YEMEN: Supporting Women to Take Part in National Dialogue
Multiple media outlets reported on 17-18 June about the 2-day workshop held by the Women National Committee with the support of UNFPA. The workshop determined a criteria for selecting women who would participate in the preparatory committee of the National Dialogue. Read in Arabic: Al Masdar, 14 October, Aleshteraki, Samaa News, Algomhoriah, Mareb Press, Saba News.
MACEDONIA: Open Day to Support Victims of Domestic Violence
Multiple media outlets reported on 15 June that the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy in partnership with the United Nations (5 UN agencies and UNFPA as a lead for communication activities) organized an open day to present the results of the programme entitled “Strengthening national capacities to prevent domestic violence.” In one year, more than 500 new victims of domestic violence have been recorded, and 90% of the perpetrators are men. UNFPA’s Sonja Tanevska pointed out some of the key results achieved by the programme saying, “nearly 400 victims have benefited from free legal aid services, more than 800 professionals from the Ministry of Interior, social workers, judges and public prosecutors have been trained to deal better with domestic violence, and a national coordinative body and local preventive bodies have been established in 33 municipalities to work on preventing domestic violence.” Read in Macedonian: Netpress, Makfaks, tocka, Press24, Kurir, Inpres, MTV, Sitel, Sitel, Kanal 5, Telma, Utrinski vesnik
MOZAMBIQUE: UNFPA Launches Girls Diary
Notícias reported on 15 June that youngsters aged 14 to 18 across the country will receive girls diaries with important information on sexual and reproductive health, rights and services, gender-based violence, and stories of women making a difference in the country’s development. The report notes that the UNFPA-supported programme, “Geração Biz,” in a participative process involving experts and youngsters, produced the diary. Astrid Bant, UNFPA deputy representative, told the paper that the information featured in the diary will help girls in their development. The paper also quotes Ms. Bant advising girls to, “concentrate on [their] studies, spend time on useful activities and prevent early pregnancies. Read in Portuguese: Notícias
CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE: UNFPA Representative On Gender Parity Special TV Broadcast
National television channels Tele-Congo, Top TV, MN TV and DRTV are broadcasting until the July 2012 legislative elections a special show on the representation of women in political, elective and administrative decision-making positions in Congo. The show features women's rights activists, UNFPA Representative David Lawson and journalists. This broadcast is meant to encourage political parties to include women as candidates and in their campaigns, and to favour the engagement of women in electoral processes. Mr. Lawson also pleads for the rapid adoption of the gender parity law announced by President Sassou Nguesso, and currently under review by the Government.
ARMENIA: Expert on Prenatal Sex Selection Meets With Journalists
Multiple media outlets reported on 15 June on the meeting of Christophe Guilmoto, one of the world’s leading experts on prenatal sex selection, with Armenian journalists. Mr. Guilmoto’s recent research on prenatal sex selection and involvement started with India, China, and Viet Nam and has been extended to Eastern Europe and South Caucasus. Currently, he is working on projections for Armenia in terms of prenatal sex selection consequences for the country. This work is a follow-up to the UNFPA Armenia study conducted in 2011 devoted to the prevalence of and reasons for sex-selective abortions in Armenia. Read in Russian: News.am, Aravot Daily. Read in Armenian: Aravot Daily, Arvot Daily, Panorama.am, Panorama.am, News.am, Azg Daily, Hraparak Daily, Mardik.am, Henaran.am, Hayeli.am.
