicating mother-to-child-transmission. UNFPA Resident Representative and UN AIDS Theme Group Chair, David Lawson delivered statements by UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid and UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibe. Watch: Tele-Congo
ETHIOPIA: Walta Info reported on 1 December that achieving an AIDS-free generation is possible if the world steps up efforts to provide universal access to prevention, treatment and social protection, according to a new United Nations report released to coincide with World AIDS Day. “To achieve an AIDS-free generation we need to do more to reach the hardest hit communities,” UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake said in New York in launching the report, compiled jointly by UNICEF, UNAIDS, UNESCO, UNFPA and WHO. Read: Walta Info
GEORGIA: 24 Saati and GPB reported on 1 December that UNFPA’s Georgia Country Office marked World AIDS Day by holding a number of informational-educational activities for youth in partnership with the Georgian Youth Development and Education Association (GYDEA), Caucasus Social Marketing Association, Georgian State Pantomime Theatre and Tbilisi Municipality. The celebrities from the famous nation-wide Musical Project “Geostar” joined this initiative. On the same day, Ilia State University hosted the presentation of GYDEA, is a newly established youth organization founded by members of the Georgian Peer Educator’s network with the support of UNFPA’s Georgia Country Office. The event was attended by Gigi Tsereteli, the Deputy Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, partners and representatives from government and non-governmental organizations and youth. Read: 24 Saati and Watch in Georgian: GPB
INDIA: Indo-Asian News Service reported on 1 December that removing deeply-rooted inequities in gender, economic status and education - from which millions of AIDS and HIV positive women and children suffer - is crucial to universal access to knowledge, protection and prevention of mother-to-child transmission, a UN report said. 1 December is observed as World AIDS Day. "Children and AIDS: Fifth Stocktaking Report 2010" by UNICEF, UNAIDS, WHO and UNFPA, said the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV can be achieved through universal access to anti-retroviral treatment. Read: Indo-Asian News Service
JORDAN: Al Arab Al Yawm, Ad Dustour and Al Rai reported on 2-5 December that the Y-Peer network in Jordan, in coordination and support of UNFPA, marked both National AIDS Day and Human Rights Day in a very distinctive youthful way. Y-Peers are conducting a ten day-long campaign under the theme " a message for AIDS to Human Rights: better reproductive health education for youth.” The campaign aims to encourage the integration of reproductive health issues in schools curricula in order to raise young people's awareness in such issues specially their knowledge in physical and psychological changes during adolescence period. The campaign will include different interactive activities such as: theater play, field visits, concerts, open health day, film screening and participation in some sport activities. Read in Arabic: Al Arab Al Yawm, Ad Dustour, Al Rai
LEBANON: As Safir reported on 1 December on an event organized for World AIDS Day by Y-PEER Lebanon, with the support of UNFPA, on 8 and 9 December. The event aims at raising HIV/AIDS awareness among around 800 high school students through Games, Theatre and Dance. It is placed under the slogan “Our Health, Our Right... Let’s Take a Stand”. Read in Arabic: As Safir
PARAGUAY: Multiple media outlets reported on 30 November that on the World AIDS Day, the Executive Director of UNFPA, Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, called for ensuring universal access to health services and expressed her dream to end discrimination and stigma against people with HIV and AIDS. Read in Spanish: Ñandutí, Cerigua, PPN, Neike, La Nación
SRI LANKA: The Daily News reported on 1 December that World AIDS Day 2010 comes at an important time when we have broken the trajectory of the AIDS epidemic, as we begin to see fewer people being infected with HIV. Among young people, in 16 of the most severely affected countries, the rate of new HIV infections has fallen by more than 25 per cent as a result of young people adopting safer sexual practices. UNFPA, in partnership with Sarvodaya Shanthi Sena and the Regional Director of Health Services Vavuniya is commemorating World AIDS Day in the Vavuniya district to highlight this and engage young people to take the lead in raising awareness on HIV/AIDS. Read: The Daily News
SUDAN: The Juba Post reported on 1 December on preparations for the International AIDS Day in Juba and Sudan Tribune reported (from Bentiu, capital of Unity States of Southern Sudan), on 1 December that the International AIDS Day was celebrated encouraging people to get tested for the sexually transmitted virus. In an address to his troops who participated during the procession in Juba to mark the Day, the Chief of General staff, said that people should get ready to fight the pandemic all the time. He called on youth, who are prone to the deadly virus, to abstain from unsafe sex. The officer praised the southern Sudan Aids Commission for disseminating the message about HIV/AIDS to everyone. Eleven Voluntary Testing Centres in Juba were established to encourage soldiers to take the test. The celebration was organized by the Ministry of Health and the AIDS Commission with support from UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNDP, UNICEF, UNMIS and other development partners. The national theme was “Get Tested for HIV. Stay Alive.” Read: Juba Post, Juba Post and Sudan Tribune
TURKEY: Hurriyet reported on 30 November that Turkey could attain “zero infections, zero deaths and zero discrimination" from AIDS, but it will require a change in societal perceptions and proper sexual education in schools, according to a top United Nations health official. “There is a silence about HIV/AIDS in Turkey,” said UNFPA Representative Dr. Zahidul Huque. Read: Hurriyet
CHINA: How Do You Count More Than One Billion People?
