YEMEN: Training Workshop on Integrating Gender Concepts in Higher Education.
Multiple media outlets reported on 20-22 July on remarks by Rector of Aden University, Prof. Abdulrazez Bin Habtoor, at the opening session of a recent training workshop on Publicizing & Integrating Gender Concepts in the University Educational Curriculums. He pointed out that integrating these concepts in Yemeni schools and universities’ curriculums is one of the basic conditions for changing misconceptions formed in the family, neighborhood, community, society, village, and street culture. Fifty participants from Aden University staff and activists in the field of gender and woman’ rights participated in the workshop that will last two days and organized by the Women Research & Training Center, Aden University in cooperation with UNFPA. Read in Arabic: Aden University, 14 October, Nabanews, and 14 October
VIETNAM: Young Workforce Poses Challenges
Multiple media outlets reported on 21-22 July that Viet Nam’s population is entering a period of “demographic bonus,” in which the number of people of working age is larger than that of the dependents. National census data, which was officially released on 21 July, indicated that by 2009, the number of youths aged under 15 had fallen to under 30 per cent, while the proportion of the population aged 65 and over was still under 15 per cent. “This demographic bonus could pose employment and social security challenges in the future unless the young emerging workforce is provided with education, training and job opportunities now, which in turn will ensure the improved well-being of the whole population in the future,” said Tran Thi Van, Assistant Representative of UNFPA in Viet Nam. Population growth had continued to decline. “These figures confirm that the country’s fertility rates have been decreasing in recent years. It will help lift population growth pressure on socio-economic development and reduce the associated strains on the country’s political and social security systems. It will also contribute to providing society, especially women and young girls, with more convenient and effective healthcare, education, employment and other social protection services,” said Van. Read in English: Viet Nam News and VOV and in Vietnamese: Giao Duc va Thoi Dai, Gia Dinh va Xa Hoi, Viet Nam News Agency, Gia dinh va Xa hoi, Dang Cong San VN online, Tap chi Cong San, Dai Doan Ket, and Viet Nam Government Portal
SENEGAL: Senegal Launches CARMMA
Le Soleil reported on 21-22 July on the Senegal launch of the Campaign on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa (CARMMA). The Senegalese Prime Minister renewed the government’s commitment to intensify investments in programmes for the reduction of maternal mortality and to support the presidential initiative “Bajenu Gox,” a community programme to promote maternal health by women leaders in their neighborhood. Read in French: Le Soleil and Le Soleil
GHANA: Inadequate Funding Worsens Infant, Maternal Mortality in Ghana
Xinhua (China) reported on 22 July that the lack of funding in the health sector and the inadequate basic health facilities have over the last decade posed a great threat to the already unacceptably high maternal mortality rate estimated at 451 deaths per 100,000 live births in Ghana. UNFPA Midwifery Advisor Fredrica Enyonam Hanson had indicated that maternal mortality was a recurring challenge affecting the pace of development in Ghana. Records of UNFPA had also contended that in spite of all efforts, low coverage of skilled attendance at birth in Ghana remains a major contributor. The inadequacies in skilled attendance at birth are further evidenced by the high neo-natal mortality of 45 deaths per 1,000 live births contributing almost 60 per cent of infant deaths in Ghana. Citing maternal mortality as the greatest health inequity in the world, UNFPA said the tragedies of maternal mortality were indicative of the value placed on women and children's lives and also a reflection of the level of development in the country. Read: Xinhua
GEORGIA: Journalists Say “No” to Gender-Based Violence
The Messenger reported on 22 July on a roundtable on institutionalizing gender-sensitive reporting within the media was held on the joint initiative of the Inter-Agency Council on Domestic Violence and UNFPA at the hotel Courtyard Marriott Tbilisi on July 21. Leading media experts, members of the Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) Board of Trustees and the National Communications Commission, representatives of the TV and radio channels, journalists and editors and representatives of NGOs and civil society were invited to participate. Read: The Messenger
ARGENTINA: Debate Over Legalizing Abortion Intensifies in Argentina
BBC (UK) reported on 22 July that "We demand a debate on abortion in society and a vote in Congress," she said. After the recent vote by the Argentine Congress to legalize same-sex marriage, the legalization of abortion does indeed seem set to be the next big debate in the country. Calls in favor of legalization have been fuelled in part by international criticism of the country's high maternal mortality rates. A recent study by UNFPA, found that over the past 15 years complications from abortion were the main cause of maternal deaths in Argentina. Read: BBC