TUNISIA: First North African Launch of CARMMA
Tunis Afrique Presse and Tunisie-Radio reported on 21, 24 and 25 November on the launch of the Campaign on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa (CARMMA) in Tunisia highlighting that the country will be the first North African state to launch CARMMA with the aim of sharing the country’s experience in reducing maternal mortality with other countries in Africa as well as learning from other best practices. The opening ceremony was chaired by H.E. Bience Gawanas (African Union Commission of Social Affairs), and attended by Mr. Hafedh Chekir, UNFPA Arab States Regional Office Director and Mr. Mohammed Salah Ben Ammar, General Director of Public Health of the Tunisian Republic and began with a vibrant tribute to Chadian CARMMA champion H.E. Achatone Gossinar who suddenly passed away on the day of arrival to Tunis to attend the event. Read in French: TAP, TAP and Tunisie-Radio
URUGUAY: Advances and Training on Gender Equity
UYPress reported on 25 November that Salary Council negotiators (who articulate the negotiations between government, trade unions and employers for different business sectors) participated in a training course on gender equity organized by the Ministry of Labour, the NGO Red Género y Familia, UNFPA and ILO. Its goal was to identify family care needs and take into account measures that favour working and personal life balance from the perspective both of employees and employers. The national director of labour stressed that it is necessary to include in the collective negotiation specific clauses on gender equity within the collective agreements and that the government has to monitor its effective application. Read more in Spanish: UYpress
BURKINA FASO: Midwifery Report Launched
L’Observateur Paalga on 25 November reported on the ceremony launching the State of World’s Midwifery 2011. This ceremony proceeded in the presence of Mr. General Secretary of the Minister for Health, representing his Ministry, the UNFPA/Burkina Representative and the Director of Maternal and Neonatal Health. The Director of maternal and neonatal health presented the report which reveals a ratio of one midwife per 14,985 habitants. In his speech, the Representative of UNFPA/Burkina specified that, “In Burkina, it is more than ever necessary to set up a system in place a functional health system with a qualified personnel.”
BURKINA FASO: Publication on Youth Needs
Le Pays on 25 November wrote an article on the meeting organized by the African Network for Youth Health and Development (RAJS/BF) for the publication of a study on the needs and aspirations of young people and adolescents. This meeting was organized with technical and financial support of the UNFPA.
BURKINA FASO: Increase Investment in Youth
Le Pays on 25 November reported on the annual meeting of the actors of youth health. The General Secretary of the Ministry for Health and Dr. Sankara Olga, representing the Representative of UNFPA/Burkina chaired the opening ceremony of the meeting. The meeting aims to reinforce the coordination and the follow-up of the interventions in the field of health for teenagers and young people. Dr. Olga Sankara, National Officer in Charge of Reproductive Health of UNFPA, said that, “it is necessary to massively increase the investments in, for and by the young people.” Read in French: Le Pays
CUBA: Geography Convention Presents State of World Population 2011
Cuban press reported on the Second Geography, Environment and Territorial Management Convention, which met in Havana, from 22 to 25 November. It was concluded with a conference given by Dr. Rolando Garcia, UNFPA Assistant Representative in the island, about the 2011 State of World Population. Read in Spanish: Juventud Rebelde and Cuba.cu
MONGOLIA: Call to End Gender-Based Violence
The Mongol Messenger reported on 25 November that in the next few years, UNFPA, along with other UN agencies, will continue partnering with government, justice and civil society for a more comprehensive response to gender-based violence (GBV), through the One-Stop Service Centres piloted by the Ministry of Health. On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Secretary-General calls for "zero tolerance" to GBV. In Mongolia, it is time for men and women to rise up and unite to end GBV.