CNN reported on 3 December on challenges for China’s upcoming census. "People have little knowledge about the census and often link it to vacancy rates and property taxes. Another reason is that people feel unsafe letting strangers in for fear of being swindled," Yu Xuming, director of the Shanghai census office, told local media. Beijing's Gu Yanzhou attributes such occasional reluctance to "misunderstanding." "Some residents thought the census count might be used to punish them, say, if a migrant family has more than one child," Gu said, noting that information given to census-takers will not be used as the basis for any form of punishment. China has tried to limit population growth by enforcing birth-control rules for the past thirty years, limiting most couples to one child. The government says that without the policy, there would be some 300 million more people. But many families, especially in the countryside, have extra children and have failed to report the births. Couples who have violated the strict rules may be not willing to admit this. When China carried out the 1982 census, the first after Chairman Mao Zedong died in 1976, people were "very cooperative," said Aprodicio Laquian, representative of UNFPA in China during the 1980s. "They lined up patiently to be counted. Now, I hear some residents are hesitant to open their doors." Read: CNN
GLOBAL: CONTINUING COVERAGE ON INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND 16 DAYS CAMPAIGN
ARMENIA: Multiple media outlets reported on 25 November that UNFPA Armenia organized a press conference and photo exhibition to launch the "16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence" campaign. Press conference speakers included Filaret Berikyan, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Issues, Mr. Garik Hayrapetyan, Assistant Representative for UNFPA Armenia, and Mrs. Jina Sargizova, “Combating Gender-Based Violence in the South Caucasus” Project Coordinator, UNFPA Armenia. The speakers presented the campaign details and talked about the current situation with gender violence in Armenia, as well as the Government policy for combating gender violence. Messages from UN Secretary General and UNFPA Executive Director devoted to the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women were distributed during the press conference. Read: Public Radio of Armenia, Noyan Tapan, Ankakh.com. Read in Armenian: News.am, Henaran Press Club, Hayastani Hanrapetutyun, Hotlist.am, Radio Liberty Armenia. Read in Russian: Novosti - Armeniya, Hayinfo.ru, 1News.az
BANGLADESH: The Gulf Times (UAE) and The Daily Star reported on 25-28 November that taking a stand against gender violence, Bangladesh Musical Bands' Association, in association with UNFPA and the Government of Bangladesh, were to hold a concert at the Army Stadium in Dhaka to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Woman. The theme of the concert is “Say No to Violence Against Woman: Be a Real Man.” Read: The Daily Star (28 November) The Gulf Times and The Daily Star
Bdnews24 reported on 24 November that a rally was organized to raise awareness among men and boys to prevent the abuse and harassment of women, especially at home and in the workplace. Speakers expressed their concern over the increasing incidences of sexual violence and suggested that only “men” can stop such incidents from occurring. “It's not exclusively a women's issue. But it is an issue for everyone," said UNFPA Representative Arthur Erken. "It is not inevitable." He said, "A real man doesn't beat up his wife or throw acid. A real man respects women." He called on the government to ensure implementation of the laws and enable men to play a major role to stop such violence. Read: BdNews24
BELARUS: TUT.BY commemorated on 26 November the day of elimination of violence against women. UNFPA Programme Analyst Tatyana Haplichnik, was a guest at TUT.BY TV and discussed the day’s history, the number of women in Belarus who are abused at home, what is done in the country to address the problem and other issues related to the day. Read and watch in Russian: TUT.BY
CHINA: China Daily, CRI English and Xinhua reported on 25 November that the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) and United Nations in China jointly held an EVAW Day event in Beijing themed "UNiTE to end violence against women" to celebrate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The ACWF indicates that women are easy targets for common domestic violence, since figures show the social problem occurring in 30 per cent of China's 270 million families. Women are the victims in 85 per cent of the abuse cases. Read: CRI English, China Daily, Xinhua
CUBA: Cubahora reported on 25 November on the commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The article outlined the proliferation of violence against women around the world, noting that UNFPA estimates that between 85 and 114 million women and girls, most of whom live in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, have undergone this bitter experience, that as well as being painful, can cause infection and lead to death since they are done in places without proper conditions and with rudimentary perforating objects that have not been sterilized. Read in Spanish: Cubahora
GEORGIA: Multiple media outlets reported on 23-26 November on the official opening of the 16 Days of Activism organized by UNFPA in Georgia and supported by the Parliamentary Council on Gender Equality and the State Inter-Agency Council on Domestic Violence on 25 November. Rusudan Kervalishvili, Vice Speaker of the Parliament and Chairperson of the Gender Equality Council, Lali Papiashvili, Chairperson of the State Inter-Agency Council on Domestic Violence, Jamie McGoldrick, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Georgia and Lela Bakradze, UNFPA Assistant Representative a.i. in Georgia made opening speeches at the press conference. Within the framework of the event, an award ceremony for the Best Gender Media Works contest was held. The contest was announced in the beginning of 2010 within the framework of the UNFPA-implemented project “Combating Gender-based Violence in the South Caucasus” and aimed at raising journalists’ professional interest in women’s rights and domestic violence. Read: GINSC, 24 Saati, The Messenger and OnlineNews.GE and in Georgian: Radio Tavisupleba and 24 Saati
GUATEMALA: CIMAC reported on 23 November on a forum to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against women. The forum, titled "The impact of violence against women in areas of public and political participation in South-Western Region" was conducted by UNFPA in coordination with women's organizations in the region. Yolanda Avila, UNFPA gender officer, said the aim was to deepen and analyze the impacts of violence against women in all its manifestations, as part of the commemoration of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Read in Spanish: CIMAC
IRAN: IRNA published a statement on 27 November by UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. “We are convinced that a coordinated and comprehensive approach will move us closer to a world where women and girls can live free from fear, violence and discrimination, reach their full potential, and enjoy equal opportunity and mutual respect and confidence with men,” said Ms. Obaid. Read: IRNA
THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA: Multiple media outlets reported on 25 November on an event organized by UNFPA to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. “I Have the Courage and Strength to Say NO to Violence. You can do it, too!” is the slogan of the public awareness campaign for prevention of domestic violence, currently running on national media. The campaign is a part of the Joint Programme implemented by five UN agencies: UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNIFEM and WHO and the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy. Read in Macedonian: Kirilica, Mnogoo, eReporter, DW-World, Netpress
MALDIVES: Minivan News reported on 27 November that a nationwide campaign against domestic violence dubbed “1 in 3” was launched to coincide with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The campaign was launched by the Maldivian Network on Violence Against Women, a loose coalition of NGOs and individuals who came together to advocate for pioneering legislation on domestic violence currently before parliament. While a draft for domestic violence legislation had existed for several years, the opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party’s women’s wing announced the development of a bill to be submitted to parliament earlier this year. The announcement was welcomed by President Mohamed Nasheed, who argued that a bipartisan effort to pass the legislation was more likely to succeed. The bill, supported and facilitated by UNFPA, aims to “make domestic violence illegal, to prevent domestic violence from occurring, to provide justice to survivors of domestic violence and abuse as well as to ensure state responsibility in providing services to address domestic violence-related crimes in society,” according to a press statement by the NGO Network. Read: Minivan News
TUNISIA: Le Renouveau reported on 26 November on a workshop on the elaboration of a national monitoring and evaluation mechanism of GBV held by the Ministry of Women, Family, Children and the elderly in collaboration with UNFPA, within the celebration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The meeting was held to boost efforts to promote the development of programmes and strategies that will create a practical and qualitative change in the fight against GBV. UNFPA Assistant representative Leila Joudane welcomed the Tunisia’s efforts since 2008 to implement a national strategy for the prevention of GBV in order to preserve the dignity of women and protect them against all forms of discrimination. Read in French: Le Renouveau
YEMEN: Yemen Observer published on 27 November UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid’s statement marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Read: Yemen Observer
CHINA: Survey Underscores Adolescents’ Reproductive Health Needs
People’s Daily reported on 11 November the results of a national survey on adolescent reproductive health. Recent figures show that 22.4 per cent of all unmarried teenagers have already had sex and that 51.2 per cent among them did not use any contraception the first time. The survey was conducted by UNFPA, the National Working Committee on Children and Women, and Peking University. Read: People’s Daily
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: CONTINUING COVERAGE ON UN MDG SUMMIT
GLOBAL: IPS reported on 22 September that as a three-day anti-poverty talkfest drew to a close, the United Nations shifted its focus from the poor and the hungry to two of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in society: women and children. The means: pledges and commitments of over $40 billion in funding over the next five years from over 35 governments, 15 charitable institutions, seven U.N. agencies, 13 private corporations and more than 50 NGOs. Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA, told IPS that "women who die are just the tip of the iceberg." Every year, she said, millions of women suffer injuries related to pregnancy and childbirth. One of the most severe is fistula: a devastating birth injury that often leaves women ostracized by their families and communities. "We need more action. We have to strengthen health systems so they can deliver for women, when women are ready to deliver," she added. Read: IPS
AFP reported on 22 September that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on announced a $40 billion drive to improve the health of women and children, which he said would save millions of lives around the world. UNFPA Executive Directory Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, called advancing the health and rights of women "one of the greatest social causes of our time." Read: AFP
CHINA: Xinhua reported on 20 September that, as world leaders gathered for the MDG Summit, the head of UNFPA urged world leaders to boost funding for reproductive health, including family planning, and put women's health at the centre of their national plans to reduce the number of women dying of conditions related to pregnancy. "Now is the time to move from speech lines to budget lines," said Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, UNFPA's Executive Director. "The health of women is not the focus of the health sector alone. The health of women depends on planning and investments across many sectors -- in education, health, nutrition, gender equality, and infrastructure," Ms. Obaid said. Read: Xinhua
IRAN: Iran News reported on 22 September and IRNA and ISNA published a press release on 21 September on UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid’s call on world leaders to increase funding for reproductive health, including family planning, and place women’s health at the centre of their national plans. Read: IRNA and in Farsi: ISNA
NIGERIA: The Punch reported on 22 September that UNFPA has urged world leaders to boost funding for reproductive health, including family planning. It also called on the leaders to put women‘s health at the centre of their national plans to reduce the number of women dying of pregnancy-related problems. “Now is the time to move from speech lines to budget lines,” Thoraya Obaid, UNFPA‘s Executive Director, said. Read: The Punch
THE PHILIPPINES: The Manila Bulletin reported on 25 September that several international organizations, led by the United Nations and WHO and other multilateral agencies have rallied behind the launching of a global and concerted effort to save the lives of more than 16 million women and children, particularly in poor countries. “The Global Strategy asks us to be smart, strategic, and resourceful as never before,” WHO Director-General Margaret Chan said in a statement. She said the integrated action of eight international health-related agencies, including UNICEF, UNFPA, UNAIDS, and WHO “will strengthen capacities across the board, in ways that meet the comprehensive needs of women and children.” Read: The Manila Bulletin
PORTUGAL: Publico published an op-ed on 24 September in time for Portugal’s MDG 5 campaign by UNFPA's Goodwill Ambassador, Catarina Furtado, calling for more progress on the MDGs. Ms. Furtado stressed that she is deeply satisfied when she sees success on the ground, especially on MDG5, on maternal health, which is the hardest to achieve as she called for an acceleration of progress. She explained how UNFPA, along with local partners and the rest of the international community, have identified strategies for improvement, including greater access to family planning and increased investment in reducing maternal death. Read in Portuguese: Publico
PORTUGAL: Publico published an op-ed on 22 September by UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid highlighting how both UNFPA and Portugal are making a difference in countries like Guinea-Bissau, Timor-Leste and Mozambique and commending Portugal for maintaining its support despite the financial crisis.
