MEXICO: Lack of Resources Make 2010 Census Thinner
El Economista reported 7 December that Mr. Diego Palacios, UNFPA Mexico Representative and Director for Cuba and Dominican Republic said that, as census data is the centre of a national statistics system, the census are investments, not expenses. Read in Spanish: El Economista
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Adolescent Pregnancy: A Fatal Game
Listin Diario reported 7 December that Gilka Melendez, country representative of UNFPA, believes that more planning and communication is necessary in Dominican households. "Sex education is still a taboo subject," said Ms. Melendez. Read in Spanish: Listin Diario
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Repositioning Family Planning Conference Held
L’Avenir, L'Observateur and Le Potentiel reported 7 – 11 December on the national conference for repositioning family planning in the DRC, ahead of its 8 December opening ceremony. The conference was organized by UNFPA, USAID, C-Change and the government, and was to be chaired by the first lady. During two days, national authorities, national experts as well as foreign experts, members of the national and international NGOs intervening on the issue reproductive health, will discuss about ways and strategies to reposition family planning in the country. Read in French: L’Observateur (11 December), Le Potentiel, L’Avenir, L’Observateur,
REPUBLIC OF CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE): UNFPA Organizes Strategic Workshop On Research
Les Depeches de Brazzaville reported 7 December on a strategic workshop, co-organized by UNFPA, the Congolese Universite Marien Ngouabi and French University Rene Descartes (Paris 5), held in Brazzaville, to enhance university research on population, education and health, and to sensitize students on a newly designed Masters degree in Population and Development. Read in French: Les Depeches de Brazzaville
BANGLADESH: Speaker for Controlling Population To Ensure Development
The New Nation reported 7 December Speaker of Jatiya Sangsad Md Abdul Hamid Advocate said no development programmes would be successful without controlling the increasing population in the country. There is no alternative to controlling population boom to make a habitable environment for the future generation, he told a workshop on 'Reproduction health and rights, gender and HIV/AIDS' for officials of the Sangsad Secretariat at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban here. The Sangsad Secretariat and the UNFPA jointly organized the workshop, an official release said. Read: The New Nation
CONTINUING COVERAGE ON RELEASE OF UNFPA AND GUTTMACHER INSTITUTE “ADDING IT UP,” REPORT ON FAMILY PLANNING
MEXICO: CIMAC reported 7 December that the Guttmacher Institute and UNFPA estimate that annually there are around 20 million unsafe abortions and about 3 million of the 8.5 million receive no treatment to address post-abortion complications. Read in Spanish: CIMAC
ZIMBABWE: Maternal Health, Where Do We Stand?
The Herald reported 7 December on maternal health in Zimbabwe, noting that, that according to UNFPA, the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) rose from 283 deaths per 100 000 live births in 1994 to 695 deaths per 100 000 live births in 1999, an increase of more than 140 percent. Read: The Herald
YEMEN: With UNFPA Support, Islah Charitable Society Provides Dignity Kits To Alleviate Suffering Of Idps.
14 October Newspaper reported 7 December that the Director of Charitable Social Society Welfare (CSSW), Dr. Mohamed Alkobati, emphasized the importance of efforts’ synergy to provide support and assistance to the internal displaced persons (IPDs) of Sada war. He also emphasised the importance of maintaining the relationship and partnership between the CSSW and UNFPA through the quality and accuracy in the implementation of joint projects. This came in his remarks in the opening workshop on communication skills and psychosocial support to those affected by this war, which was organized by the relief programme at CSSW for 15 participates and funded by UNFPA. Read: in Arabic: 14 October
UGANDA: Lives, Economy At Risk As Temperatures Rise
AFP reported 7 December that that the average temperature in Uganda will increase by up to 1.5 degrees Celsius over the next two decades, severely damaging agriculture and livelihoods of rural communities, according to a report. Countries in Africa's Great Lakes region will also experience a similar rise unless human activity causing climate change is checked, said the State of Uganda Population Report 2009 published jointly with the UN Population Fund.
SIERRA LEONE: Demographic and Health Survey Launched
Awoko reported 7 December on a ceremony launching the country’s demographic and health survey. UNFPA representative in Sierra Leone also spoke about the severe consequences of the brutal war on the country’s economic, social and health development. She assured that UNFPA will continue their support to Statistics for it to reflect on the PRSP. Read: Awoko
THE PHILIPPINES: Aklanon Coed Is Youngest UNFPA Exec
The Independent reported 7 December that a 20-year old student from the Systems Technology Institute (STI-Kalibo) is being considered as the youngest executive of UNFPA-Philippines and to represent the youth sector in the country. Read: The Independent
PARAGUAY: School Health Data Was Presented
Ultima Hora reported 7 December on the presentation of preliminary results of the School Health Program, addressed by the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Public Health, in conjunction with the Programme Investing in People of the United Nations, UNDP / UNICEF / UNFPA.Read in Spanish: Ultima Hora
OPT: First Swine Flu Cases Reported in Gaza
IRIN reported 7 December that the first five cases of the H1N1 flu in the Gaza Strip were confirmed, noting that UNFPA’s estimate for Gaza’s population is 1.4 million. Read: IRIN
OPT: Event Marks Solidarity Day
Al-Quds and Al-Ayyam reported 7 December on UNFPA's participation in the Solidarity Day with Palestine that the Ministry of Social Affairs organized on 7 December 2009. Both articles quote the UNFPA representative's statement marking this occasion.