OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY: GBV Campaign in Jericho
Al-Ayyam reported on 11 December about the festival on GBV as part of the 16-day campaign to combat violence against women, which was organized on 10 December by MIFTAH in Jericho and funded by UNFPA. Attendees included womens’ organizations, journalists, and senior officials. Read in Arabic: Al-Ayyam
MALAWI: The faces of fistula
The Nation on 11 December reported that UNFPA in Malawi conducted a fistula camp at Thyolo hospital. According to UNFPA, every minute, one woman dies and another 20 suffer from a devastating disability, including obstetric fistula. Fistula is prevalent where maternal death is highest, especially where emergency obstetric care, referral systems and infrastructure are poor.
UNFPA Malawi Reproductive Health Officer Grace Hiwa said 53 women had their fistulas repaired during the camp held in Thyolo. In 2011, 107 women were repaired in Malawi with the assistance of UNFPA. Hiwa said UNFPA also funds a project at Nkhoma Hospital in Lilongwe where women are constantly repaired.
According to the UNFPA, research findings show that obstetric fistula is excessively high where women lack education, economic autonomy, decision-making power and access to appropriate reproductive health services, including emergency obstetric care. Furthermore, maternal health is closely linked to social context and cultural norms and behaviours. Read in English: The Nation
URUGUAY: Census data will be used georeferentially
The TV programme “La sed y el agua” of Canal 5 TV aired on 11 December an interview with UNFPA Representative Fernando Filgueira on how Census’ data could be used to understand demographic trends in the country. For instance, last year for the first time in the last decade, the migration rate turned out to be positive. New technologies used in this Census are allowing to have data almost in real time. Most importantly, the data gathered by Census could be used georeferentially allowing a substantial improvement of policies at the different governmental levels (national, departmental and regional).
TANZANIA: Tanzania to have more children 50 years to come!
Mtanzania reported on 10 December a feature article that talks about and compares birthrate and population growth in the country as the nation turns 50 years. “There is an urgent need for Tanzania to control the birthrate in order to control the population growth. When Tanzania gained its independence, the population was nine million with only 6 per cent of people living in urban areas; this year the population is 44 million and a much higher birthrate. According to UNFPA, if this growth is not curbed in the next 14 years, Tanzania is projected to have a population of 65 million people.
LEBANON: UNFPA’s Statistics, Analysis and Campaign on HIV/AIDS in the MENA Region
Multiple media outlets reported on 9 December on the rise of HIV/AIDS in the MENA countries. The article provides statistics on HIV/AIDS prevalence and trends in the region. Entitled “Secretive Arab world faces HIV epidemic: experts say”, the article focuses on the cultural taboos surrounding the virus and how it hinders an efficient tackling by governments and societies. The article quotes UNFPA’s Arab States Regional Technical Advisor on HIV/AIDS and mentions the UNFPA-supported Let’s Talk Campaign implemented in Lebanon as an example of action. The article was originally authored by AFP in Beirut in French and then relayed in numerous (more than 50) outlets, in more than 5 languages. Read in English: AFP. Read in French: News of Tunisia. Read in Arabic: Al Arab Net. Read in Portuguese: Folha. Read in Czech: ZDN. Read in Slovak: Spravy Pravda.
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY: GBV Workshop by Ministry of Health
AL-QUDS Newspaper reported on 9 December on the 2-day GBV workshop organized in Nablus by Women’s Health Development Directorate/Ministry of Health (WHDD/MoH) and targeted employees from the different directorates from the MoH. The workshop emphasized on what is GBV and the different forms of violence, their affect and the role of health providers in combating GBV. Read in Arabic: Al-Quds
COMOROS: Celebrations for International Day for Gender-Based Violence
La Gazette and Al Watwan on 9 December reported on celebrations for the International Day for Gender-Based Violence. The UNFPA representative gave an address stressing that gender-based violence is a reality in Comoros and that sanctions for this type of violence are underapplied. A study conducted in 2006, with support from UNFPA, showed that 70% of the women interviewed were subject to violence including conjugal violence.