SIERRA LEONE: The Mail and Guardian published an op-ed by journalist Mariama Kandeh on 22 September citing the MDG Summit as an opportunity to raise efforts among Africans to end the practice of female genital mutilation/cutting and stand up for gender equality. She noted that UNFPA estimates that 82 million girls in developing countries, who are now between the ages of 10 and 17, will be married before they turn 18. Many of these girls will be forced to bear children before their bodies are ready, which will endanger their health and place them at a higher risk of complications during pregnancy or childbirth. Read: The Mail and Guardian
UNITED STATES: The Huffington Post published a blog by Evelyn Leopold on 20 September arguing that “The statistics for maternal mortality have improved by 34 percent. That means a woman is no longer dying every minute, but one woman is still dying every minute and a half. No doubt prenatal care, malnutrition, access to a hospital and skilled practitioners and professionals could prevent most of the deaths. As could education for girls that keeps them in school longer. But the squeamishness of talking about family planning or contraception -- in short sex -- is a no-no in many nations. An estimated 215 million women in the developing world want to delay or avoid pregnancy but have no access to contraception or fear the side effects or their families object, says the UNFPA.” She continued, “Thoraya Obaid, the executive director of UNFPA, proposes ‘a one-stop-shop', where they can get family planning; care before, during and after childbirth; nutrition advice and services for HIV and AIDS," adding: "’If every woman enjoyed the right to sexual and reproductive health, maternal death and disability would be rare and not the devastatingly common tragedy it is today." Read: The Huffington Post
CHINA: Putting Minds At Ease
Beijing Review reported on 23 September that addressing psychosocial needs is a vital part of disaster recovery and reconstruction, members of a Sichuan support team said at a meeting in Beijing on 21 September. At the meeting, which was jointly held by the Ministry of Health and UNFPA, team members shared their experiences and discussed the best practices of a community-based approach to ensure long-term psychosocial support in the post-disaster period of the Wenchuan earthquake and other natural disasters. Read: Beijing Review
CHINA: China On-Track for MDGs, Says UN Resident Coordinator
Xinhua reported on 21 September that "China is a very good MDG performer," said UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in China Renata Dessallien at a press briefing in Beijing. China has already met several MDG targets ahead of schedule, including reducing poverty and hunger, enrolling children in school, and reducing child and under-five mortality, she said, adding that China's success in lifting millions out of poverty is unprecedented. The number of the poor people in China's rural areas fell from 85 million people in 1990 (9.6 per cent of the total rural population) to 35.97 million people in 2009 (3.8 per cent of the total rural population), said Bernard Coquelin, representative of UNFPA. Read: Xinhua
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."
WORLD POPULATION DAY COMMEMORATED ON 11 JULY
GLOBAL: UN News Centre reported on 11 July that with dozens of countries carrying out United Nations-supported national censuses this year, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon marked this year's World Population Day by stressing the importance of gathering information to bolster good governance, transparency and accountability. “Population data helps leaders and policy-makers to make informed decisions about policies and programmes to reduce poverty and hunger, and advance education, health and gender equality,” Mr. Ban said in his message for the day. Read: UN News Centre
Multiple media outlets published a statement by UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid on 10 July commemorating World Population Day on 11 July. Ms. Ahmed noted that in the past 30 years, UNFPA has helped develop the capacities of countries in collecting and analyzing data. Currently, a central aspect of UNFPA support is directed at the implementation of the 2010 round of censuses of population and housing, which are to be conducted between 2005-2014. Read: Inter Press News (Georgia), in Spanish: La Prensa (Nicaragua) and La Nacion (Paraguay) and in Portuguese: Agencia de Noticias da AIDS (Brazil)
IPS reported on 8 July that as the international community readies to commemorate World Population Day, the United Nations is reviewing the state of the world's women - and how they stack up against the risks of maternal mortality and the lack of universal access to reproductive health. A U.N. report on the status of the eight MDGs, including drastic reductions in hunger and poverty, says there has been slow progress in expanding the use of contraceptives by women primarily for two reasons: poverty and lack of education. “The use of contraception is lowest among the poorest women, and those with no education," it says. The study points out that "the unmet need for family planning remains moderate to high in most regions, particularly sub-Saharan Africa". At least one in four women aged 15 to 49, who are married or in a relationship, have expressed the desire to use contraceptives but do not have access to them. Still, progress has been recorded by many countries on maternal mortality. "We welcome the MDG reports indication of progress, with some nations significantly reducing maternal death ratios," said Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA. Read: IPS
ALGERIA: El Watan, La Tribune and El Moudjahid reported on events marking World Population Day in Algeria. Lindsay Edouard, UNFPA Representative in Algeria, spoke about the Fund's work, and the significance of the theme “Everyone Counts” in relation to UNFPA’s work, which seeks to reduce poverty and promote rights and health for all. Read in French: El Moudjahid and El Watan
AZERBAIJAN: Today.Az reported on 6 July and AzerTAJ reported on 5 July on commemorations of World Population Day in Azerbaijan, which included a roundtable on ensuring security of population co-organized by the Ombudsman Office of Azerbaijan and UNFPA. Read: Today.Az and AzerTAJ
BOLIVIA: Multiple media outlets reported on 11 July on commemorations of World Population Day, including the release of a new report, “Bolivia: Population, Land and Environment,” prepared by the Ministry of Planning and UNFPA. The report shows the importance of population dynamics, and its relationship to development at a time when, in Bolivia, young people make up the majority of the population. UNFPA Representative Jaime Nadal pointed out that the high proportion young people represents an opportunity, but policy makers must work to support young people to fulfill their potential. Read in Spanish: El Deber, Jornada, La Prensa, Prensa Latina
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA: Multiple media outlets reported and published UNFPA statements on 11 and 12 July marking World Population Day and preparations for the upcoming census. Read in Bosnian: Bitno, Hayat, 24Sata and Liljan
BRAZIL: Ascom reported on 11 July that UNFPA celebrated World Population Day by inviting all Brazilians to participate in the 2010 Census, to be conducted by the Brazilian Institute of Statistics (IBGE) beginning 1 August. According to Harold Robinson, UNFPA Representative in Brazil, participation in the census is key for ensuring a successful data collection that will provide inputs for good public policies formulation and monitoring. Read in Portuguese: Ascom
BURKINA FASO: Le Pays and Sidwaya reported on 8 and 12 July on the commemoration of World Population Day. The National council of the Population (CONAPO) in partnership with UNFPA/Burkina, organized a public conference on the topic: “The importance of the data for development.” The conference underscored the theme for the day, addressing the ways in which data can make a positive impact on policies and programmes that improve peoples’ lives. Read in French: Le Pays and Sidwaya
CAMBODIA: Multiple television and radio outlets and the newspaper, Rasmei Kampuchea reported on 11 July on the Prime Minister’s message marking World Population Day. In the message, the Prime Minister called on government ministries to build strong partnerships with UNFPA and other development partners to address women’s health issues, particularly maternal health.
