CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE: UNFPA Supports Women Through Legislative Election Campaign
MNTV, Top TV, DRTV and Tele-Congo broadcast, from 4 July to 8 July, three UNFPA spots designed to encourage women to participate in the electoral process and vote on 15 July and 5 August. Two spots show Congolese men and women encouraging women to vote in their own words. A third spot shows Congolese women leaders explaining to women why they should vote. The spots are broadcast 6 times a week on each channel until election day on 15 July 2012. These spots are part of the US-sponsored programme for women mobilization to the 2012 and 2013 legislative and local elections. Viewin French: YouTube
ETHIOPIA: UNFPA Holds Advocacy Workshop
CAPITAL on 8 July reported that a high-level advocacy workshop was held on 4 July, involving the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, UNFPA and other stakeholders. The advocacy workshop on universal access to reproductive health services and family planning was held as a run-up event to World Population Day and the London Summit on Family Planning taking place on 11 July. The workshop deliberated on such issues as achievements made so far and existing challenges in improving access to family planning, addressing the very high unmet need in the country, and ensuring universal access to reproductive health services.
PARAGUAY: We Must Prepare for Future Urbanizing
Economic Supplement ABC reported on 8 July on the opening of the Meeting of the Special Committee where the ECLAC document on population, territory and sustainable development, developed jointly with the UNFPA, was presented. The research argues that development planning opportunities must be explored to ensure future development. Read in Spanish: : ABC
INDIA: Minister Stresses Pre-marital Counselling
The Hindustan Times on 8 July reported on the two-day World Congress on Population Stabilisation and Women's Health. UNFPA Representative Frederika Meijer addressed the group saying that access to family planning would save the lives of thousands of women and 1.1 million newborns. She also stressed that half of young girls in India are married before they are 18 years old, heightening their risk of complications or death in childbirth. One in four young women 15-24 years of age dies during childbirth in India.
YEMEN: Support for Safe Motherhood
Multiple media outlets reported on 7 July the meeting between UNFPA Representative Marc Vandenberghe and the Minister of Social Affairs, Amat AL-Razzaq Hummad, in which they discussed UNFPA’s support for delivery kits that could help in reducing the maternal and child death in Yemen. Read in English: Saba News. Read in Arabic: Saba News, Shebab TV, Al Gomhoriah, Sahafah and Al Thawra
URUGUAY: Continuing Coverage on the First Homophobia-free Health Service in Country
180.com reported on 7 July that the “Ciudad Vieja” public health centre in Montevideo had been inaugurated as the first service in Uruguay whose health professionals have been trained to avoid discriminatory practices that may hinder the health rights of lesbian, gay, trans, bisexual and intersex persons (LGTIB). The initiative is the result of the cooperation between the Republic University, Ministry of Health, UNFPA, ASSE and the civil society organization Ovejas Negras (in Spanish, “Black Sheeps”). Valeria Ramos, UNFPA Uruguay sexual and reproductive health officer, explained that, over several months, health professionals have been trained and the centre has been adapted to understand the different sexual and reproductive needs of all users. Moreover, she emphasized that this not an specialized or a new health centre, but a health service that does not take for granted that all its users are heterosexuals since this can lead to a wrong diagnosis. Leticia Rieppi, from the Ministry of Public Health, affirmed that several other health centers in the country have already showed their interest in following a similar training and adaptation process. Read in Spanish: 180
JAMAICA: Third of Youth in LAC Live in Poverty
The Jamaica Observer on 7 July reported on the release of a study entitled, "Investing in Latin America and the Caribbean Youth: A Right and Inclusion Imperative." The report was presented by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean and UNFPA. "According to the document, in 2009, 'the poverty and wretched poverty incidence' among young people between the ages of 15 and 29 in the region amounted to 30.3 per cent and 10.1 per cent, respectively. This group, together with children under 15 years old, is the most vulnerable to poverty in Latin America," said the report. Read in English: Jamaica Observer
YEMEN: Safe Delivery Project Discussed
The Yemen News Agency reported on 7 July that Yemen and UNFPA discussed possible aid for the country's safe delivery project. UNFPA Representative, Marc Vandenberghe, expressed satisfaction of the project's outcomes, asserting the continuation of cooperation with the ministry in the 2012-2013 program round. Read in English: Yemen News Agency
OMAN: UNFPA to Participate in Tourism Festival
