OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY: UNFPA Continue to Support Cultural Initiatives
Multiple media outlets reported on 14 December on UNFPA’s continued support to youth, this time through the Sharek Youth Forum, by assisting young intellectuals and artists in various fields and topics, such as poetry and literature through the Darwish Fund another initiative of Be the Change. “UNFPA encourages youth ages 18 – 29 to pursue aspirations of writing poetry, novels, or through art, producing documentaries of cultural nature, and through music,” Mr. Bader Zamareh, Sharek Executive Director, said.
TANZANIA: Gender-based violence on rise in Zanzibar
The Guardian Weekly on 14 Decemebr reported that gender-based violence (GBV) has been on the rise in Zanzibar, while a civil organization to assist those in need has called for more coordination among stakeholders. Although Zanzibar has managed to establish a centre from helping abused women and children at Mnazi Mmoja Hospital, but it has not been fully effective due to many challenges. The centre which is supported by UNFPA was established five months ago through the initiatives from Zanzibar’s Ministry of Social Welfare, Youths, Children and Women Development and the Zanzibar Female Lawyer’s Association (ZAFELA) as one of the interventions in GBV.
TANZANIA: United Nations donates health equipment
Daily News on 14 December reportecd that the UN System, in the spirit of Delivering as One in Tanzania, donated ambulances and maternal newborn and child health equipment in support to improve to improve health systems in the country. The Permanent Secretary in the MInistry of Health and Social Welfare, Ms. Blandina Nyoni, thanked the agencies (UNFPA, WHO, WFP, UICEF and ILO), for their generous support. "The equipment and ambulances that we have received today will assist to fill existing gaps that were identified during the assessment for emergency obstetric and child care carried out throughout support of the joint program me two," commented Ms. Nyoni.
IRAQ: Minister of Planning Attends UNFPA Workshop Discussing Findings of National Statistical System Functional Review
Al-Takheteet Al-Youm on 14 December reported that the Iraqi Minister of Planning Dr. Ali Al-Shokri stressed the importance of statistics and information in planning and development, encouraging in this the efforts of the Central Statistical Organization (CSO) in developing the Statistical System in the country with the support of UNFPA. Dr. Al-Shokri joined the last session of the workshop organized by UNFPA in Istanbul on 15-16 November to discuss the findings of the eight functional review missions facilitated by UNFPA in Iraq in July and September 2011 to assess the Statistical System in the country. The workshop was attended by all concerned staff from CSO, Kurdistan Regional Statistical Office and from line ministries who participated in the functional review missions with the international experts mobilized by UNFPA in Iraq. UNFPA Chief Technical Advisor Dr. Luay Shabaneh presented the main findings of the experts and pointed out the strength points in the Iraqi Statistical System and highlighted its drawbacks that include, among other things, the weakness of its infrastructure and its centralization that doesn’t go in line with the country’s orientation towards decentralization. The workshop is considered the last activity in (phase I) of National Statistical System Modernization Project supported by UNFPA and was an opportunity to discuss this phase’s findings and the next phase (2012-2014) workplan of workshops and capacity building with the concerned national counterparts. In conclusion the participants endorsed (phase I) review findings, agreed on the proposed “Statistical Work Code of Practice Policy Document” and the “Statistics Dissemination Policy”, and endorsed (2012-2014) workplan of National Statistical System reform. Read in Arabic: Al-Takheteet Al-Youm
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY: SWOP launched in the Gaza Strip
Multiple media outlets reported on 14 December on launching of the State of World Population Report 2011 that took place in Gaza, an event that was funded by UNFPA. “Population in Palestine is increasing” Ms. Barbara Piazza-Georgi, UNFPA Representative, said. “Population in Gaza is 1.6 million, and the number will increase by the 2025, which will impose a great challenge that needs to be addressed through providing needed services” she continued. Read in Arabic: Alquds, MILAD, Bab Alarab, Al Haya, Refugees Affairs, Maan, Amad, Quds Net, Panet, AlHurriah, Al Ikhbarya
JORDAN: Launch of the National Plan to Monitor Population Policies
All local newspapers and Petra News Agency reported on 14 December that the Higher Population Council (HPC), in cooperation with the United Nations Population fund (UNFPA), launched a national plan to monitor the implementation of policies pertaining to the demographic opportunity.
The plan provides a work mechanism for the HPC to use in monitoring demographic opportunity policies and scenarios in order to help ensure the achievement of related economic, social and development goals.
According to the policy, the demographic opportunity becomes evident when the working age population (individuals aged 15-64 years) starts to grow significantly higher compared to the population of dependents (under 15 and over 64). Read in Arabic: Al Rai, Al Arabalyawm and Petra News Agency Read in English: Jordan Times
CONGO (BRAZZAVILLE): UNFPA awarded for maternal health success
Les Voix du Monde reported on 14 December on National Maternal Health Day celebrated on 12 October, in the presence of Health Minister George Moyen, CARMMA Ambassador Senator Philomene Fouty-Soungou and UNFPA Representative David Lawson. On this occasion the Health Minister announced that the maternal death rate had gone down from 871 for 100,000 live births in 2009 to 300 in 2011. Mr. Lawson received an Award for UNFPA achievements and support on maternal health in Congo.