BOLIVIA: UNFPA Reps Sign Cooperation Agreement with Norwegian Government
Multiple media outlets on 14 and 15 May reported that UNFPA representatives in Bolivia and the government of Norway signed an agreement of cooperation. The project's objective is "to contribute to the exercise of sexual and reproductive rights of adolescents and youth and promote the right to a life free from sexual violence." Read in Spanish: ANF, Los Tiempos, El Sol, El Potosí, REDHUM, El Cambio
PARAGUAY: Midwifery Saves Lives
Villarrica online.com reported on 7 May that in developing countries it is important to strengthen reproductive health services because, according to the UNFPA, investment in midwives is key to preventing maternal deaths. Trained midwives can prevent the deaths of approximately 300,000 poor women each year in developing countries and about two million newborns. Read in Spanish: Villarrica online.com
PARAGUAY: Investing in Midwives Prevent Maternal Deaths
Multiple media outlets reported on 6 May that investing in midwives is key to preventing maternal deaths. The outlets highlighted that about 222 million women have no access to modern family planning methods to prevent abortion. Therefore, UNFPA and ICM urged governments to work together to close the gap in the lack of access to midwifery services and encouraged them to support quality training, innovative technologies and creating enabling environments for midwives to meet the vital functions they play in communities and societies, especially in developing countries. Read in Spanish: Radio Ñanduti, Neike, PPN
PARAGUAY: Investing in Midwives, Key to Preventing Maternal Death
Multiple media reported from 3 to 5 May on the importance of investing in midwives, in the context of International Midwives Day. They emphasized that UNFPA and the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) highlighted the work of midwives and their contribution to the wellbeing of women and children around the world. Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, UNFPA Executive Director, said that "we need to invest in human resources for health, especially midwifery, as this is one of the most beneficial investments a country can make to accelerate their progress." Read more in Spanish: La Nación Digital, Diario ABC Color, P y N, Enlace Global, Frontera CDE.
BOLIVIA: Maternal Health Improving
Multiple media outlets on 22 April reported that the traditions of indigenous midwives remains in rural Andean Bolivia while in the east pregnant woman are seeking occidental medical care. William Michel, UNFPA's consultant in sexual and reproductive health and maternal health, said that in recent years health care to pregnant women in Bolivia increased from 60% to 70%. Read in Spanish: Los Tiempos, Nuevo Herald (US), Terra Peru
BOLIVIA: Delegation Prepares for UN Indigenous Permanent Forum
Correo del Sur on 21 April reported that social and indigenous organizations met at the Foreign Ministry with the aim of preparing the Bolivian delegation to participate in the XII UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, which will take place from 20-31 May. "It is a preparatory session for the Bolivian delegation to the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the Forum basically gives opportunity for indigenous peoples of the world, to discuss issues concerning their needs, their development, their demands, "said Jaime Nadal, UNFPA Representative in Bolivia. Read in Spanish: Correo del Sur
BOLIVIA: Debate on Youth Employment Policies
Terra Peru on 17 April reported that municipal government representatives of several Latin American countries debated the importance of employment policies for youth as a key factor of social development and poverty reduction. UNFPA's Representative in Bolivia, Jaime Nadal, stressed the importance of what is called the "demographic dividend" as a development opportunity for the countries of Latin America. Read in Spanish: Terra Peru
PARAGUAY: Frente Guasu and Kuña Pyrenda Guasu Sign Commitments for Children
La Nación announced on 9 April that the candidates for President of the Republic by the Frente Guasu, Aníbal Carrillo, and Kuña Pyrenda, Lilian Soto, signed the 20 commitments to improve the quantity and efficiency of investment in childhood and adolescence. The document contains 20 specific actions to be implemented by the next government to strengthen the National System of Integral Promotion and Protection, reduce infant mortality, improve the quality of education, protect against abuse trafficking and exploitation, and introduce measures for specific vulnerable populations, such as early childhood, adolescents, children with disabilities, indigenous and Afro. Read in Spanish: La Nación
PARAGUAY: 20 Commitments for Children and Adolescents Signed
La Nación reported on 9 April that the candidates for the Presidency and the Vice Presidency by movement Paraguay Alegre, Efraín Alegre and Rafael Filizzola, signed 20 commitments to improve the quantity and efficiency of investment in childhood and adolescence. This activity is part of the "Ask your candidate," UNICEF promoted to the Front for Children and Adolescents, which is composed of UNFPA, Association Trinidad, ICDR, CDIA, Dequení, CCFC, Teleton, Global Children together for Education, Paraguay Educa, Paraguay Plan, Save the Children and UNICEF. Read in Spanish: La Nación
