GLOBAL: UNFPA Marks Children’s Day
UzReport (Uzbekistan) reported on 2 June that UNFPA in Uzbekistan joined the Tashkent Law Institute and United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in observing International Children's Day to renew the UN commitment to improving the lives of children around the world. "Around the world, even in the most desperate situations, people show astonishing determination and nurture high aspirations for their children. UNFPA envisions a world in which girls and boys have optimal opportunities to develop their full potential, to freely express themselves and have their views respected, and to live free of poverty, discrimination and violence," said interim UNFPA Representative Jan Sand Sorensen.
VIET NAM: UNFPA to Assist Health Sector Development
Health and Life reported on 2 June that Deputy Minister of Health, Nguyen Thi Kim Tien, and UNFPA Representative, Bruce Campbell, hosted the second meeting of the Health Partnership Group (HPG) in 2010. At the event, Deputy Minister Tien proposed donors invest in worker training, hospital management and information technology in the health sector. On behalf of donor partners, Mr. Campbell pledged to work side by side with Viet Nam’s Ministry of Health in building the national target programme and addressing sectoral challenges. Read in Vietnamese: Health and Life.
GLOBAL: UNFPA Marks International Children’s Day
UZBEKISTAN: UzReport reported on 2 June that UNFPA in Uzbekistan joined the Tashkent Law Institute and United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in observing International Children's Day to renew the UN commitment to improving the lives of children around the world. "Around the world, even in the most desperate situations, people show astonishing determination and nurture high aspirations for their children. UNFPA envisions a world in which girls and boys have optimal opportunities to develop their full potential, to freely express themselves and have their views respected, and to live free of poverty, discrimination and violence," said interim UNFPA Representative Jan Sand Sorensen.
SWAZILAND: UNFPA National Poster Contest Starts
The Swazi Observer reported on 2 June on the National Poster Contest 2010, which is run by UNFPA and the National Population Unit under the Ministry Of Economic Planning And Development. UNFPA Communications Officer Nomahlubi Matiwane said entries to the national poster contest should depict positive images. Read: The Swazi Observer
THE PHILIPPINES: Sexuality Education Programme to Be Piloted
The Manila Bulletin reported and The Manila Standard published an editorial on 2 June that the Department of Education will integrate sex education as a subject in the basic curriculum of almost 150 schools this coming school year. International agencies, including UNFPA, have published reports that emphasize the effectiveness of sexuality education programs. However, despite the evidence, sex education remains a controversial issue in the Philippines, and the Catholic Church opposes the programme, a stance which The Manila Standard condemned in its editorial. Read: Manila Bulletin and Manila Standard
NICARAGUA: Netherlands Increases Support For Health
La Prensa reported on 2 June that the Government of The Netherlands announced that for the year 2010, it will increase its contribution to the Sector Support Program, (FONSALUD), run by the Ministry of Health of Nicaragua, to €4 million. This adds to the funding provided by UNFPA, the World Bank and several countries of the European Commission. Read in Spanish: La Prensa
MEXICO: Second Phase In Campaign Against Dating Violence Launched
El Financiero and Notimex reported on 2 June that The Mexican Institute of Youth (Imjuve), the Secretariats of Health and Public Education and UNFPA launched the second phase of the campaign “I live a free dating of violence." Read in Spanish: El Financiero
INDIA: Gender Disparities Are a Serious Concern
Hindustan Times reported on 2 June that the World Economic Forum (WEF), in a report titled the Global Gender Gap 2009, has quantified the magnitude of gender-based disparity in 134 countries. India ranks the very last on health and survival and is at the 114th position overall. UNFPA-Rajasthan programme coordinator Sunil Thomas Jacob discussed sex-selective abortion, saying that it reflects a “deep-rooted discrimination” against women and merits a concerted response from the government as well as the civil society.
GUYANA: Workshop on Family Planning, Development and Rights
GINA reported on 2 June that the importance of sexual reproductive health was underscored at the opening session of a three-day workshop which focuses on repositioning family planning as a development and rights issue in Guyana.The workshop is a collaborative effort among the Ministry of Health, UNFPA and PAHO/WHO. Read: GINA
GUYANA: Workshop Held on Family Planning, Development and Rights
GINA reported on 2 June that the importance of sexual reproductive health was underscored at the opening session of a three-day workshop which focuses on repositioning family planning as a development and rights issue in Guyana.The workshop is a collaborative effort among the Ministry of Health, UNFPA and PAHO/WHO. Read: GINA
GHANA: Violence Against Women Remains Common
GNA reported on 2 June that Chief Superintendent of Police, Elizabeth Dassah, National Coordinator of the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU), expressed concern about the high level of violence still perpetuated against women and children despite interventions to curb it. She expressed her appreciation to UNFPA for sponsoring the workshop."We thank the UNFPA Ghana for all its assistance to us including the provision of office equipment, vehicles, field trips and the renovation of our office accommodation," added Ms. Dassah. Read: GNA