CHINA: Xinhua reported on 10 and 11 July and Global Times reported on 9 July on observations of World Population Day in China and around the world. China announced that it would recruit 6.5 million census workers as the international community set out to observe a day devoted to raising awareness of population issues and the vital nature of census taking to global development and sound policy making. Discussing the theme, "Everyone Counts," UNFPA's Christian Delsol said, "This timely theme builds on the ongoing 2010 round of censuses." He continued, "Analysis of census data can provide the links between population phenomena and human rights, gender equality, reproductive health and maternal mortality." Bernard Coquelin, Representative of UNFPA in China, emphasized the importance of reliable data for development. Referring to the theme, he said that “it implies that not only is it essential to count the number of people who live in communities, cities and countries, but also that each person should be respected and valued by ensuring that their rights are protected and that they have equitable access to basic social services.” Read: Xinhua (11 July) and Xinhua (10 July) Global Times
CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE): Congo-site and Les Depeches de Brazzaville reported on 9 July on a workshop jointly organized by the Economy and Planning Ministry and UNFPA to validate the results and analysis of the census data, which were expected to be released as part of the commemoration of World Population Day. The workshop gathered demographers, statisticians and technical experts from government agencies and UN agencies and was facilitated by UNFPA. In his opening address, UNFPA Representative David Lawson congratulated the government on leading the census to completion, allowing for a full review of the progress toward the MDGs. He added, "The government contribution to the costs of the census has reached over 90 per cent, which is highly noteworthy and admirable in Africa, with the financial and technical support of UNFPA." Read in French: Congo-Site and Les Depeches de Brazzaville
EL SALVADOR: ElSalvador.com reported on 11 July on World Population Day, and the theme, “Everyone Counts,” and UNFPA’s emphasis on the significance of accurate census data for informing good government policies.
FIJI: Fiji Times and FijiVillage.com reported on 11 and 12 July on World Population Day celebrations, which highlighted the role that censuses and population data play in development and humanitarian response and recovery. "With quality data we can better track and make greater progress to achieve the MDGs and promote and protect the dignity and human rights of all people," UNFPA said. Fiji has the second largest concentration of elderly people in the Pacific according to UNFPA Pacific Representative Dirk Jena, who was speaking at the World Population Day celebrations. Read: Fiji Times and FijiVillage.com
GERMANY: ARD Tagesthemen reported on 11 July on World Population Day. The story featured comments by Anne Wittenberg, UNFPA External Relations Officer in Geneva. She said: "Being counted is being visible and important for claiming rights. In many parts of the world people are not counted/registered. But being registered with a birth-certificate for example tells my government that I will need a place in school later on for example." The piece is about the importance of being registered and counted in developing countries.
INDIA: Orissa Diary, the Central Chronicle and MedIndia reported on 10 and 11 July on events marking World Population Day in Orissa and Madhya Pradesh states and around the world. The Family Planning Association (FPA) in collaboration with UNFPA organized public awareness campaign about population education in trains and railway stations as well as bus stations in various cities in Madhya Pradesh. A team of youth volunteers distributed pamphlets and performed street plays for the benefit of passengers. The programme covered almost all the major trains passing through the Bhopal stations. Orissa Diary noted that “On the occasion of World Population Day-10, Government of Orissa chose to initiate measures to 'Repositioning Family Planning Programmes' in the state with focus on taking forward the Programmtic Interventions in a more comprehensive way.Sensing the need to strengthen Family Planning Programmes in Orissa, "State Family Welfare Cell' with Support from UNFPA (Global Developmental Partner for Family Planning Programme) has been established “ and reported that UNFPA State Head Hemant Dwivedi was among the officials who attended the event. Read: Orissa Diary and MedIndia
JORDAN: The Jordan Times reported on 9 July that data are considered the most powerful input than can ensure sustainable development, provided it is based on careful and in-depth analysis, said HRH Princess Basma. The Princess, who is UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador, made the remarks during a ceremony marking World Population Day, held this year under the theme, “Data for Development: Everyone Counts.” “This year’s theme is extremely important: we need to bear in mind that research needs to be people-oriented and take into consideration people’s needs, challenges and aspiration to ensure that they are not figures in the abstract,” the Princess highlighted. Read: The Jordan Times
KENYA: The Daily Nation reported on 11 July on World Population Day. As it prepared to launch a new effort to ensure completion of Kenya’s 2010 census, UNFPA marked World Population Day with a message by UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid called for urgency in completing censuses. “Censuses are central to UNFPA’s mandate and mission to support countries in using population data for policies and programmes to reduce poverty,” she said. Read: The Daily Nation
DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA: Xinhua (China) reported on 10 July that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea will strengthen its cooperation with UNFPA, an official said. Yang Song Il, a section chief of the Population Center, spoke on the occasion of the World Population Day, which falls on July 11, the official news agency KCNA reported. The 2007-2010 fourth cooperation programme between the UNFPA and the DPRK would be finished and the 2011-2013 fifth cooperation plan will be worked out this year. Mr. Yang said,"We will continue surveys in different fields to make contribution to the development of national economy and public health and further strengthen the cooperation with international organizations, including the UNFPA."