PARAGUAY: Youth Initiative Launched
Ñanduti reported on its website on 20 March, the results of the Joint Opportunities Youth, Employment and Migration Initiative. The initiative is funded by the Fund for the Achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG-F) and engages the Ministry of Finance, Justice and Labour, Foreign Affairs, Education and Culture and Women, the Ministry of Planningand the Vice Ministry of Youth, UNDP, ILO, UN Women, UNICEF and UNFPA. The main objectives of the initiative are to promote income generating capacity and employment for the young and vulnerable, create favorable conditions for the use of remittances and access to information for potential migrants, and explore strategies for youth domestic employment. Read in Spanish: Radio Ñanduti
PARAGUAY: Maternal Deaths of Adolescent Girls Increasing
ABC Colour reported in its print edition on 18 March that in Paraguay, according to 2008 data, 538 births were to girls aged 10-13 years, and 191 to adolescents aged 14-19 years. 52% of women aged 15-19 reported being sexually active. This data was released by UNFPA. Dr. Adriane Salinas, UNFPA's reproductive health officer, said that "in our country, a large proportion of adolescents are exposed to high levels of vulnerability, resulting from poor access to education and information, poverty, situations of violence as girls, and informal work and homeless.” Read in Spanish: ABC Colour
PARAGUAY: Mapping Settlements
Multiple media outlets reported between 15 and 16 March on a workshop in which technicians worked on a questionnaire for the survey of informal settlements. The survey was developed by the organization A Roof for My Country (Roof-Paraguay). Opening the meeting, which was supported by UNFPA, UNFPA Assistant Representative Manuela Escobar Argaña, emphasized that in the ICPD, held in 1994, there was talk of settlements as a problem that must be addressed with public policy. Read in Spanish: PPN, SC Noticias, Villarrica online.com
GUATEMALA: Campaign “Protect Me from Pregnancy” Launched
Cerigua on 13 March reported that government officials, civil society representatives and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) launched the campaign "Protect Me from Pregnancy," which aims to prevent pregnancy in girls and adolescents in Guatemala. According to information from the UNFPA, the initiative seeks to sensitize parents and mothers, educators and civil society in general, on the situation, a phenomenon that is growing increasingly in the country. Sexual violence against girls and adolescents is a crime under national legislation.
BOLIVIA: “State of Women in Prisons” Released
Multiple media outlets on 12 March reported on national data regarding the situation of women in Bolivian prisons. The report was presented by "Defensor del Pueblo" with UNFPA's support. The report is relevant in order to take actions to improve the exercise of women rights. Read in Spanish: Correo del Sur, EjuTv, El Deber, FM Bolivia, Noticias Terra Perú, El Universal Ecuador, Sexenio México
CUBA: UNFPA Participates in Havana Youth Forum
Prensa Latina and Radio Habana Cuba on 8 March reported on the closing day of the International Congress of Researchers on Youth held in Havana between 6 and 8 March. Specialists from UNFPA, UNDP and UNICEF participated. Read in Spanish: Radio Habana Cuba and Prensa Latina
PARAGUAY: Adolescent Maternal Deaths Have Reached 15% of Total
Multiple media reported from 4 to 8 March on statements by Dr. Adriane Salinas, a reproductive health officer for UNFPA as part of International Women's Day. The expert said that the increasingly early beginning of sexual activity, violence, poor access to information and services for sexual and reproductive health has resulted in adolescents exposed to early pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
Dr. Salinas said that at 15 to 19 the risk of maternal death, while for those less than 15 years, the likelihood of death during pregnancy, childbirth or suffering from postpartum depression is five time higher than that of an adult woman. Read in Spanish: La Nación, Portal Paraguayo de Noticias, Radio Ñanduti, Diario ABC Colour, Radio Ñanduti, Radio Cáritas
GUATEMALA: UN Urges Equal Treatment for Women
Prensa Libre on 8 March reported that on the eve of the celebration of International Women's Day, representatives of six UN agencies expressed the need for women to have equal opportunities. "There are many inequality and exclusion problems faced by women in Guatemala, but the main, and all agree, is the lack of education, especially in rural areas. A woman who is not educated, is not empowered” said Leonor Calderon, coordinator of the UN system in the country and UNFPA Representative. Read in Spanish: Prensa Libre
Read in Spanish
GUATEMALA: Celebrating International Women’s Day
Reportaje De on 8 March published the statement of the Secretary General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UNFPA Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin.
