VIET NAM: Sex Ratio at Birth, A Rapidly Changing Phenomenon With Significant Social, Cultural And Economic Implications
Multiple media outlets reported on 26 and 27 October that the ratio of boys to girls in Viet Nam has increased rapidly over the past years and is well above the standard biological level. According to the report “Sex ratio at birth imbalances in Viet Nam: Evidence from the 2009 Census”, published by UNFPA, the current sex ratio at birth is 110.5 males per 100 females, exceeding the standard 105. While the ratio is at normal level in the Central Highlands (105.6), other regions exhibit higher SRB levels, even above 115. “SRB is complex not only geographically but also socio-economically,” said Bruce Campbell, UNFPA Representative, while explaining that different factors such as maternal characteristics, ethnicity, education and employment and even the quality of housing can be correlated with significant differences in SRB levels. Read: Viet Nam News, BBC, AFP, Communist Party Online, Read in Vietnamese: Family and Society, Youth, BBC, VTV, VN Express, VN Media, VOV, Labour, Peoples' Police, Viet Nam Net, People's Knowledge, Young Pioneer; Read in Spanish: EFE; and Read in Swedish: DN, Dagens Nyheter, TV4 Nyheterna, Metro and Expressen
UZBEKISTAN: Media Tour To Perinatal Centre Showcases Effective Cooperation
UzReport reported on 27 October that a series of events marked the United Nations' 65th anniversary on 26 October continued with a media tour for journalists the Republican Perinatal Center. The tour was organized by the United Nations Office in Tashkent in partnership with Uzbekistan's Ministry of Healthcare in order to showcase the effective and efficient cooperation between the UN system and Uzbekistan. UN Resident Coordinator Anita Nirody headed the tour together with Deputy Health Minister Isomiddin Komilov, both of whom opened the media briefing. They were followed by Representative of WHO in Uzbekistan Dr. Michel Tailhades, representatives of UNICEF and UNFPA Oyunsaihan Dendevnorov and Fuad Aliev, respectively. Dr. Adelina Lyubchich, Director of the Republican Perinatal Center, gave a presentation on the Center's activities
SOUTH ASIA: UNFPA Statement On “Honour” Killing Reported
Dagens Nyheter (Sweden) on 27 October referred to UNFPA in an article on “honour” killings, stating that, according to UNFPA, approximately 5,000 women around the world are murdered every year in the name of honour. Most such killings take place in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. The article further described how a crisis hot line in India has been made available for couples who, through their love for each other, are facing reprisals from their own families. By calling the hot line, the couple can quickly be relocated to a safe house location with a secret address. Read in Swedish: Dagens Nyheter
PAKISTAN: PPI and Norwegian Government Holds Seminar on Child Health Programme
Plus News and Dawn reported on 27 October that the Pakistan Partnership Initiatives, the Norwegian Government and UNFPA jointly organized a seminar on child health. On the occasion, Dr. Ghulam Shabir Chandio, National Programme Manager of UNFPA, highlighted the successful deployment of community midwives in three districts of Pakistan. Sindh Law Minister Muhammad Ayaz Soomro, meanwhile, congratulated the midwives who had completed the 18-month training and hoped that they will serve the women in their respective areas. Read: DAWN
MADAGASCAR: Family Planning Findings Released
Midi Madagaskaria reported on 27 October that a study on the evolution of Family Planning policy in Madagascar was conducted by Marie Stopes Madagascar and UNFPA with the technical support of Futures Groups. This study was carried out in 16 private family planning institutions and revealed the importance of the private sectors’ support in contraceptive product and commodity marketing.
MADAGASCAR: Mother and Child Health Week
L’Express reported on 27 October that twice a year (in April and in October), the Ministry of Health organizes the “Mother and child health week” in all health centers in the country. UNFPA contributes to this activity alongside UNICEF and WHO. With respect to the reduction of maternal mortality, UNFPA focuses its action in offering free contraceptive products, free individual delivery kits and free consumables for cesarean surgery.
LEBANON: Workshop Held on Residential and Outpatient Care for Elderly
Al Akhbar, An-Nahar, Al Anwar, Al Markazia and Lebanon Files reported on 27 October on the workshop, “Developing Standards for Residential and Outpatient Care Institutions for Older People in Lebanon.” The workshop was the product of coordinated efforts between the Family Affairs Unit and the National Permanent Committee for Elderly Affairs at the Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA), and the Population and Development (P&D) Project. Organized by the Ministry of Social Affairs and UNFPA, the workshop featured speeches by H.E Dr. Sayegh, Minister of Social Affairs and Ms. Martine Najem Kteily, P&D project manager representing the UNFPA Representative. The working groups recommended a set of standards for the different kinds of institutions (residential, outpatient, dispensaries, restaurants and homecare services) providing services for the elderly in Lebanon. The recommended standards were of utmost significance since they did not only reflect the international standards but also attended to the specific local needs of these institutions and the cultural context of Lebanon. These standards will be revised and finalized by a group of national experts before they are adopted by MOSA. Read in Arabic: Al Akhbar, An-Nahar, Al Anwar, Al Markazia and Lebanon Files
GHANA: Women’s Empowerment Needed for Sustainable Development
GNA reported on 27 October that Sulley Abudu Zakaria Lord, West Mamprusi District Chief Executive, has said females have suffered the consequences of several gender policies. These have affected their progress, he said, and called for those policies to be reviewed to ensure sustainable national development. Mr. Zakaria was speaking at a community forum on reproductive health and domestic violence at Janga in the West Mamprusi District, organized by the Department of Women and Children's Affairs. He suggested rigorous education that would empower women to utilize economic opportunities so they could create wealth and improve their livelihoods to close the gender disparity gap. UNFPA sponsored the forum under the theme: "Respect Women's Reproductive Health; Stop Gender Based Violence." Read: GNA
ARGENTINA: The Care Economy and Migration
Artemisa Noticias reported on 27 October that a group of experts met in Argentina to share the results of research under a report, “The Political and Social Economy about Care” based on data being developed by UNFPA, UNICEF and the Social Development Institute. The experts participated in the seminar “Care Policies Gender, and Welfare” that included one board of discussion about Migration, Cares and Gender. Shahra Razavi, Specialist in Gender Dimensions of Social Development (UNRISD), Line Bareiro, CEDAW expert from Paraguay, Rosalba Todaro from Chile, and Fernanda Wanderley from Bolivia were among the specialist there to talk about about the issues in childhood care policies and migration. Read in Spanish: Artemisa Noticias