RWANDA: UNFPA Donates to Rubavu Women
The New Times reported on 7 March that UNFPA has donated 500 health kits to victims of recent floods in Rubavu district The kits contained towels, kitenge cloths, blankets, Sosoma (a combination of sorghum, soya and maizeflour), sugar and other material for home use. Jane Abatoni, the vice chairperson of the women rights umbrella group, PROFFEMES Twesehamwe, said that they decided to approach UNFPA for these vital kits because they believe women and children were most affected by the floods. "When you give to a woman you give the whole family," she said. Speaking to the affected residents, UNFPA country representative, Ian Howie, said that the support is in line with the agency's mission of fostering reproductive health and rights. Read: The New Times
ZIMBABWE: Television Drama Targets HIV and Married Couples
The Herald reported on 7 March on a television programme dramatizing the risks of HIV/AIDS infection for married women, noting that Caroline Nyamayemombe of UNFPA said, "Married women continue to face the high risk of HIV/AIDS infection, because it is difficult for them to persuade their partners to use condoms when they suspect them of having extra-marital affairs or relationships." Read: The Herald
UGANDA: 16 Year Old Wins UNFPA Contest
New Vision reported on 7 March that a 16-year-old boy from Ayul village in Kitgum won last year’s poster campaign organised by UNFPA. Francis Oryema’s entry was a drawing of a man taking his child to school. The picture impressed the panelists from Makerere, Kyambogo and Gulu universities, the Straight Talk Foundation and the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social development. Read: New Vision
UGANDA: Traditional Leaders Join HIV Fight
The New Vision reported on 7 March that traditional leaders have resolved to contribute to the prevention of HIV/AIDS. They also promised to promote maternal health by promoting positive aspects of culture in their communities. This was at the end of a three-day meeting organised by the Uganda AIDS Commission, UNAIDS and the UN Population Fund in Masindi district. The meeting was attended by representatives from 15 cultural institutions. Read: The New Vision
UGANDA: Country Needs 2,000 More Midwives
The New Vision reported on 7 March that the Health Ministry has called on the government to increase funding for the training and improvement of working conditions for midwives. This, officials argue, will reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS, and maternal and infant mortality rates. Dr. Irene Akena, an advisor to the health ministry and UNFPA, said about 6,000 women die while delivering every year. Dr. Akena warned that the country is headed for disaster if measures are not taken to boost the number of skilled birth attendants. Uganda is short of 2,000 midwives, she said. Read: The New Vision
TANZANIA: UNFPA Donates Contraceptives to Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
The Daily News and Mwananachi reported on 6 and 7 March that the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has received a number of supplies amounting to 1.5 billion Tsh from UNFPA in order to assist family planning in the country. UNFPA Representative Julitta Onabanjo donated the contraceptive supplies, pills and syringes to assist family planning and reduce mortality rates. “Each year 800 women in Tanzania die due to pregnancy related complications, these contraceptives will help reduce the mortality rate and miscarriage and also that family planning is the only method for couples to plan when and how many children they want to have,” she said.