TURKEY: Continuing Coverage of Choice of Istanbul for UNFPA Regional Office
World Bulletin reported on 2 July that Turkey signed a host country agreement with UNFPA after Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, was chosen to host UNFPA Eastern Europe and Central Asia Regional Office. The agreement was signed in New York on 1 July by Turkey's Permanent Representative at the United Nations Ambassador Ertugrul Apakan and UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Obaid. Read: World Bulletin
TANZANIA: “Don’t Kick Her, Kick a Ball” Campaign Launched
The Daily News reported on 2 July on the launch of “Don’t Kick Her, Kick a Ball, a campaigned sponsored by the government, women’s rights advocates and UNFPA to address intimate partner violence in Tanzania. Frederike Paul, Special Assistant to the UNFPA Country Representative said, “The campaign uses footballs printed with the slogan "Don’t kick her, kick a ball" to carry the important message of non-violent relationships. In addition to advocating for the elimination of gender-based violence, the profits from the sales of the footballs will be channeled into the House of Peace.” The House of Peace assists women and children affected by violence at home. Read: The Daily News
SWAZILAND: 24 Hour Medical Care to Become Available in Matsapha Industrial Area
The Times of Swaziland reported on 2 July that UNFPA held a briefing for journalists on sexual and reproductive health issues, which included a discussion of a UNFPA study finding that the area’s factory workers, lacking access to health services, routinely dumped foetuses. "It was discovered that the dumping was done by the factory workers who did not have access to health care. There is no health centre that is servicing the area," said Phumzile Mabuza, Sexual and Reproductive Health Manager in the Ministry of Health, who announced a plan to provide 24-hour a day access to medical care in Matsapha. Read: Times of Swaziland
INDONESIA: Leaders Vow to Make Cities More Livable
The Jakarta Post reported on 2 July on the conclusion of the second World Cities Summit, noting that UNFPA has said urban populations had grown rapidly from 220 million to 2.8 billion during the course of the 20th century. Read: The Jakarta Post
GLOBAL: UNFPA Welcomes G-8 Initiative on Maternal Health
Xinhua (China) reported on 2 July that UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid welcomed the news that the governments of the world’s largest eight economies committed to the Mushoka Initiative to promote maternal, newborn and child health. "UNFPA strongly supports the Muskoka Initiative's emphasis on strengthening health systems, expanding sexual and reproductive health services, including family planning, addressing gender inequality and promoting the human rights of girls and women," Ms. Obaid said. Read: Xinhua