YEMEN: National Workshop to Update and Integrate Best Practices for Post-Partum Health
Yemen Economist reported on 16 May that the national workshop for updating and integrating best practices for post-partum health, which organized for three days by the Population Sector at the Ministry of Public Health and Population with the support of USAID started in Sana’a. Thirty participants representing universities, hospitals will participate in this workshop in addition to representative from international agencies, including UNFPA. Read in Arabic: Yemen Economist
YEMEN: Local Production Line For Delivery Kit – 30,000 Kits Will Be Produced In 2010
Al-Thawra reported on 16 May that the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (MoSAL) is planning to start full local production for Safe Birthing & Clean Delivery Kits in Yemen. 30,000 kits will be produced during the current year 2010. Director General of Family and Children Department at MoSAL, Rashedah Al-Nusairy said, "The production and sterilizing line of the kit’s materials for home-based delivery will begin next week after providing equipments of this production at a cost of 16,000 dollars provided by UNFPA as part of assistance and contribution to reduce maternal mortality in Yemen. Read in Arabic: Al-Thawra
BELARUS/MOLDOVA: COVERAGE ON INTERNATIONAL FAMILIES DAY
BELARUS: Naviny.by reported on 14 May that the central theme of the International Families Day is the Influence of migration on families in the world. In Belarus, the demographic situation is the following - it is impossible not only to increase its population but to sustain it at the same level without migrants, but quality of life in the country is not high enough to attract migrants in large numbers. UNFPA Programme Analyst commented on the existing state support of the families with children. Read in Russian: Naviny.by
BELARUS: Zautra.by and Tut.by reported on 14 May that practically all modern social trends transform the traditional family. UNFPA Programme Analyst Tatyana Haplichnik meditates on the changes to the family which will become more distinct. According to her, the famolies microclimate will change. Women will demand more active participation of their husbands in the household duties. Read in Russian: Zautra.by and Tut.by
MOLDOVA: Multiple media outlets reported on 10-16 May on the second Family Festival, which aims to raise public awareness of the family values and promote the institution of family and its moral implications, Minister of Labor, Social Protection and Family Valentina Buliga told a news conference organized on 10 May. Deputy UNFPA Representative Boris Galca enumerated other challenges faced by a family in Moldova. “Many couples prefer domestic partnership (to marriage), the young married couples limit themselves to giving birth to one child, while the birth of two children merely keeps the birth rate flat. This Festival is an opportunity to show these issues to society and contribute to solving them”, said Boris Galca. Read in Romanian: Politik, Stirea Zilei, IPN, Moldpres, Ziarul de Garda, Stiri Md, Europa Libera, Unimedia, Basa, Hot News, Timpul.md and watch in Romanian: Moldova 1, Privesc eu, Publika.MD (15 May), Publika.MD (10 May), Jurnal TV (16 May), Jurnal TV (11 May), Unimedia
MALAWI: Female Condom Craze Hits Malawi
The Sunday Times reported on 16 May on the growing popularity of the female condom, with couples increasingly taking advantage of the female condoms offered through community distribution programs. UNFPA national condom programming officer Sandra Mapemba said, “The goal of the comprehensive condom programming is to reduce the number of unprotected sexual acts and in turn reduce incidences of HIV, STIs and unwanted pregnancies and abortions.”
GLOBAL: World Bank Boosts Commitment to Lower Maternal Mortality
IPS reported on 16 May that the World Bank intends to ramp up spending on family-planning and related initiatives to reduce maternal mortality, improve reproductive health, and reduce fertility rates in nearly 60 developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, according to a new five-year plan released by the Bank. The plan noted that the Bank will work closely with several other U.N. agencies, including WHO, UNICEF, and UNFPA and bilateral donors, as well as the new Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, which includes a coalition of more than 300 NGOs, in its implementing goals. Read: IPS