ARMENIA: 2011 Census National Committee Meeting Held
Multiple media outlets reported on 21 December on the meeting of the National Committee for Organizing and Conducting 2011 Census in Armenia. The meeting, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Armen Gevorgyan, discussed the recent pilot census conducted in the town of Sevan in the Gegharkunik region and in four rural communities of the Tavush region. The census encountered challenges, including a lack of street name lists, building number signs, and inconsistencies in data from plans and actual households. The Committee also discussed the situation with funding of the 2011 Census, which includes contributions from Norway, Switzerland, Italy, India and UNFPA. Read in Russian: Miasin.ru. Read in Armenian: Mediaforum, 7or, Noyan Tapan, Panorama.am, Mardik.am, Hetq.am
URUGUAY: Contraceptives To Be Distributed By Private Health Care Services
La Republica reported on 21 December that the Ministry of Public Health announced that private health care providers will start to distribute contraceptive pills and condoms from 1 January. In case some of these services may encounter supply difficulties, the ministry committed to purchasing contraceptives for them through UNFPA. The plan is part of new regulations establishing sexual and reproductive health specialized services for all health care providers, both private and public. Read in Spanish: La República
SIERRA LEONE: TBAs Wage War Against Maternal Deaths
Awareness Times reported on 21 December that in an effort to reduce the high infant and maternal mortality in Sierra Leone, UNFPA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender and Social Welfare, has supported Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) in all 15 chiefdoms in the Bo district to embark on massive advocacy on the need for pregnant women to deliver in hospitals and the need for TBA’S to do all deliveries in hospitals, together with a trained and qualified midwife. The campaign also looked at gender based violence, HIV/AIDS, sexual and reproductive health, early initiation of girls into the Bondo society amongst others. Read: Awareness Times
RWANDA: Youth Urged To Take Part In Nation-Building
The New Times reported on 21 December that First Lady Jeannette Kagame, the founding president of the Imbuto Foundation, has urged young Rwandans to directly participate in nation-building in order for the country to achieve its targets. UNFPA Representative Victoria Akyeampong promised continued support for the promotion of youth involvement in national development programmes. Read: The New Times
NIGER: Second Global Meeting of the African Women Parliamentarians and Ministers Network in Niamey (REFAMP)
Le Sahel Quotidien reported on 21 December that a meeting was initiated by Niger's Minister of Population, Women Promotion and Child Protection. Chaired by the Prime Minister of Niger, the meeting was attended by many technical and financial partners, UNFPA and the organizations of civil society. The meeting discussed "political participation of women, challenges and prospects for the next elections in Niger." The meeting was technically and financially supported by the UNFPA Niger country office. In his speech during this meeting, UNFPA Representative Yacine Diallo noted that the present meeting comes in the context of many elections in Niger. He explained that the women’s network has a mission to ensure that women are mobilized to access elective positions and to be designated to senior positions in Niger's administration. Mr. Diallo reiterated the availability of UNFPA to accompany the network of women ministers and parliamentarians of Niger to ensure that in Niger, women voices are taking in account. The meeting was attended by Werner Haug, Director of UNFPA's Technical Division.