MALAWI: The Nation reported on 11 July that in a statement marking World Population Day, UNFPA Communications Officer Pilrani Semu-Banda said that if people and their characteristics are not counted, governments cannot plan. Malawi recently conducted a census, which reported that the country’s population has reached 13 million. UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid said in her statement marking the day that good data are critical for evidence-based policies and programmes for improving people’s lives. Read: The Nation
MOLDOVA: All Moldova reported on 11 July that in conjunction with a message from UNFPA marking World Population Day, UNFPA declared, “Moldova should take strong action in order to successfully conduct the census until 2014." The UNFPA Assistant Representative in Moldova, Boris Gilca, told a news conference that according to UN and EUROSTAT’s recommendations, the period between national censuses should not exceed 10 years. Since Moldova conducted its last census in October 2004, the next census in Moldova should be held no later than 2014, which is also the limit year in the current round of global censuses (2005-2014). Read: All Moldova
MOZAMBIQUE: Autarca, Radio Mozambique and Domingo reported on 9-11 July on commemorations of World Population Day in Mozambique. To mark the occasion, Patricia Guzman, UNFPA Representative in Mozambique, visited the province of Inhambane to promote World Population Day. During her visit, Ms. Guzman met with community members and partners in the city of Inhambane and in the districts of Maxixe and Morrumbone as well as peer activists from the UNFPA-supported organization Geração Biz and midwives. She said that the theme aims at raising awareness about the importance of using reliable data to plan development interventions.
MYANMAR: People’s Daily (China) reported on 11 July that Myanmar is striving for the realization of the MDGs, calling on its people to work together with the government. With the theme "Everyone Counts," Myanmar observed the World Population Day, reflecting its active participation in realizing the UN aims and objectives as a member of the global family. Read: Xinhua
NEPAL: NTT reported on 11 July that various programmes such as rallies, discussions and special health service camps were organized to mark the World Population Day, with its stated slogan “Everyone Counts.” Reliable information is essential for governments to formulate policies that would meet people’s needs and improve their lives, according to Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA. “’Everyone counts,’ the theme of this year’s Day, highlights the compelling stories that numbers tell us about people,” said Ms. Obaid. “On this World Population Day,” she added, UNFPA asserts the right of everyone to be counted, especially women, girls, the poor and marginalized.” Read: NTT
NIGERIA: The Daily Trust and ThisDay reported on 8 July on celebrations of World Population Day in Nigeria. ThisDay noted that the National Population Commission and UNFPA said they are about to commence activities leading to the implementation of the 2010 round of population and housing censuses in the country. Read: ThisDay
PAKISTAN: The News International reported on 7 and 10 July that World Population Day would be commemorated on 11 July with the theme "Everyone Counts" with a special focus on women and children. The theme of the day has been decided considering the fact that counting everyone is an integral part of ensuring everyone's equal rights. This year, World Population Day highlights the importance of data for development. The focus is on the 2010 round the population and housing census, data analysis for development and UNFPA's lead role in population and development. Read: The News International (10 July) and The News International (7 July)
PANAMA: La Prensa reported on 11 July on World Population Day commemorations in Panama and around the world, including a statement by UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid to mark the day. Read in Spanish: La Prensa
PARAGUAY: Multiple media outlets reported 9-11 July on the commemoration of World Population Day around the world and in Paraguay, as well as the priorities for the upcoming census. In addition to reporting on UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid’s statement marking the day, the articles addressed issues related to the upcoming census in Paraguay. Among the issues discussed was the recognition that the last population count had what were described as serious deficiencies in measuring the actual number of people with disabilities. The next one, scheduled for 2012 offers an opportunity to improve measurement. According to Aldo Natalizia of UNFPA, there is no more relevant source of information than the census, because it guides decisions around a country’s policy-making and implementation. Read in Spanish: La Nacion, ABC, IP Paraguay, PPN, Ultima Hora
PHILIPPINES: The Manila Bulletin reported on 11 July and published an editorial on 10 July on World Population Day celebrations. The Bulletin wrote, “offices of UNFPA and the organizations they work with mark the day with celebrations of their programmes, poster and essay contests, sports events, concerts, and other activities that highlight population issues and efforts to resolve them.” Read: The Manila Bulletin (11 July) and The Manila Bulletin (10 July)
SUDAN: Sudan Vision Daily reported and Al Safa reported on 11 July on World Population Day. This year, some 60 countries are collecting data and counting people as part of the 2010 census process. A census is the only statistical operation that covers the whole population and all areas of a country. UNFPA and other partners are supporting this massive effort in many parts of the world. The theme of this year’s World Population Day is “Everyone Counts.” To be counted is to become visible. This is especially important for women and young people. Read: Sudan Vision Daily
SWAZILAND: The Times of Swaziland reported on 7 July that this year’s World Population Day was to be commemorated 11 July. Government Press Secretary Macanjana Motsa said Swaziland routinely joins the global community in commemorating World Population Day on July 11 each year. The celebration is coordinated by the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development through the National Population Unit with the support of UNFPA. This is also done in collaboration with regional authorities and key stakeholders, including the Central Statistics Office who are co-opted on the basis of the theme for that particular year. "The theme that has been selected by the UNFPA headquarters for this year is ‘Everyone Counts’ with a focus on the 2010 round of the population census," said Ms. Motsa. Read: The Times of Swaziland
TAJIKISTAN: Asia Plus and Khovar reported on 7-10 July on commemorations of World Population Day in Tajikistan. UNFPA and State Statistical Agency representatives made presentations related to the UNFPA CO mandate in Tajikistan and forthcoming census to be conducted in Tajikistan from 21-30 September, 2010. According to UNFPA Representative Michael Jones, the theme for WPD 2010 is “Everyone Counts” because of the focus on the 2010 round of census and UNFPA’s leading role in population and development.