TAJIKISTAN: Training of Midwives
Avesta and Khovar reported on 15 June on a national training of trainers on emergency obstetric care for midwives. The training was held in Dushanbe from 12-19 May and was conducted with support of the Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Republic of Tajikistan and UNFPA. UNFPA Tajikistan will work with MoH and other international partners to strengthen the capacity of midwives in Tajikistan within its reproductive health programme. Read in Russian: Avesta and Khovar
ARMENIA: Report Finds 1,400 Sex-Selective Abortions Carried Out Annually
News.am on 15 June reported on the release of a UNFPA report saying "1,400 girls are not born in Armenia every year because of sex-selective abortions." UNFPA prepared the report with assistance from Armenia's Health Ministry and the Institute of Reproductive Health, Perinatology, Obstetrics and Gynecology. Read in English: News.am
TIMOR-LESTE: Members of PNTL Complete Domestic Violence Investigations Course
Independente on 14 June reported that twenty-one members of the National Police of Timor Leste (PNTL) have graduated from a training course on domestic violence investigation. The commander of the Vulnerable Persons Unit, Chief Inspector Daria da Costa, said that this 2-week course was supported by the government via the Secretary of State for the Promotion of Equality (SEPI), UNFPA, the MDG Achievement Goals Fund and the Timor-Leste Police Development Programme. SEPI, together with UNFPA have been preparing modules and training manuals on gender-based violence and domestic violence investigations since 2005. This training manual will be the guide for the institution of the PNTL.
TIMOR-LESTE: UNFPA Supports Fokupers with Car Donation
Diario Nacional on 14 June reported that UNFPA donated a Hilux car to help Fokupers run their ‘Uma Mahon’ shelters for victims of domestic violence. UNFPA Representative Mr. Pornchai Suchitta said that this car would facilitate Fokupers to carry out their work and support women and children who are victims of gender-based violence (GBV). Director Maria Barreto gave thanks to UNFPA and said that this car would facilitate Fokupers to carry out their programmes and give assistance to victims of GBV.
LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC: Country to Review, Revise Development Strategies
Xinhua on 14 June reported that Laos, in partnership with various UN agencies, has begun a major review of the implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action. UNFPA Representative Esther Muia is quoted saying, "The ICPD Programme of Action has initiated and contributed to major achievements in all areas of population and development in Laos. Its implementation is crucial to the achievement of Millennium Development Goals" but noted that there are areas where, "we can increase our efforts to accelerate the achievements of targets." Read in English: Xinhua
NAMIBIA: Education Inequalities Highlighted in Report
New Era on 13 June reported on the launch of a new report on gender which revealed that certain cultural and traditional practices, teen pregnancies, gender stereotypes and early marriage contribute to educational inequality. The gender assessment study was commissioned by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare and made possible with financial assistance from the Millennium Development Goals Fund through the United Nation Population Fund (UNFPA).
NIGERIA: Budget Officers Trained
The Daily Trust on 13 June reported that, "Kaduna State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in collaboration with the United Nations Population Funds (UNFPA) organized a one-day training for budget officers in ministries, departments and agencies on Gender Responsive Budget in the state." Read in English: The Daily Trust
MOZAMBIQUE: $20 Million to Improve Maternal and Reproductive Health in Zambézia Province
Notícias reported on 13 June that 20 million American dollars will be invested in the next five years to improve maternal and reproductive health in the central province of Zambézia. Interviewed in Quelimane, the capital city of Zambézia, Astrid Bant, UNFPA deputy representative, said that the amount [funded by Canada] will be channeled through four UN agencies specialized in health. Read in Portuguese: Notícias
INDIA: Sex Selection Increasing
The Indian Express on 13 June reported that Maharashtra’s child sex ration, 946 per 1,000 in 1991, dropped to 883 in the 2011 census making it the second worst in the country. Sex selection has increased in the region. According to the paper, “foeticide was once restricted to urban pockets and Western Maharashtra but has now spread to most parts of Marathwada in Central Maharashtra and even tribal pockets of Nashik.” After the 2011 numbers were released, the government formed a committee of MLAs and experts to reverse the ratio drop. The state unit of the United Nations Population Fund conducted training and awareness programmes with the government for judges and lawyers. Read in English: The Indian Express
NIGERIA: Officers Trained on Gender Responsive Budget
