TAJIKISTAN: Tajiks to Conduct Census
The Times of Central Asia reported on 13 April that UNFPA will assist the Tajikistan census within the UNFPA Country Programme for Tajikistan for 2010-2015.
MALAWI: Celebrating Pregnancy to Fight Maternal Deaths
The Daily Times reported on 13 April on the positive influence that demystifying pregnancy and childbirth could have on maternal health. “If we had cultivated the practice of celebrating pregnancy, of enjoying it, of making it news to our neighbors and relations and colleagues, we would prevent some of the maternal deaths we are facing because there would always be someone to help,” said Juliana Lunguzi, Reproductive Health officer for UNFPA. The article noted that in 2003, UNFPA conducted a study on obstetric fistula in Malawi, finding that women are rarely responsible for making decisions to seek medical care, and that, when in labor, women often wait until dark for transport to health facilities out of embarrassment, resulting in a delay which can be life-threatening.
GAMBIA: Involving Security Agents To Stop FGM/C
Today reported on 13 April that members of the country’s security apparatus have been called upon to put an end to the incidence of female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM/C) and other forms of violence against women and girls. This appeal was made at a training programme targeted at security officers in different regions of Gambia organized by GAMCOTRAP under the UNFPA joint programme to accelerate the elimination of FGM in Africa. The training targeted fifty security officers in the Central River Region held at the Bansang Youth Centre. Read: Today
COTE D’IVOIRE: UNFPA, African Development Bank Contribute Medical Equipment
Nord Sud reported on 13 April that as part of a multi-sectoral support project in a crisis resolution setting, UNFPA and the African Development Bank contributed equipment worth an estimated 30 million CFA francs or US$66,000 to the University Hospital of Bouake’s gynecologic services.
COVERAGE ON UN COMMISSION ON POPULATION
EFE reported 13 April that at the opening session of the Commission on Population reminded representatives of the UN that although life expectancy has increased in the last half century in all regions of the world, advances in the field of medicine have not reached everyone in the developing world and millions of people still die from diseases that can be prevented. "Please, don’t be mistaken; health is an integral part of economic and social development,” said Deputy Executive Director of UNFPA, Purnima Mane. In all indicators of development, improvements in the health field are associated with increased revenues and improved socioeconomic status, Ms. Mane added. Read in Spanish: EFE
GLOBAL: UNFPA Calls For More Resources for Reproductive Health
Web Murcia (Spain) reported on 13 April that UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid requested emergency resources to close the gap in reproductive health in order to achieve the Millennium Development Goals to improve health and reduce poverty. Ms. Obaid warned that 215 million women in the developing world lack access to effective contraceptive. Read in Spanish: Web Murcia