TANZANIA: UK Government to Support Census with Tshs. 1.7 billion
Mwananchi on 25 November reported that the UK government has given Tanzania additional 4.5 GPB for the forthcoming census preparations scheduled for August 2012. The additional funds make a total of 9.5 GPB that will be contributed for the same purpose. Speaking during the signing ceremony, Minister of Finance, Mustafa Mkulo said the government appreciates the UK’s support and that it has come at an opportune moment. He further said the government has set aside enough funds to ensure that the next census is conducted at a professional and international standard. In line with this the UNFPA Country Representative Dr. Julitta Onabanjo said, “I commend the work done by National Bureau of Statistics so far, and am sure they have prepared themselves well. UNFPA is satisfied with the preparations and will continue to support and make sure that the coming census is conducted on international standards.”
TURKEY: Stopping Domestic Violence Tops Agenda
The Hürriyet Daily News reported on 25 November on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, a new campaign inviting all men to sign the pledge declaring “as men, we understand that violence against women is a threat to the well-being of society and is inexcusable. Women are our friends, sisters and mothers. They are our future. We will not be mere spectators. We must unite to end violence against women. We will participate in ending this violence.” UNFPA Turkey Representative Dr. Zahidul Huque was one of the first signers of the declaration against violence targeting women. Read in English: Hurriyet Daily News
BURKINA FASO: On Launch of Midwifery Report
Sidwaya on 25 November reported on the launching of the State of World’s Midwifery 2011. This report focused on 58 countries with rates of maternal and newborn mortality. In Burkina Faso, there are not enough qualified midwives and the national health system is poorly equipped. It makes recommendations for the internationals organizations, the global partnerships, the donor agencies and civil society. UNFPA Representative Dr. Mamadou Kanté is quoted saying, “For UNFPA, no woman must die to give the life.” Read in French: Sidwaya
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY: Daleel (Manual) of Adolescent Health Training of Trainers
Al-Quds on 25 November reported that through funds from UNFPA, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education/Bethlehem Directorate, organized a 3-day Training of Trainers (ToT) which targeted employees from school health employees and counselors from southern and central directorates. “The issues which were discussed during the workshop were based on counselor’s needs that we identified through distributing forms amongst them” Ms. Insaf Omar, Project Coordinator, said. “We underlined a great importance on the Manual since it is beneficial to all youth in Palestine and helps raise their awareness” Dr. Sami Marwa, Director General/Bethlehem Directorate, said. Other similar ToT will take place in the future. Read in Arabic: Al-Quds
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY: National Monitoring System related to Youth Indicators Workshop
Al-Ayyam on 25 November reported that the Ministry of Youth and Sports, UNFPA and UNICEF organized the National Monitoring System related to Youth Indicators workshop in Ramallah on 24 November. “The goal of this workshop is to contribute in “shaping” the future of youth in Palestine” Mr. Masalmeh, Director General at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, said. “The monitoring system is an important tool to determine youth needs, develop national indicator” Ziad Yaish, Assistant Representative, said. “We have identified four goals to help us strengthen youth roles in the society and enhance the quality of proposed programmes. At the end of this workshop, we will identify recommendations to agree on monitoring and evaluation indicators to monitor progress and support our future planning,” he continued. Read in Arabic: Al-Ayyam
VIET NAM: Women Fight Back Against Domestic Violence
Multiple media outlets reported on 23-25 November that services including legal advise, counselling support, health care and shelters are not available for all women who suffer from domestic violence, according to a policy dialogue on violence against women held in Ha Noi on 23 November. The workshop was co-organised by the United Nations (UNFPA, UN Women and UNODC), the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Viet Nam Women's Union on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November.
Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Hoang Vinh Ai affirmed that the Vietnamese government is determined to prevent domestic violence, implementing genuine equality, and eradicating discrimination against women to make Vietnamese families happier and more prosperous.
The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Viet Nam, Pratibha Mehta, spoke highly of the Vietnamese government’s efforts as well as its development partners’ assistance in abolishing violence against women. She also committed to further cooperate with the government and its partners to raise the status of women and boost gender equality.
