MADAGASCAR: Coverage of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
Efforts Must be Deployed to Fight Violence Against Women
The Association “Caravane des femmes pour la paix” has organized a debate based on a film projection on a woman’s life who is a victim of multiple violences committed by her husband.
Read : Midi Madagasikara (26 November) (www.midi-madagasikara.mg)
BOLIVIA: UNFPA Releases Web Portal In Native Languages
El Deber reported 22 November on the launch of a UNFPA web portal in the three most common indigenous languages in Bolivia, Quechua, Aymara and Guarani. Read in Spanish: El Deber
ARGENTINA: Argentina Elected to ECOSOC
Cronista reported 22 November that General Assembly of the United Nations elected Argentina to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It is a principal organ of the UN and is responsible for coordinating the work of economic, social and environmental development of the Organization. The ECOSOC is responsible for coordination of the 14 UN specialized agencies, functional commissions, as the Commission for Social Development and the five Regional Commissions, including ECLAC. It also receives reports on the performance of funds and key programs, such as UNDP and UNFPA. Read in Spanish: Cronista
ARGENTINA: Seminar on Gender-Based Violence Led By UNFPA
Territorio Digital, Critica Digital, Rafaela, Rio Negro and El Liberal reported 22 November on a seminar on gender-based violence organized by the United Nations Gender Group in Argentina, and led by UNFPA. Read in Spanish: Territorio Digital, Territorio Digital, Critica Digital, Rio Negro and El Liberal
UGANDA: Family Planning Key To Slowing Uganda’s High Population
The Sunday Monitor reported 22 November that, speaking during a recent district leaders meeting on population and development organised by the Population Secretariat and UNFPA in Kampala, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, the chairman of the parliamentary Forum on Population, Food security and Development, said the high fertility rate among Ugandan women, where on average, a mother gives birth to seven children in her lifetime, is driving the country’s fast-growing population. Read: The Sunday Monitor
PARAGUAY: Steps To A New Youth Law
Jakueke reported 22 November that 100 young people aged 18 to 30 years arriving from across the country participate in the National Meeting, "Towards a Youth Act in Paraguay," developed in the Fifth Ykuá Sati, in Asuncion. The gender advisor of UNFPA, Mirtha Rivarola, expressed the "real needs" of this sector of the population. Read in Spanish: Jaku’eke
PARAGUAY: Gender Violence Training For 130 officers.
Jakueke reported 22 November that awareness workshops on gender violence were held in 15 departments and promoted by the Support to Women (SEDAMUR), the Directorate for Equal Opportunities (DIO) of the Women's Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic (SMPR), NGO "Centre for Comprehensive Care (CEDAI)" and "Collective November 25,” with support from UNFPA, UNIFEM and AECID. Read in Spanish: Jakueke
KENYA: Training On Safe Childbirth Planned
The Daily Nation reported 22 November that The Division of Reproductive Health and UNFPA have planned a training workshop on obstetric fistula management targeting doctors and health workers from the district hospitals. Read: Daily Nation
REPUBLIC OF CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE): UNFPA Donates Medical Equipment As Part of Maternal Health Strategy
Congo-Site reported 21 November and Les Depeches de Brazzaville reported 17 November on UNFPA’s donations of medical equipment to major hospitals in Congo, which is a part of its maternal health strategy. Read in French: Congo-Site and Les Depeches de Brazzaville
BOTSWANA: Budget Cut For 2011 Population Census
The Sunday Standard reported 21 November and Mmegi Online reported 19 November that the government cut its budget for the upcoming 2011 census, noting that Argentina Matavel, a representative of the UNFPA said that she will advocate for Botswana to be supported to have a successful census. She said that she will be leaving the country in the next few days, after serving for three years, but she will make sure that the UNFPA gives both technical and financial support for the census. Read: The Sunday Standard and Mmegi Online
ZIMBABWE: Men Heed Circumcision Call
The Sunday Mail reported 21 November that, at meeting in Nyanga last week under the Zimbabwe Aids Network (ZAN) banner, UNFPA country office official Dr Clemence Benedict said in a presentation at the meeting that more than 80 percent of men aged between 15 and 64 in all Kenyan provinces except Nyanza, were circumcised. Read: The Sunday Mail
NEPAL: Maternal Mortality – Who’s Counting?
The Guardian (UK) published, on 21 November, a submission for a journalism contest reporting on inconsistencies between the United Nations’ and the Nepalese government’s estimates of maternal mortality in the country. "These inconsistencies are important because accurate data is crucial for planning effective policies," says Ian McFarlane from UNFPA. "But the geography of Nepal means this is especially difficult to collect. First you have to assume the district office keeps precise records. Then you have to get to the district office. Then you have to hope that the office will be open. If it's not? Well, there will be a blank space on the form." Read: The Guardian
INDIA: Sex Selection Just A Click Away
The Hindustan Times reported 21 November that, according to UNFPA, the natural sex ratio at birth is 940-950 girls per 1,000 boys. Easy access to diagnostic technology has led to India's sex ratio falling from 945 in 1991 to 927 in 2001.
