YEMEN: With UNFPA Support, CSSW Reproductive Health Project Launches Raising Awareness Activities
Marebpress and Al-Tagheer reported on 14 April that the Project of Reproductive Health and Family Planning at Charitable Society for Social Welfare (CSSW) launched its raising awareness, training, and service activities for 2010 by organizing the fourth annual meeting for project branches coordinators in 14 governorates. The project’s director, Khaldone Al-Madhagi, stated that the activities aim at raising public awareness on reproductive health issues, family planning and providing services in the targeted areas. He added, the activities of this year, which are supported by UNFPA, include organizing health educational sessions for men and women, theatrical shows, workshops for local councils’ leaders, in addition to providing services through mobile and semi-mobile clinics as well. Read in Arabic: Marebpress and Al-Tagheer
NEPAL: Reintegration Challenges for Maoist Female Ex-Combatants
IRIN reported on 14 April that former female Maoist combatants in Nepal are facing a new fight - reintegrating into their communities and returning to civilian life. Female combatants made up a sizable portion of the Maoist’s military wing, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), with the party saying a third of the soldiers were women. Women in Nepal face ingrained discrimination because of the country’s traditionally patriarchal nature and can be further disadvantaged depending on their caste, ethnicity and geographic location, according to the UN. Despite recent efforts to address gender inequality through legislation, women are deeply limited in areas such as asset and property ownership, inheritance, income and employment conditions and political representation, as documented by UNFPA. Read: IRIN
LIBERIA: Audit Finds Donor Fund Surplus
The New Democrat reported on 14 April that an audit reveals that during 2007 and 2008, Family Health Division received a total of US$666,452.11 from UNFPA and UNICEF. For the same period, the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) received the total of US$1,295,649.00 from UNICEF, USAID, MERLIN, UNDP, German Agro Action, and Medical Team International. The Fistula Project on the other hand received the sum of US$353,047.00 from UNFPA for the period January 2007 to December 2008. The Auditor General, John Morlu said, "An examination of MOH&SW's bank statements produced by the Central Bank of Liberia revealed that at the end of fiscal year 2007/2008 on 30 June 2008, there was an unspent balance of US$486,763.65 which became the opening balance on July 2008, the beginning of fiscal year 2008/2009.” Read: New Democrat
GEORGIA: White Ribbon Alliance Co-Founder Michael Kaufman Visits Georgia
InterPress News and GINSC reported on 14 April that White Ribbon Alliance co-founder Michael Kaufman delivered a public advocacy speech complemented by a press conference at the Metekhi Sheraton Palace Hotel. Other speakers at the event included Vice-speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, Chair of the Advisory Gender Equality Council Rusudan Kervalishvili, Vice-Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia George Tsereteli, Ambassador of the United States of America to Georgia and UNFPA Assistant Representative in Georgia Tamar Khomasuridze. Dr. Kaufman conducted a three day regional training (TOT) on the role of men in advancing gender equality and ending violence against women. 30 male participants from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia will participate in the training. The initiative was organized within the framework of the UNFPA implemented project “Combating Gender-Based Violence in the South Caucasus.” Read in Georgian: InterPress News and GINSC
CAMEROON: Ndedi Eyango – Ambassador For Women
Cameroon Tribune reported on 14 April that Prince Ndedi Eyango, the renowned Cameroonian artist, assumed the position of spokesman and icon for women and youths. The artist signed a partnership accord with UNFPA to partner for the well-being of women and youths in Cameroon. Read: Cameroon Tribune