ARMENIA: National Birth Rate Increases
ArmenPress reported on 15 July that the Armenian Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and UNFPA carried out an all-republican survey on “Reproductive Behavior of the Armenian Population.” Vanik Babajanyan, head of the Labor and Social Affairs Ministry’s department on demography, made a report and mentioned that the survey reveals the factors, connected with the condition of the family. 2800 families - over 4.2 million members- were studied. Read: ArmenPress
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Experts from CEPAL, UNFPA and ONE Discuss Census
Diario Libre reported on 15 July that experts of the Conference of the Americas of CEPAL, UNFPA and National Statistics Office (ONE) in the country discussed the challenges and needs facing national census efforts. Read in Spanish: Diario Libre
NAMIBIA: Human Development Impossible Without Gender Equality
Bernama reported on 15 July that Namibia acknowledges that until gender inequality and discrimination are eliminated, human development will remain a distant dream, UNFPA Country Representative Fabian Byomuhangi said recently. According to Namibia Press Agency Byomuhangi told Members of Parliament at a Parliamentary Information session on gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health and HIV/AIDS, that Namibia's legal framework, which is geared to protecting women and children from violence, including rape, is most commendable. Read: Bernama
PAKISTAN: Ministry of Youth Affairs Prepares Training Programme for Imprisoned Youth
APP reported on 15 July that the Ministry of Youth Affairs is planning to initiate special skill training package for youth in jails so that they can lead respectable lives when they come out. “These initiatives will be launched in partnership with organizations such as RSPN, the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund, UNFPA and the British Council,” said an official with the Ministry of Youth Affairs. Read: APP
RWANDA: UNFPA Donates Ambulances, ICT Equipment
The New Times reported on 15 July that UNFPA donated three ambulances worth $161,799 (Rwf 94m) to the Ministry of Health (MoH). Bonaventure Nzeyimana, an MoH official, received the donation on behalf of the ministry. According to Cheikh Fall the Deputy Representative of UNFPA, the support falls in a series of activities organized to mark the World Population Week which started on July 11. “These ambulances will boost Rwanda’s efforts in reducing maternal and infant mortality and as well as morbidity,” he said during a function at the ministry headquarters. He added that ambulances would strengthen referral system which will contribute to improving access to emergency obstetric and neonatal services at the health facilities. In a related development, UNFPA also donated a batch of ICT equipment comprising of 30 computers, 30 printers and 30 uninterrupted power supply to the ministry, which are valued at $45,000. Read: The New Times
GUINEA-BISSAU: CARMMA Campaign Launched in Guinea-Bissau
Nô Pintcha reported on 15 July on the launch of campaign for accelerated reduction of maternal mortality in Africa (CARMMA) in Guinea-Bissau. The campaign is spearheaded by the Ministry of Health in partnership with UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO, PLAN and other partners. The campaign will end on 31 December. Read in Portuguese: Nô Pintcha
CAMEROON: UNFPA Presents “Women and the World Cup” Awards
Cameroon Tribune reported on 15 July and Mutations reported on the 9 July that UNFPA celebrated the winners of the competition launched by the site Goducamer. The competition aimed to promote artistic talent for the development of women and young girls through art. The competition was open to young women under the age of 25 producing works in the categories of photography, painting, drawing, sculpture and poetry. Alain Sibenaler UNFPA representative said that the first edition was inspired by the unfolding of the World Cup in Africa.