GLOBAL: COVERAGE ON SECOND WOMEN DELIVER CONFERENCE

CAMBODIA: DAP reported on 5 June that, according to a statement by UNFPA in Cambodia $15 billion is lost to maternal and child deaths every year, however, these deaths can be prevented if the lost money is invested in socio-economic development, building schools and roads for the better access to reproductive health information and services, promotion of sanitation, nutrition and job opportunities for young people, UNFPA Representative Alice Levisay said that midwives play a crucial role in reducing maternal death. The statements were made as leaders around the world prepared to review and reinforce commitments towards promotion maternal health at the Women Deliver conference. Read in Cambodian: DAP

CAMBODIA: Rasmei Kampuchea reported on 3 June and The People’s Daily reported on 2 June on a statement by UNFPA addressing the the challenges of pregnancy and childbirth threaten women's lives every single day. It said, "Though in Cambodia we have seen a two-fold increase in births attended by skilled health personnel in a decade -- progress we can all be proud of -- five women still die giving life every day, and many still lack access to essential reproductive and maternal health services."  The appeal titled "Delivering a better future for women and girls" was made just a few days ahead of the leaders from around the world to meet at the Women Deliver Conference. Read: The People’s Daily

CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE): Congo-site reported on 4 June on the upcoming second Women Deliver conference to be held from 7-9 June 2010, in Washington DC . Read in French: Congo-Site

LIBERIA: Liberian Observer (Liberia) reported on the upcoming Women Deliver conference. The article stated, “Women Deliver representatives will call on governments, multilateral organizations, and donors to redouble their commitments and translate the talk about maternal health into action. We must harness the momentum around this conference and take action here. Now is the time to recognize the critical roles women play in our country's future, roles they can fulfill if and only if they can lead healthy lives. We know how to save the lives of women and girls in our country. Now is the time to do it.” Read: Liberian Observer

MOZAMBIQUE: Weekly Domingo, Daily Notícias, Rádio Moçambique, STV and TVM reported, on 6 June that the Minister of Health, Dr. Ivo Garrido, will represent Mozambique at the Women Deliver conference. The conference will discuss ways to promote investment in women, empower girls and reduce maternal deaths and disabilities. UNFPA Representative in Mozambique, Patricia Guzman, will also participate.

UNITED STATES: The Huffington Post published a blog by Anika Rahman, President of Americans for UNFPA, focusing on obstetric fistula, a condition which is virtually unknown in the United States, but common in many parts of the world. She wrote, “thanks to initiatives like the Global Campaign to End Fistula, led by UNFPA, obstetric fistula is being addressed in 47 countries around the world. With the support of many partner organizations the Campaign promotes a comprehensive strategy to ending fistula based on a three pronged approach: prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.” Ms. Rahman noted that the Women Deliver conference presents an opportunity for advancing progress toward eradicating fistula. She argued, “With the spotlight shining bright on the issues of women's health, I hope you will join us at Americans for UNFPA to step up to the plate and tell Congress to support "The Obstetric Fistula Prevention, Treatment, Hope and Dignity Restoration Act of 2010." Read: Huffington Post

UZBEKISTAN: UZReport (Uzbekistan) reported on 2 June that ministers, parliamentarians, experts, first ladies, royalty, celebrities, midwives, young leaders and civil society representatives from 140 countries will be meeting in Washington, DC, 7-9 June for the largest ever conference on maternal and reproductive health. More than 3,400 people will join the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, the Executive Director of UNFPA, Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, and other global leaders at the Women Deliver Conference to promote investment in women and share solutions that can empower girls and reduce maternal deaths and disabilities. "Investing in women is not only the right thing to do; it is smart economics. No woman should die giving life, and to achieve this we need to focus on reproductive health and the human rights of girls and women," says Ms. Obaid, who will speak at the opening of the conference.