The Daily Trust on 13 June reported on a one-day training for ministry, department and agency budget officers on gender responsive budgets. Gender responsive budgeting helps, "track the way budgets respond to women's priorities and the way governments at all levels use funds to reduce poverty, reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS, lower the rate of maternal and child mortality as well as promote gender equality and achieve adolescent and reproductive health." The session was the result of a collaboration between UNFPA and the Kaduna State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development. Read in English: Daily Trust
INDIA: UNFPA Commissions Study on Cash Incentives for Female Children
The Indian Express on 13 June reported on a study commissioned by UNFPA for the Planning Commission to review the impact of cash incentive schemes for the girl child in 2010-2011. Dr. T. V. Sekher, who conducted the review, said incentives have the potential to become an effective way to target resources to girls and women although eligibility requirements should be simplified. Currently, "to get the benefits, the requirements include registration of births, childhood immunisation, schooling, and delaying marriage beyond the age of 18... Also, monitoring is limited and hardly any grievance redressal mechanism is in place." Read in English: Indian Express
CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE: UNFPA Encourages Media to Mobilize Women in Politics
Les Depeches de Brazzaville reported on 12 June on a capacity-building workshop for journalists on population and development opened by Communication Minister Bienvenu Okiemy and UNFPA Representative David Lawson. Their joint vision and agenda for the workshop was to foster excellence in information management by journalists as vectors of change and development and expertise on issues relating to maternal health, youth, HIV prevention, women’s rights and empowerment, vulnerable peoples, etc. Mr. Lawson said, "in all independence, journalists must ensure that women are mobilized and informed about the upcoming legislative elections and engage and participate in the process." Read in French: Les Depeches de Brazzaville and Les Depeches de Brazzaville
CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE: UNFPA Supports Women to Legislative Elections
Les Depeches de Brazzaville reported on 12 June on a town hall meeting on women’s mobilization and engagement in the electoral process, held by UNFPA Representative David Lawson, in the economic capital of Pointe-Noire. With local elected officials and a Women's Affairs Ministry representative, Mr. Lawson underlined the under-representation of women in Congo politics - only 5 ministers out of 37 and 10% and 13% of women in the National Assembly and Senate. He stressed the need for women’s empowerment and participation in the upcoming legislative elections on 15 July and said, "Women are essential to national development and should therefore engage in public affairs, along with men. Women under-representation in politics is not a man problem, it is not a woman problem...it is Congolese problem." Read in French: Les Depeches de Brazzaville
SIERRA LEONE: TBA Training Programme Held
Concord Times on 11 June reported on a UNFPA training programme in the Pujehun district for traditional birth attendants (TBAs). The programme, a six-day training on community advocacy skills for effective monitoring and sensitization on HIV/AIDS, gender-based violence, maternal complications and prevention, targeted TBAs from the 12 chiefdoms in the district. UNFPA Deputy Assistant Country Representative Isatu Kajue and UNFPA Reproductive Health Manager Dr. Jaria Kabba Kebay are both mentioned in the article.
PAKISTAN: Youth Policy Drawn Up in Sindh
Right Vision News and The Balochistan Times on 11 June reported that the Sindh government is in the process of framing a youth policy that would reflect a true need assessment of youth and “put forth an effective implementation plan with monitoring and evaluation to realise the objectives for youth development in letter and spirit in the province.” UNFPA Deputy Representative Yu Yu said that the UNFPA would offer technical and financial support for the policy.
YEMEN: Diagnosed with Obstetric Fistula
Yemen Times on 11 June reported on the causes and consequences of obstetric fistulas and stated that, “According to the U.N. Population Fund (UNFPA), obstetric fistulas annually affect an estimated 10,000 to 50,000 women around the world."
Mozambique: UNFPA Supports Workshop on Gender, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
Rádio Moçambique reported on 11 June that UNFPA supported a workshop on gender and sexual and reproductive health and rights in Zambézia province. Dr. Francelina Romão, adviser to the minister of health, who co-facilitated the workshop, told Rádio Moçambique that participants discussed and exchanged ideas on how to better fight against gender-based violence and forced marriages, promote family planning and advocate for the enforcement of existing laws against violence. Twenty-three participants, said Rádio Moçambique, attended the five-day workshop, from various community-based organizations.