ETHIOPIA: Condomize Campaign Discusses Female Condoms
Walta Information Center (WIC) on 9 December reported that participants of the 16th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) shared experiences on the significance of female condoms in protecting themselves from HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
According to a press release, The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) sent to WIC, the discussion and experience sharing on the use of female condoms that took place among ICASA participants who attended UNFPA’s Condomize Campaign.
Women from different countries indicated that they felt uncomfortable when they used it for the first time, but came familiar with it after frequently using it, according to the press release. Read in English: Walta Information Center
UGANDA: Uganda loses sh275b annually in pregnancy related complications
New Vision reported on 8 December that Uganda is losing about $112m (sh275b) every year in health care costs for not adequately investing in family planning, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has warned. UNFPA Assistant Representative Dr. Wilfred Ochan said the costs of unplanned pregnancies and complications related to unsafe abortions were greatly affecting investment in the country’s development. He was presenting a paper on the ‘costs and benefits of family planning’ at the national conference on population and development at Speke Resort Hotel in Kampala on Thursday. Read in English: New Vision
LEBANON: A Best Practice Documentation on integrating SRH in School Curricula
Multiple media outlets reported on 8 December on the launch of the “Gender-Sensitive Life Skills Reproductive Health Curriculum Development, A Best Practice Documentation”. The guide documents UNFPA’s successful collaboration with the Educational Center for Research and Development (ECRD) and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE) which resulted in the development and issuance of the long awaited “Gender-sensitive Life Skills Reproductive Health (RH) Education” curriculum in a ministerial communiqué number 18/م/ 2009 (August 26, 2009). The Best Practice Documentation provides tips on the successful participative and culturally-sensitive approach adopted throughout the process. The integration of the curricula in currently underway and it will develop students’ skills and knowledge on a range of topics in reproductive health. Read in Arabic: National News Agency, As Safir, Lebanon Files and Ministry of Education and Higher Education portal.
CAMBODIA: Reclusive star back for MTV
The Phnom Penh Post reported on 8 December that Chea Samnang has become a Good Will Ambassador for the MTV Exit Campaign “To prevent and Stop Human Trafficking”. The public concert is scheduled on 17 December of which top singers from Cambodia, Korea and US will be performing. Chea Samnang was a bit quiet for last few years in filming until 2010 he has been so much active and involved in social movement. For instance, in 2010 his advocacy activities as a Good Will Ambassador for UNFPA were remarkable along with exciting news about marriage plan. Read in Khmer (Cambodian): Phnom Penh Post. Read in English: Phnom Penh Post
JORDAN: Princess Basma Participates in UNFPA High Level Coordination Meeting
Multiple media outlets reported on 7 December that UNFPA Jordan Goodwill Ambassador HRH Princess Basma took part on Tuesday in UNPFA’s high level coordination meeting, where she stressed the need to evaluate achievements and challenges to realize the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).
The Princess called on NGOs and international organizations to think of innovative ways to deal with youth, who are currently leading campaigns for political and cultural change. Princess Basma also pointed out that the participation of Jordanian women in the labor market is still below expectations, calling for more efforts to address this issue.
HRH thanked UNFPA for all the enormous work the organization is implementing, and said that is an honor for HRH to be UNFPA’s Goodwill Ambassador in Jordan.