Vu Song Ha, UNFPA's National Consultant on Gender said that to protect ill-treated women, a range of services such as shelters, legal advice and counselling support must be "available, accessible and affordable." In addition to the lack of services, Ha also pointed out that factors such as discrimination against victims of domestic violence as well as limited capacity and lack of gender-sensitive attitudes among social workers were also challenges that hindered women's access to these services. Read in English: Viet Nam News, Viet Nam Plus, VOV, Quan Doi Nhan Dan, Viet Nam Net and Quan Doi Nhan Dan Read in Vietnamese: Quan Doi Nhan Dan , Nhan Dan, Gia dinh Xa hoi, Thanh Tra, Cong An Nhan Dan, VGP News and Tuyen Giao
CAMEROON: “Pregnant Woman” Song Presented
Cameroon Radio and Television (CRTV) reported on 25 November on a visit by UNFPA Representative Mr, Alain Sibenaler to the General manager of CRTV to officially hand over the DVD of the song “Pregnant Women” produced by UNFPA in partnership with Prince Eyango.
LEBANON: Launching a “Guide for Working in Women Prisons in Lebanon”
Several media outlets announced on 25 November the upcoming launching ceremony of the “Guide for Working in Women Prisons in Lebanon” planned for 28 November. The guide was authored by the Institute for Women’s Studies in the Arab World (IWSAW) at the Lebanese American University with the support of UNFPA Lebanon. Read in Arabic: Al Moustaqbal, Nour Sat, Al Ankabout. Read in English: Nour Sat
CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE): UNFPA Supports Family Planning Repositioning
Les Depeches de Brazzaville reported on 25 November on a new initiative by UNFPA and the Health Ministry to enhance family planning as part of the on-going and productive government strategy to reduce maternal mortality. In Congo, girls and young women are among the most affected by teen pregnancy and maternal mortality. UNFPA Representative David Lawson said, "Promoting family planning is among the cheapest investments to reduce maternal mortality. We are convince that this initiative will help us further reduce maternal moortality in the short run." Read in French: Les Depeches de Brazzaville
BELARUS: Mini-exhibition Launched
Belta reported on 25 November that an opening of the mini-exhibition of the best T-shirts design of the UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign will take place on 29 November at the Gallery of modern art "U." The authors of the best works, senior government officials, journalists and UN staff are invited to participate in the event. UNFPA Representative Tatiana Gaplichnik will participate in the event. Read in Russian: Belta
KYRGYZSTAN: Press Conference on National 16 Days Campaign of Activism Against Gender Violence
Knews, 24KG, Kyrtag, VB reported on 25 November that the United Nations Population Fund in the Kyrgyz Republic (UNFPA) in collaboration with UN Women conducted the press conference. The 2011 campaign is held under the slogan “From Peace in Every Home to Peace in Kyrgyzstan,” reflecting the global theme of the campaign and the priorities of Kyrgyzstan. The press conference was opened by the UN Resident Coordinator in the Kyrgyz Republic Ms. Alexander Avanessov, also Ms. Djoldosheva N., Deputy Minister on Labour, Employment and Migration, Ms. Boronbaeva T, Deputy of Ombudsman Institute, Ms. Eliferenko A., President of the Association of Crisis Centres and Ms. Salaeva J., Head of the Network “Women of Kyrgyzstan as Peacemakers” participated in the press conference.
2010 was full of events in Kyrgyzstan that affected in many ways the status and the conditions of women. The problem of increasing violence in its various forms is still a particularly serious problem. Violence not only undermines the livelihoods of women, but also impairs the safety of society. In a state of conflict the existing problems become aggravated and more sensitive, as well as reveal the imperfection of the existing systems of assistance and rehabilitation of violence survivors.
Every year since 1991, Kyrgyzstan holds 16-day activism campaigns of combating violence against women. For Kyrgyzstan these 16 days of activism is carried out under the auspices of the Global 16 day campaign aimed at joining the efforts of women's networks, peacemakers and human rights activists in ending violence against women, including violence in the armed conflicts. The campaign is a unique opportunity for Kyrgyzstan’s activists for joining the global movement and demonstration of solidarity with the world’s progressive networks working to eliminate all forms of violence against women. Read in Russian: Knews, Knews, 24KG, 24KG, Kyrtag, VB, VB