TURKEY: Today’s Zaman reported on 11 July on the commemoration of World Population Day. The article noted, “This day was established by the UN Population Fund in order to raise awareness of how international family planning can help slow population growth and save the lives of women and children. Every year World Population Day has its own specific theme, and this year’s theme is 'Everyone Counts,' highlighting the importance of reliable demographic data in development.” Read: Today’s Zaman
UGANDA: The New Vision published an op-ed on 10 July by UNFPA Representative Janet Jackson and Population Secretariat acting Director Charles Ziarema to mark World Population Day. They wrote, “In Uganda, the UNFPA and the Population Secretariat have been in partnership since 1988, working together with the Government and civil society so that everyone born into the world has a dignified place in the world and advancing the right of individuals to determine freely and responsibly the number and timing of their children. For this to happen, the needs of the population have to be planned and managed from the household and national levels, using robust data.” Read: The New Vision
The Monitor reported on 9 July that population experts have called for more investment in family planning services which they say will cut unwanted pregnancies and reduce maternal deaths. Speaking in Nebbi District ahead of World Population Day, UNFPA Representative Janet Jackson said investing in family planning services can help mothers delay or space their births. "We should not be looking too much into the numbers - whether they are too many or too few people but the people behind these statistics," Ms. Jackson said. Read: The Monitor
UNITED STATES: CNN Radio reported on 11 July on World Population Day, as UNFPA spokesman Ralph Hakkert explained why Americans should be concerned census data collected around the world. Listen: CNN Radio
URUGUAY: El Pais reported on 11 July on World Population Day, and the theme “Everyone Counts.” Alfonso Farnós of UNFPA was one of several demographers interviewed on the day’s theme and its significance for Uruguay. Mr. Farnos said that an accurate census can save lives and improve quality of life for current and future generations. The article noted that in Uruguay, the demographic situation is characterized by an increase of elderly population, a low fertility rate and high numbers of young people migrating abroad. The next census will be held in 2011. This year, the census will address new issues, such us housing, disability, use of communication and information technology and ethnic origin. Read in Spanish: El Pais and Brecha
VENEZUELA: Reporte 360 and El Informador reported on 11 July that with the slogan “Everyone Counts,” UNFPA reiterated its commitment to cooperate y in the generation of data on population dynamics for the formulation of policies and programmes that reduce poverty and ensure that each pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, every young person is free of HIV / AIDS and every girl and woman is treated with dignity respect. Read in Spanish: Reporte 360 and El Informador
VIET NAM: Multiple media outlets reported on 9 and 10 July that a meeting to commemorate the World Population Day 2010 was organized by Ministry of Health, Ha Noi Peoples’ Committee and the United Nations in Viet Nam. At the celebration, UNFPA Deputy Representative Urmila Singh called for concerted efforts from the government, donors, development agencies and civil society organizations to protect the gains achieved so far and continue to push forward on the population issues in the future. ”Our progress to achieve the ICPD Programme of Action and the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 must remain a priority. We must join forces to make sure that individual human beings are at the very heart of the development process, to ensure universal access to reproductive health and to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment,” said Ms. Singh. Read in English: Vietnam News Agency VOV News, Viet Nam Plus, Viet Nam News, Women's Views on News and in Vietnamese: Family and Society, VOV News, Health Communication and Education, DT News, Communist Party Online, Peoples' Representative, Peoples' Police, Nan Dan
Multiple media outlets reported on 9 July on an interview with Urmila Singh, UNFPA Deputy Representative, on the occasion of the World Population Day 2010. In the area of reproductive health and family planning, Viet Nam has made substantial progress in expanding reproductive health services, integrating family planning into pre and post-natal care and in HIV prevention, according to the UNFPA Deputy Representative. However, certain population groups, such as young people, migrants and ethnic minorities, have limited access to sexual and reproductive health information and services, including family planning services. In addition, the unusually rapid increase in Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) is a major challenge for Viet Nam. Though the government of Viet Nam has clearly regulated that sex determination of a foetus and abortion for sex selection are illegal, efforts need to be dedicated towards changing couples’ traditional preference for male children, as well as towards empowering women’s position in the family and society as a whole. Read in Vietnamese: Family and Society 2, Peoples' Representative
YEMEN: Multiple media outlets reported on 12 July that Sana'a governorate organized a celebration on the occasion of World Population Day under the theme of “Everyone Counts” in collaboration with the National Population Council and UNFPA. UNFPA’s statement on the occasion was delivered by UNFPA Assistant Representative Himyar Abdulmoghni, and addressed the importance of data for planning and making informed decisions. Data is critical to guide plans, policies and programmes to meet people’s needs and improve their lives, the UNFPA statement said. Only by considering the needs of all women and men, girls and boys, can we achieve the Millennium Development Goals in Yemen, UNFPA statement concluded. Read in Arabic: Yemen TV, Alwahdah, Althawra, 14October, Saba’a, and Al Syasiah
ZIMBABWE: The Standard reported on 11 July on the commemoration of World Population Day and support from UNFPA and other international agencies for the upcoming census, which will be conducted by Zimbabwe’s statistics agency, ZimStat.