The Princess talked also about the 7 Billion campaign and its great messages, which ended on 31 October, saying that “There is no doubt in our minds, us the converted so to speak, of the importance of the seven messages that you have all been promoting: reducing poverty, unleashing the power of girls, focusing on the youth, ensuring every child is wanted and every pregnancy is safe, caring for our planet, and for our aging population in a growingly urbanized planet. But we must challenge ourselves to reach the others who don’t see this as clearly as you all do, and this is not an easy task, especially with the looming effects of the global financial crisis.” Read in Arabic: Al Rai, Alghad, Ad-Dustour. Read in English: Jordan Times. Watch in Arabic: UNFPA Jordan
NIGER: Launch of the report on the State of world population, 2011
The Newsletter Le Sahel reported on 7 December that the Minister of Population, the promotion of women and child protection, Dr. Maikibi Dandobi Khadidiatou launched the 2011 State of the world Population report on 6 December 2011, in the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In her intervention on this occasion, the Minister of the Population indicated that the report provides an overview of the different demographic challenges countries are facing at a time where population growth is overriding the economic growth in certain regions of the world, especially in developing countries.
In a speech on this occasion, the UNFPA Representative, Dr. Edwige Adekambi Domingo noted that the report examines the trends and dynamics that define our world of 7 billion people.
If need to celebrate considerable progress made by humanity, the report focuses on the major challenges that deserves our attention, including the safeguarding of the environment, respect for the human rights of each individual and its fundamental freedoms, including equality between men and women added Dr. Adekambi.
The launch of the report took place with the participation of the members of the Government, ambassadors, United Nations representatives, traditional and religious leaders, representatives of civil society and many other guests.
BURKINA FASO: Round Table of Reproductive Health partners
L’Observer Paalga on 7 December reported on the Round Table of Reproductive Health partners. This annual meeting was organized by the Minister of Health. The partners of this Minister are: the technical and financial partners, the civil society, the associations and the NGO (the Non Governmental Organization) and UNFPA/Burkina. UNFPA Representative Dr Sankara Olga during his interview declared that: "we worked with the government and the associations. Today it is question to share the experiences, to allow the other participants to learn more from reproductive health and, to show our level… And the strategies to be developed to reach our objectives. "
TANZANIA: Makinda pushes for curbs on population growth
DailyNews reported on 7 December that the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Anne Makinda who was the guest of honour during the launch of three UN Global reports and Adolescent in Tanzania report, said, Tanzania needs to control the current population growth rate which hampers the fight against poverty and exerts pressure on existing resources. Hon. Makind further said, the SWOP 2011 report has come at an opportune moment as Tanzania prepares to conduct a population and housing census scheduled for August next year. At the same time, UNFPA Deputy Representative, Mariam Khan, said the population question was one of equity, opportunity and social justice. “Questions of equitable access to resources and opportunities are the questions society continuously confronts especially from the young, she further stressed that in today’s interconnected world, individual decisions and actions especially about the number of children individuals and couples should have will determine whether the earth’s population rises to 10 or 15 billion by end of century. Read in English: DailyNews
TOGO: Family Planning Providers in a capacity-building workshop
Santé Education, the 1st Health Weekly newspaper in West Africa, reported on 7 December, about the Family Planning Providers capacity-building workshop being held in Lomé from 5th to 16th December 2011. Financed by UNFPA Togo, this training falls within the scope of capacity-building for the training of trainers and Family Planning (service) providers in contraceptive technology. During the 10-day training, the participants who are essentially nurses, midwives, and medical assistants coming from all over the nation, are trained in family planning related issues. The training will be focused on theory, demonstrations, and practical aspects in this field. This training will permit the acquisition of more skills for trainers, through practical exercises and field coaching. Read in French: SANTE-EDUCATION N°145 du 07 décembre 2011
URUGUAY: Students winners of the quiz 7 billion
Océano FM reported on 7 December that Plan Ceibal and UNFPA were to announced the winners of a seven-week quiz to promote knowledge on population issues organized in the context of the 7 billion actions campaign. The initiative took place until the end of October and was targeted to children and young people from 10 to 15 years old. Winners from all the country were interviewed in the program “No Toquen Nada” (Uruguay’s largest audience radio show). They also visited the National Institute of Statistics and Plan Ceibal, where they received their diplomas. Ceibal reaches all students of primary public schools in Uruguay since every student receives from Plan Ceibal a laptop for pedagogic purposes.