Read in Spanish: Reportaje De
BOLIVIA: UNFPA Documentation Centre Reopened
PIEB Digital News on 26 February reported that nearly 8,000 publications on sexual and reproductive rights, gender equity, population and development in addition to sociological texts are available for students, teachers and researchers in the social sciences. The database is part of the new documentation centre. UNFPA Representative Jaime Nadal, before signing the agreement to reopen the documentation centre with UMSA's main authority, Rescala Teresa, said that the emphasis in population and development is important because Bolivia is entering a phase of the demographic bonus. Read in Spanish: PIEB Digital News
BOLIVIA: Country Celebrates SWOP Release
Multiple media outlets on 21 February reported on the launch of the UNFPA's State of the World Population report in La Paz, which took place with the support of the Ministry of Health. The ceremony, which was attended by partners and social organizations, included a speech by Celia Taborga, Auxiliar Representative in the country, who emphasized the importance of family planning, saying “family planing should be considered a human right.” Relevant national statistics complement the need for more national compromise regarding family planning. Read in Spanish: Página Siete, La Prensa, FM Bolivia, La Razón, La Razón, PIEB, El Diario, FM Bolivia, FM Bolivia, Opinion, Correo del Sur
GUATEMALA/MEXICO: Rapes Should be Prosecuted
Diario Rotative on 20 February reported that in Guatemala, thousands of girls and adolescents each year become pregnant, most, a product of rape. UNFPA Representative Leonor Calderón is quoted saying that such pregnancies are the result of a crime and should be investigated and prosecuted. Read in Spanish: Diario Rotativo
PARAGUAY: Inclusion of Youth Vital
PPN announced on 15 February that the Front for Children and Adolescents initiative, which is part of UNFPA, will meet with the technical teams of the presidential candidates to promote issues of importance to children and adolescents. The goal is that candidates of the next general election include youth, which make up 40% of the population, in their agendas and proposed government programmes. Read in Spanish: PPN
PARAGUAY: Adolescents Discuss Sex Education
ABC Colour reported on 12 February that a group of teenagers, from the organization Young Presence which works on peer education, conduct a radio program which airs every Saturday on the local station. They address issues related to sexual and reproductive health, family planning, HIV/AIDS and other topics of interest to boys and girls. This venture is supported by the NGO Kuña Roga and UNFPA. Read in Spanish: ABC
PARAGUAY: Community Afrodescendants Presents Cultural Festival
PPN reported on 26 December that the Kamba Cua Group, a member of the Network of Afrodescendants Paraguayan, will celebrate its traditional cultural festival, on 5 January, and invites everyone to participate in the event. This announcement was made at a press conference organized by UNIC. During 2011, the International Year of People of Afrodescendants, the ONU agencies, including UNFPA, UNICEF and UNDP, promoted several activities with the Afro Network, . Read in Spanish: PPN
BOLIVIA: 18 Censuses in Last 184 Years
La Jornada on 10 December reported that UNFPA Representative Jaime Nadal, citing data from the National Statistics Institute, said that in Bolivia over the last 184 years, there have been ten population censuses, four housing censuses, two economic establishments censuses and two agricultural censuses. Read in Spanish: La Jornada
GLOBAL: CONTINUING COVERAGE ON RELEASE OF STATE OF WORLD POPULATION 2012 REPORT
LAO PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC: KPL News on 6 December reported that UNFPA revealed at the launch of the State of World Population Report (SWOP), that although increased contraceptive use has resulted in a 40 per cent drop in unwanted pregnancy over the past two decades, the maternal death toll in Laos is still about 360 deaths per 100,000 births. The SWOP report suggests that a further 30 per cent of maternal deaths could be prevented by improving family planning facilities and giving medical staff larger access to training. Read in English: KPL
