UNFPA in the News

OMAN: Birth Spacing Crucial

tidwell — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:50:42 +0000

The Oman Daily Observer on 21 May reported that "With a majority of the local population having children within a short gap between each other, the Sultanate is bracing for a major risk of unhealthy birth-spacing according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)." Read in English: Oman Daily Observer

ZIMBABWE: Focus Needed On Youth SRH

tidwell — Sun, 19 May 2013 11:44:22 +0000

The Standard on 19 May reported that "adolescent girls aged between 15 and 19 constitute a quarter of the 960 women that die as a result of pregnancy-related complications in Zimbabwe, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has said. UNFPA country representative, Basile Tambashe said there is need to place a special focus on young people's sexual and reproductive health and rights." Read in English: The Standard

GEORGIA: European Youth Parliament Begins

tidwell — Sat, 18 May 2013 09:09:48 +0000

Several media outlets reported on 18 May that the first regional session of the European Youth Parliament – Georgia kicked off in Telavi, Kakheti. 80 youth representatives from all the regions of Georgia gathered for three days around a theme - Setting Directions for a Better Future. The first Telavi regional session was supported by UNFPA within the frameworks of UN Joint Programme “To Enhance Gender Equality in Georgia” and Telavi Municipality.

In the opening speech UNFPA/Georgia Assistant Representative, Mrs. Tamar Khomasuridze emphasized the importance of the event and underlined UNFPA/Georgia’s readiness to further support the projects designed and implemented by young people.

The delegates of the European Youth Parliament–Georgia discussed various issues and topics, such as women’s rights and gender equality, human rights, environment, public health and food safety, etc.

UNFPA is opening opportunities for young people through incorporating youth issues into national development strategies, expanding access to gender-sensitive sexual and reproductive health education, promoting a core package of health services and commodities for young people, and encouraging youth leadership and participation. Watch in Georgian: 1TV, Info9 Read in Georgian: ICK, Kakhtin News

COMOROS: Head of State Launches Campaign to Reduce Maternal Mortality

tidwell — Fri, 17 May 2013 09:18:03 +0000

Alwatwan on 17 May reported that the campaign to reduce maternal mortality in Africa (CARMMA) was officially launched in the Comoros on 16 May at the Palace of the people. The ceremony under the theme "no woman should die giving life" assembled a crowd heavily dominated by women from different parts of the country. "The right to life by giving life is a universal human right and that every woman must fully enjoy this right," said Douglas Casson Coutts, Resident Coordinator of the UN System and UNFPA Representative. In addition, the President of the Republic announced the appointment of a CARMMA ambassador whose mission, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, is to accelerate the reduction of maternal mortality so that fewer women die in childbirth.

ZAMBIA: Ready to Advocate Against Early Marriage

tidwell — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:41:00 +0000

The Times of Zambia on 15 May reported that UNFPA is ready to partner with Zambian firt Lad Christine Kaseba to fight against early marriage. Dr. Osotimehin is quoted in the article. Read in English: Times of Zambia

KYRGYZSTAN: Country Has One of Highest Maternal Mortality Rates in Asia

tidwell — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:20:17 +0000

Khabar.kz on 15 May reported that with 50 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, Kyrgyzstan has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in Central Asia, according to international organizations at a National Workshop held on 14 May in Bishkek to accelerate achievement of Millennium Development Goals. It is predicted that Kyrgyzstan cannot achieve one of the MDG’s by 2015 - to reduce maternal mortality by two-thirds. International organizations in cooperation with the Kyrgyz government developed an emergency plan for reproductive health services, antenatal care, delivery and postnatal care and emergency obstetric care, with the aim to reduce maternal mortality. Meder Omurzakov, UNFPA Assistant Representative in Kyrgyzstan, explains “It is difficult to achieve rapid change because it is a very complex task, and requires a significant sector-wide approach.” Read and watch in Russian: Khabar.kz, Ca-News, Kg.akipress

BELARUS: Photo Exhibit Promotes Family Values

tidwell — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:16:06 +0000

Belta.by on 15 May reported on a photo exhibit jointly organized by UNFPA and mobile operator MTS. The exhibition, “Communicating Generations” has opened in Minsk with the aim to strengthen and promote family values. Images show the important and touching moments of family history, said UNFPA Programme Coordinator, Tatiana Haplichnik, at the opening of the exhibition. “We hope that this exhibition will inspire Belarusians to exhibit more respectful attitudes towards each other.” Read in Russian: Belta.by and sb.by

UKRAINE: UNFPA Calls Attention to Reproductive Health and Family Planning

tidwell — Wed, 15 May 2013 09:39:39 +0000

Rada TV Channel on 15 May reported that to mark the International Day of Families and Family Planning week in Ukraine, UNFPA called for continuous efforts in order to further enhance reproductive health and family planning in the country. Dr. Pavlo Zamostian, UNFPA Assistant Representative, said that UNFPA in Ukraine works with the government and international development partners in order to enhance maternal and family planning services as well as provide support to enhance the sexual and reproductive health education of adolescents. Watch in Ukrainian: Rada TV Channel

BOLIVIA: UNFPA Reps Sign Cooperation Agreement with Norwegian Government

tidwell — Wed, 15 May 2013 08:57:24 +0000

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

ARMENIA: Census Data Processing in Armenia Continues

tidwell — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:04:04 +0000

Multiple media outlets on 14 May reported that Deputy Prime Minister Armen Gevorgyan met yesterday in New York with UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin. Gevorgyan thanked UNFPA for their assistance in the national population census held in 2011, saying that processing the data from the census is not yet completed. Both parties commented on the importance of creating databases in UN member states and also discussed future cooperation. Read in Russian: Panorama and Armtown