PARAGUAY: Women’s Group Receives Sewing Machines
ABC reported on 23 December that sewing equipment were delivered to the United Women's Association of Sur Bañador, for the workshop “United Apparel,” which is being supported by “Joint Opportunities for Youth: Capabilities and economic opportunities for social inclusion.” The workshop is developing the capacity for income generation and employment of young poor, vulnerable and especially the empowerment of women. “Joint Opportunities for Youth” is supported by a national government initiative, with the Ministry of Justice and Labour, the Technical Secretariat of Planning, the Ministry of Women and the Vice Ministry of Youth, in conjunction with the United Nations system, including, UNFPA. Read in Spanish: ABC
NIGERIA: Youth Volunteerism – New Vista For Leadership In Africa
The Guardian (Nigeria) reported on 23 December on the recent launch of the African Union Youth Volunteers’ Corps, an initiative by the African Union Commission and others to support youth leadership in the country. The launch was attended by numerous supporters, including representatives from UNFPA. Read: The Guardian
ETHIOPIA: Five-Year Plan to Halve New HIV Infections
IRIN reported on 23 December that Ethiopia's Government has come up with an ambitious plan to halve new HIV infections, quadruple its annual condom distribution and put 85 per cent of people who need life-prolonging HIV medication on treatment within five years. While the country's progress is impressive, analysts say there is still much to be done. A recent survey by UNFPA and the Population Council found that stigma and ignorance were still common among young people. "A considerable per centage of young people had never heard of condoms or had no exposure to them," the study found. "One third of young people [aged 12-24] felt that moral people do not use condoms; 48 per cent of young people felt that condoms should not be used within marriage; and roughly half felt that condoms are used by promiscuous people." The authors recommended increased attention to marital transmission of HIV/AIDS and the use of condoms within marriage. Read: IRIN
SYRIA: National Social Aid Fund Established
Syria-News.com reported on 23 December that the Cabinet approved a draft law on establishing the National Social Aid Fund. The project was launched jointly by UNDP, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour and UNFPA in 2007 based on the available statistics in 2004's “Income and Expenditure Survey.” It is still being implemented. Read: Syria-News.com