KPL News on 5 December reported that the State of World Population (SWOP) Report 2012 entitled “By Choice, Not by Chance: Family Planning, Human Rights and Development” was launched in Vientiane by the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on 30 November. Read in French: KPL
MEXICO: La Jornada and Cimac on 6 December reported that Mexico’s incoming government, directed by Enrique Peña Nieto, must renew population policy in order to make effective changes by priorizing investment in sexual and reproductive health and youth education and employment opportunities. The UNFPA Representative in Mexico, after the launch of the State of the World Population 2012, declared that general population law must be reformed. Read in Spanish: La Jornada
UZBEKISTAN: Society.uzreport on 4 December reported that the UNFPA report, entitled "By choice, not by chance." shows that family planning, due to many factors, has a positive impact on development trends. The report was launched in Tashkent. Read in Russian: Society.uzreport
BOLIVIA: UNFPA and CISTAC Launch White Ribbon Campaign Against Violence
Multiple media outlets on 6 December reported that as part of the White Ribbon Campaign, experts from Mexico, Chile, Argentina and Peru shared their experiences and studies related to different forms of gender-based violence. The Campaign was launched to the national press in UNFPA offices. Read in Spanish: La Prensa, La Razón, Red ERBOL.
COSTA RICA: Reproductive Health Survey Reflects Changes in Sexual Practices
Several media reported on 5 December on information from the National Survey of Sexual and Reproductive Health 2010. The analysis was conducted by an interagency commission, led by the Ministry of Health and with UNFPA’s involvement. The survey says that 40 of every 100 adolescents between 15 and 17 are sexually active, but less than half frequently used a contraceptive method. “A teenager is not going to be responsible for his sexuality while being judged for having sex,” said Oscar Valverde, UNFPA’s SRH consultant. Watch in Spanish: Telenoticias, Channel 7 Read in Spanish: .La Prensa Libre, La Nación (PDF), La Nación (web), La Nación (PDF).
PARAGUAY: Demand Policies for Children and Adolescents
Multiple media outlets reported from 3-5 December on a journalist breakfast hosted by the Front for Children and Adolescents, an initiative composed of 13 international and civil society organizations, including UNFPA. The Front calls on citizens to learn about the candidates proposals on improving the quality of life for adolescents and infants before voting in 2013.
During the breakfast, Manuela Escobar Argaña, Assistant Representative of UNFPA, emphasized the importance of thinking with stakeholders about the consequences of not properly addressing the country's demographic dividend and presented a video the demographic divident concept. Read and watch in Spanish: La Nación, Radio Ñanduti, SC noticias, abctv, ABC Color, La Nación, SC noticias, Última Hora, RGS
MEXICO: MTV Steps in to Raise Awareness
El Universal on 3 December reported that fter producing shows like “Teen Mom” and “16 & pregnant” and knowing the impact and popularity gained in those, MTV had the task of enhancing prevention in children and young people with its last soap opera for Latin America “El ultimo año." The campaign “Sexy sex” will be launched today with the purpose of raising awareness among Mexico’s youth and Latin America, in order to prevent the spread of venereal diseases. “What we look for is to reinforce actions that, as an organization, we have supported for several months in five states of Mexico, and today, we cooperate with this MTV’s initiative in view of their penetration, acceptance and impact among young people,” said Diego Palacios Jaramillo, UNFPA Representative for Mexico. Read in Spanish: El Universal