BELARUS: UNFPA Sends Aide to Census
Belta reported on 7 December that UNFPA Belarus has sent to the preparation and conduct of the census in Belarus over $900 thousand. At the international conference "The results of census of Republic of Belarus in 2009: the spread and use of data" Tatyana Gaplichnik, UNFPA Programme Coordinator in Belarus, mentioned that this is the most ambitious project in the history of collaboration and partnership with Belarus UNFPA to assist in the preparation and conduct of the Census. Tatyana believes that a census in the XXI century must meet the current demographic trends. Primarily it comes to increasing mobility (migration) of the population, the analysis of this phenomenon. Read in Russian: BelTA
Palestinian Violence Survey results launched
Multiple outlets reported on 6 December on the violence survey results launched by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) in corporation with MDG Project, UNFPA and UNICEF. “The Survey indicates the number of women, children, youth male and others, who are subjected to different kinds of violence” Ms. Ola Awad, President, PCBS said. Read in Arabic: Al-Quds
BURKINA FASO: 6th African Conference on Population
Sidwaya on 6 December reported on one session of the African Population Conference on the called “a Day of the Burkina Faso ". This session, which took place on 5 December 2011, focused on the themes of women, youth, employ and Reproductive Health. This session allowed to discuss preoccupations of our country with regard to these 4 aspects quoted previously. Read in French: Sidwaya
CUBA: UNFPA in Cuba adds to campaign against gender violence
Multiple outlets reported on 6 December that the UNFPA country office in Cuba was incorporated into the campaign "I say No to violence against women", convened by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The activities on the island ranged from theoretical meetings to different cultural settings. Read in Spanish: Cetro Arte, Cenesex, Cenesex (2), Cenesex (3)
BELARUS: UNFPA in Belarus launched the first portal for volunteers in the field of peer education
Belta reported on 6 December that UNFPA Belarus launched the first web site for volunteers in the field of peer education. Presentation of the web site www.ypeer.by hold at the base gymnasium № 1 town of Oshmyany (Republic of Belarus, Grodno region). The portal offers electronic collection of scripts of seminars, information about youth organizations working on a "peer education" as well as information on scholarships and grants. In addition to the theoretical base volunteers will be able to get online counseling psychologist, surgeon and gynecologist. Young people will be able to quickly contact with fellow volunteers, to consult on issues of concern. Read in Russian: BelTA
ETHIOPIA: Maternal Health
Radio France International on 5 December produced a programme on the issue of maternal health in Ethiopia. UNFPA’s Benoit Kalasa was mentioned in the piece. Read and listen in French: Radio France International
JORDAN: Osotimehin: Jordan Achieved Great Progress in Population Issues
All local newspapers, Petra News Agency, and different TV stations reported on 5 December on a UNFPA press conference in which Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, UNFPA Executive Director, said that Jordan is ahead of many developing countries in fulfilling international agreements on human development and maternal health.
Dr. Osotimehin also noted that young people comprise 1.8 billion of the world’s seven billion population and 90 per cent of them live in developing countries, “ a reason why this group should be engaged in the development of their countries” through providing them with the needed education to complete in the job market. Read in Arabic: Al Rai, Addustour, Al Arabalyawm, Al Deyarjo and Petra Read in English: Jordan Times
JORDAN: PM, UNFPA Executive Discuss Cooperation
All local newspapers and Petra News Agency and Jordan Radio & Television reported on 5 December that the Prime Minister Awn Khasawneh met with UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin and resident regional representatives, where they discussed further cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund and the government of Jordan. They also reviewed major social and economic challenges facing the kingdom of Jordan. The meeting was attended by Minister of Planning & International Cooperation Jafar Hassan. Read in Arabic: Al Rai, Addustour, Al Arabalyawm, Al Ghad and Petra Read in English: Jordan Times and Petra