SYRIA: UNFPA-Sponsored Studies Released
Multiple media outlets reported on 25 November to 7 December on two national studies launched with UNFPA support. The first is the quantitative survey followed by a qualitative study on domestic violence, launched by the Syrian Commission for Family Affairs with UNFPA’s support. The second report, the “Comprehensive Assessment of the Capacity and Needs of the Juveniles Social Care Institutions/Centres in Syria,” was launched and disseminated by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs with the support of UNFPA as a joint project between Gender and Youth components. Read: Day Press, Read in Arabic: Sana, Syrian Days
ZIMBABWE: Maternal Deaths – A Bane To The Nation
Sunday News reported on 7 December on maternal mortality in Zimbabwe. UNFPA, in partnership with the University of Zimbabwe and other UN agencies compiled a comprehensive report of deaths resulting from pregnancy or childbirth, which revealed that 725 Zimbabwean women out of every 100,000 who deliver, die due to complications. Read: Sunday News
UZBEKISTAN: Young Activists Gather to Share Experiences and Plan Future Activities
Central Asia Newswire and UzReport reported on 7 December that the annual Y-PEER (Youth Peer Education Network) meeting, convened on 25-27 November at a beautiful mountain area of Tashkent region, gathered more than 50 young activists from all regions of Uzbekistan. It was aimed at giving the network members an opportunity for sharing information, reporting and planning, as well as equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed for their volunteer activities. Y-PEER is supported by UNFPA and kicked off in Uzbekistan in 2005. It now brings together more than 350 volunteers nationwide. Working with youth and for youth, the network aims to promote a healthy life style through peer to peer approach and to empower young people to make responsible decisions. Read: Central Asia Newswire
SYRIA: Workshop on Early Marriage
DayPress reported on 7 December that the People's Assembly, in cooperation with UNFPA, held a workshop on early marriage and its effects on family and society. UNFPA Assistant Representative Omar Ballan said that the Fund supports Syria in all the activities concerning empowering woman and providing the appropriate services in the field of reproductive health. Read: DayPress
SUDAN: Partners Hand over Juba College of Nursing and Midwifery to the Ministry of Health
Radio Miraya and government radio reported on 7 December on the handover ceremony of Juba College of Nursing and Midwifery by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to the Ministry of Health of the Government of Southern Sudan. The event was officiated on 6 December by Dr. Olivia Lomoro, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health, who emphasized the serious shortage of well-qualified nurses and midwives in Southern Sudan. She thanked the development partners who are supporting the new college. Kondwani Mwangulube, UNFPA Programme Specialist and Officer in-Charge of the Southern Sudan UNFPA Sub-Office, underlined the assistance of UNFPA to the Ministry of Health and the college. “UNFPA in its capacity will continue to provide direct funding to the college, technical support in the form of man power to help build the capacity of the national staff” said Mr. Mwangulube. He added that UNFPA also intended to make Juba College of Nursing and Midwifery not only the first ever to offer Diploma to its students, but also the state of the art school by providing equipment, books and all teaching materials to boost what have already been provided by other partners. Several partners have come together to support the Ministry of Health-Government of Southern Sudan to establish the college. JICA provided funds to construct class rooms, administrative offices, library, conference room, etc.
PARAGUAY: Plan Submitted To Strengthen Health Care For Children And Adolescents
PPN.com, Neike and Viva Paraguay reported on 7 December that The Ministry of Health presented its national plans for promoting health and improving quality of life of children and adolescents. The doctor also noted the participation of various institutions like PAHO, UNFPA the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Children and Adolescents and the Secretariat for Women. Read in Spanish: PPN, Neike, Viva Paraguay
PAKISTAN: International Youth Conference Held
The Associated Press of Pakistan, Daily News and The Express Tribune reported on 5-7 December that addressing the five-day International Youth Conference and Festival, titled “Building Bridges across the World,” Deputy Education Advisor, Muhammad Salim said that the provision of free and compulsory education to children between 5-16 years has become the responsibility of the state after passage of 18th amendment. Addressing the session “Social Investment in Harnessing the Youth Potential in Pakistan,” Saadia Atta Mehmood of UNFPA highlighted the key areas of its Global Framework for Youth. She said that UNFPA supports policy development, providing education on sexual and reproductive health by engaging young people in Pakistan. She said that UNFPA is executing numerous activities across the country including Youth Friendly Programmes, Capacity Building of Youth and Policy Advocacy. Read: Associated Press of Pakistan, Daily Times and Express Tribune
GLOBAL: HIV/AIDS – Looking Forward to an AIDS-Free Generation
IRIN reported on 7 December that attaining virtual elimination - meaning fewer than 5 per cent of babies born to HIV-positive mothers contract the virus - will not require new scientific breakthroughs, according to Jimmy Kolker, HIV/AIDS chief of UNICEF. Innovative financing and outreach are needed to enable people, especially women, youth and infants, to take advantage of available HIV prevention and treatment therapy. "The biggest problem we are going to face is availability of resources," said George Tembo, HIV/AIDS chief of UNFPA. "There's a huge shortfall and we are thinking about innovative ways of financing. In as much as it is important to have donors put in more money, increasingly national governments will need to put more and more of their resources into HIV for prevention and treatment." Read: IRIN
MOZAMBIQUE: “It’s Critical To Involve Men In The Promotion Of Reproductive Health And Gender Equality”
Notícia, RTP and Miramar (record Moçambique) reported on 7 December that delegates from five Portuguese speaking countries (Angola, Brazil, Guinéa Bissau, São Tomé & Principe and Mozambique) met in Maputo to discuss strategies to involve men in the promotion of sexual and reproductive health and to fight violence against women. UNFPA Representative Patricia Guzman said that it’s critical to involve men in the efforts aimed at attaining gender equality and to effectively implement sexual and reproductive programmes. Ms. Guzman mentioned that, in Mozambique, there are already some examples of men’s involvement in sexual and reproductive health and in the fight against violence, such as “homens em transformação,” a project led by a group of men who mobilize others to promote gender equality. Another initiative mentioned by Guzman to the press is “Inclusão,” in which inmates are trained as activists and educate others on matters related to HIV and violence.