CHINA: Poll Finds Youth Need More Reproductive Education
The People’s Daily and Beijing Review reported on 5 May that youth in China are becoming more open about premarital sex, but their awareness of reproductive health and safe sex remains relatively low, the first-ever extensive nationwide survey on the subject suggests. Nearly 70 percent of those who had been sexually active first had sex before they were 20 years old and, alarmingly, more than half of them did not use any contraceptives at the time, said the poll conducted by Peking University, the National Working Committee on Children and Women under the State Council and the UNFPA. Read: People’s Daily and Beijing Review
COVERAGE ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY AND BEIJING+15
IPS published, on 8 March, excerpts of an interview with Irina Bokova, who was recently elected director-general of UNESCO. The article focused on gender empowerment as part of UNESCO’s agenda and beyond, noting that she joins a number of women heads of UN agencies, including UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid. “My election as director-general is perhaps more indicative of the trend that competent and qualified women have a better chance of competing for these very high level posts now than ever before," said Ms. Bokova. Read: IPS
IRNA (Iran) and The Yemen Observer (Yemen) and Oslobodjenje (Bosnia-Herzegovina) and Khovar (Tajikistan) published UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid's statement marking International Women's Day on 7 and 8 March. In the statement, Ms. Obaid said, “UNFPA remains fully committed to working with partners to advance women’s empowerment, gender equality and reproductive health and rights. With ideas spreading faster than ever, here is an idea whose time has come: We stand a better chance of solving the world’s problems if men and women join together as equal partners in finding innovative solutions.” Read: IRNA and Yemen Observer and in Russian: Khovar
UN News Centre and Xinhua (China) reported on 5 March and IPS reported on 7 March that, at an event in New York, Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA, said that people are critical agents of change in all cultures, who must be engaged to promote the rights of women and protect them from violence. Discriminatory attitudes and harmful practices are deeply rooted and are often stronger than the laws banning them, she said in a keynote speech at “2020 VISION, Mobilizing for Women’s Rights and Eliminating Violence Against Women,” which was organized by the Women’s Learning Partnership and the Social Research journal at The New School for Social Research. Read: UN News Centre
The Huffington Post (United States) published a blog on 5 March by television producer and writer Tamar Abrams marking International Women’s Day with a call to end maternal mortality. Maternal deaths in developing countries could be slashed by 70% and newborn deaths cut nearly in half if the world doubled investment in family planning and pregnancy-related care, according to a report released two months ago by the Guttmacher Institute and UNFPA. The new report, Adding It Up: The Costs and Benefits of Investing in Family Planning and Maternal and Newborn Health, found that investments in family planning boost the overall effectiveness of every dollar spent on the provision of pregnancy-related and newborn health care. Read: The Huffington Post
BANGLADESH: The New Nation reported on 8 march that, to celebrate the 100 years of the International Women's Day, Channel i will air a special programme on the status of women in Bangladesh. Assistant Representative of the UNFPADr. Nur Mohammad and Assistant Professor of Gender and Women Studies of Dhaka University Prof Imtiaz will take part in the discussion. Read: The New Nation
BELARUS: BELTA reported on 2 March on remarks by Tatyana Haplichnik, UNFPA Programme Analyst at a press conference on the eve of the International women's day conducted within the framework of the Global Campaign of the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Unite to end violence against women'. UN representatives, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the territorial center of social services took part in the media event. Read in Russian: BELTA
MOZAMBIQUE: Daily Notícias reported on 6 March that UNFPA reiterates its support to women’s empowerment. It quoted UNFPA Executive Director, Thoraya Ahmed Obaid as saying that the organization “remains fully committed to working with partners to advance women’s empowerment, gender equality and reproductive health and rights”. The article highlighted some challenges faced by women, namely deaths due to complications of pregnancies and childbirth, forced marriages and unequal treatment.
PARAGUAY: La Nacion reported on 8 March on maternal health in Paraguay and around the world as Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA, called for eradication of maternal mortality in her statement on International Women's Day. In Paraguay, the death of a woman means that at least 3 children are left without a mother. Considering the total fertility rate, this represents about 350 children who lose their mothers every year. Read in Spanish: La Nación
TANZANIA: The Guardian, The Citizen and The Daily News reported on 6-8 March on International Women's Day, with stories refelcting on gains and losses and calling for more action to protect women's rights in Tanzania and around the world since the 1995 Bejing Platform of Action. In an op-ed in The Guardian, UNFPA representative Julitta Onabanjo called for solidarity with Tanzanian women, and pledged UNFPA's continued support for efforts to promote women's rights and combat the disproportionate burden of poverty borne by women in the country. In addition, a symposium was held at the UN offices in Dar es Salaam to mark the 15th anniversary of the Bejing Platform of Action. Ms. Onabanjo told symposium participants that the symposium was organized to improve understanding of the Beijing Platform. “We want you to know that what importance it has today for the young people in this country, and what you can do to address and advocate for girls and women in this country.”
TURKEY: Today's Zaman published an op-ed 7 March by Gülay Aslantepe, ILO Ankara office director and Maurizio Busatti, IOM Turkey representative, co-chairs of the United Nations Turkey Gender Thematic Group on progress toward the Bejing goals in Turkey, and on UN agencies’ work in the country, noting that UNFPA Turkey is working with the national government to improve reporting, complaint and enforcement systems for women’s rights. Its activities are focused on strengthening capacities at both national and local levels for monitoring, protecting and enforcing the rights of women and children. Read: Today's Zaman
UAE: Gulf News published a column by Sanya Nayeem, the Deputy Readers Editor, marking International Women's Day. She noted that, according to the UNFPA(UNFPA), women currently constitute over two-thirds of the illiterate adult population worldwide. They also represent 70 per cent of the planet's poor — a reality that became more severe after the recent global economic crisis. Read: Gulf News