REPUBLIC OF CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE): Workshop On PRSP Strategies
Congo-Site reported 20 November on on a UNFPA strategy and action to strengthen Congo PRSP results-based management through M&E national capacity building. Read: Congo-Site
U.N. In Final Push For 2015 Development Goals
IPS reported 20 November that, at a high-level meeting on maternal health in Ethiopia last month, executive director of UNFPA, Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, said women are dying because for too many years, women's lives, dreams and rights have not been given the priority attention they deserve. Obaid, who concurs with the secretary-general that MDG 5 is "the goal lagging the furthest behind", outlined some of the success stories on maternal health in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Over the past five years in Rwanda, the use of modern contraception has nearly tripled, skilled birth attendance has increased from less than 40 percent to more than 50 percent, and deliveries in health facilities have jumped from less than a third to nearly half of all deliveries. Read: IPS
VENEZUELA: Women Apacuanas Fight Gender-Based Violence
Nueva Prensa reported 20 November on a campaign by the Women's Committee to increase reporting of gender-based violence. The Women’s Committeeis composed of several organizations struggling for gender equality in the state, among them are: INAMUJER, Madres del Barrio and UNFPA. lives. Read in Spanish: Nueva Prensa
UNITED STATES: Student Travels Overseas, Aids Abused Women
SW News Herald (Chicago) reported 20 November that Nicole Paprocki, of Oak Lawn, traveled this past summer to a UNFPA field programme to meet one of the 2009 International Honorees for the Health and Dignity of Women.UNFPA provides women’s health care and promotes the rights of women in 150 countries around the world. Read: SW News Herald
SWAZILAND: People With HIV Have Rights
The Times of Swaziland reported 20 November that, in Swaziland, the Family Life Association of Swaziland (FLAS) in collaboration with the Government of Swaziland, Ministry of Economic Planning and Development, National Population Unit with funding support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) have implemented a number of activities which are in line with the goals of the ICPD. The focus of the activities has been on Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) and in particular the issues of death of pregnant mothers due to pregnancy related complication, commonly referred to as Maternal Mortality, Gender based violence and Women’s Rights, Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights of People Living with HIV, Rights of People with Disabilities. Read: The Times of Swaziland
SIERRA LEONE: Muslim Congress Wins UNFPA Western Area Debate Competition
Awoko reported 20 November that The Youth and Adolescent Network on Population conducted a debate competition in which selected schools in the Western Area participated at China House, Brookfields, and Freetown, where UNFPA Representative Fiona Kaikai mentioned that her organization is working in partnership with the Ministry of Education to promote education and further aid in the elimination of HIV/AIDS. Read: Awoko
PHILIPPINES: Business Groups Work For RH Compromise
The Philippine Inquirer reported 20 November on debate over the pending reproductive health bill, noting that Jo M. Inbong, a lawyer representing Archbishop Paciano Aniceto, D.D., head of the Episcopal Commission on Family and Life depicted the RH bill as part of an imperialistic agenda of the US, the UNFPA and other family planning advocates. Read: The Philippine Inquirer
PERU: Experts Meet In Lima To Discuss HIV Prevention
Orbita and RPP reported 20 November on a meeting for Latin American public health experts on HIV/AIDS prevention, focusing on the potential held by the female condom for preventing HIV/AIDS. UNFPA informed the group that, in Peru, one in three people with HIV/AIDS is a woman. Read in Spanish: Orbita, RPP
PAKISTAN: UNFPA To Help Ministry In Implementing Youth Policy
The News International reported 20 November that The Ministry of Youth Affairs and UNFPA planned to sign memorandum of understanding under which UNFPA will provide technical and financial assistance to the ministry for the implementation of National Youth Policy. Read: The News International
REPUBLIC OF CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE): UNFPA Defines Priorities
Congo-Site reported 19 November on UNFPA top priorities in Congo for 2010 at a press conference by Resident Representative David Lawson. Read in French: Congo-Site
CAYMAN ISLANDS: Minister Offers Backing For Promotion Of Safe Sex
Cayman Islands News Service reported 19 November on a workshop on Condom Programming and Promotion in the Prevention of HIV and Unplanned Pregnancies. The multi-agency workshop workshop is a collaboration by UNFPA and the Ministry of Health, intended to strengthen Cayman’s national family planning and reproductive health programmes. Read: Cayman Islands News Service
ASIA/PACIFIC: Pacific Parliamentarians Called To Act On Climate Change
PacNews reported 19 November on a meeting of Pacific parliamentarians in the Cook Islans, which included a presentation by UNFPA.
SOMALIA: UNFPA Conducts Joint Operation With Somali COGWO Organization
Somaliweyn Media Centre reported 19 November that UNFPA and the largest women Organization group in southern Somalia have jointly conducted operation to salvage ailing Somali women who are suffering from fistula. UNFPA has implemented and this project in number of big towns in Somalia including Borama and Mogadishu. Read: Somaliweyn Media Centre
RWANDA: UNFPA Representative Bids Farewell to First Lady
The New Times reported 19 November that Therese Zeba, UNFPA Resident Representative, bid farewell to First Lady Jeannette Kagame, ending a-two-anda-half year tenure as the head of the agency in Rwanda. Read: The New Times
LIBERIA: “The New War Is Rape”
IRIN reported 19 November that AFELL, along with UNFPA and other institutions, helped the Liberian government set up a special court on rape and sexual violence in September 2008 and is now trying to encourage more survivors to bring cases forward. So far the court has processed just four cases. There is still a big discrepancy between the number of medical cases reported and the number of police reports filed county by county, according to Sadiq Syed, Gender Based Violence (GBV) adviser at UNFPA. Read: IRIN
INDIA: Nitish Demands Panel To Assess Poverty
The Times of India reported 19 November on the Bihar Poverty Reduction Summit, which was attended by a representative UNFPA. Read: Times of India
GUATEMALA: Guatemala Slowly Confronts Widespread Rape of Women
The Christian Science Monitor reported 19 November that, for rape in Guatemala, reliable numbers would focus the government's attention, and that could help shape policies, says Nadine Gasman, Guatemala's representative for UNFPA. It's really important to acknowledge that this is not normal, that this is not the way things should be. It haunts these girls all their lives," she says. "We need to find ways to prevent it from happening. I'm a strong believer that if the state would take the lead, it would make a huge difference." Read: Christian Science Monitor