The Oman Daily Observer on 7 July reported that the UNFPA GCC area office in Muscat will participate in the Salalah Tourism Festival, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH) HIV section, and the MoH National Committee for Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances, along with participants from the Y-PEER Oman and Y-PEER Bahrain networks. According to a UNFPA release, “This participation is set to be the biggest and most exciting one yet, raising awareness not only in the core mandate of the UNFPA — Reproductive health for all, but also issues related to birth spacing, HIV and the growing population.” Read in English: Oman Daily Observer
INDIA: Family Planning Programme Requires Overhaul
The Deccan Herald on 7 July reported that the country's family planning programmed needs to prioritise reversible methods of contraception according to UNFPA Representative Frederika Meijer. Read in English: Deccan Herald
URUGUAY: New Law Will Allows Start of Adoption Process During Pregnancy
El Observador reported on 6 July that all political parties have reached an agreement on the new adoption law, including considerations of maternal and newborn health. Taking into account the complex and long procedures for adoption, UNFPA’s specialists were invited by a Parliamentary Commission to present evidence and proposals on how adoption affects health conditions of both pregnant women who decide to give their future newborns up for adoption and their children. Read more in Spanish: El Observador
BELARUS: Shorts on 2009 Census Results Win Prizes
Several media outlets on 6 July reported that a series of short, animated video on the 2009 Belarus Census results, created by the National Statistic Committee,with support from UNFPA, won prizes at the third annual Belarusian-language advertising and communication festival ADNAK. The work was presented in two categories: "social advertising" and "television and film." The series won third place in each category. Read in Belarusian: Marketing.by, kyky.org
Russian language videos with English subtitles: Video 1, Video 2
Belarussian language videos: Video 1, Video 2
JAMAICA: Maternal Mortality Still High
The Jamaica Observer on 5 July reported that, "there are fresh concerns that the country will end up far from the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of reducing the number of deaths to 25 per 100,000 live births by 2015." Director of the Latin American and Caribbean Division of the UNFPA, Marcela Suazo, is quoted as saying, "With all the technological advances, this shouldn't happen. Maternal mortality should not be a problem in this century. We have enough knowledge that should prevent women from dying while giving life." In Jamaica, hypertension, followed by haemorrhage, embolism (where a blood clot or air bubble blocks a blood vessel), and unsafe abortions account for half of all maternal deaths. Read in English: Jamaica Observer
GUATEMALA: UN Says One in Four Children Born of Teen Mother
Siglo 21 reported on 5 July that the UN says that one in four children is born of a teenage mother or a young woman, most likely poor, said Marcela Suazo, UNFPA Regional Director, in Quito, where UNFPA has asked for better public policy to benefit youth. Read in Spanish: Siglo 21
PARAGUAY: Maternal Mortality Declined in Last Ten Years
Ultima Hora reported on 5 July that maternal mortality declined in Latin America and the Caribbean by 41% in the last 10 years, although the averages of the region still show deep inequality. Virginia Camacho, regional advisor on sexual and reproductive health, UNFPA, made these statements at the Special Committee meeting of the ECLAC Population and Development, which takes place in the city of Quito, Ecuador. Read in Spanish: Última Hora
PARAGUAY: One in Four in Latin America Born To Teenage Mother
ABC Digital reported on 5 July that in the framework of the Special Committee Meeting of ECLAC Population and Development, UNFPA Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Marcela Suazo said that births to teenage mothers occur in poorer households, so it made an urgent call to invest in education, access to sexual and reproductive health and family planning for adolescents and young people. Read more in Spanish: ABC Digital
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY: Palestinian Authority Contribution to UNFPA
Al-Ayyam on 5 July reported on the meeting between H.E. Dr. Riyad Malki, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Ms. Barbara Piazza-Georgi, UNFPA representative. The purpose of the meeting was to hand over, by Dr. Malki, a cheque in the amount of $5,000 from the PNA to UNFPA. “Realizing the vital role UNFPA plays in oPt,” Dr. Malki said in his press release, “despite the financial difficulties the Palestinian Authority is going through.” Ms. Piazza-Georgi expressed her gratitude and appreciation and considered it to be “a historic moment when Palestine contributes to development at the global level, despite the difficulties of the PNA” she commented. Read in Arabic: Al-Ayyam
NIGERIA: UNFPA Seeks to Boost Access to Contraceptives
The Guardian on 5 July reported that the UNFPA has started to train monitors to ease the contraceptive distribution procedure. An uncoordinated distribution system has limited the intended impacts of the government's free contraceptives programme. Read in English: The Guardian
NIGERIA: Maternal Deaths High In Lagos
The Guardian on 5 July reported on a recent study which found that one in every 40 pregnant women in Lagos will die during gestation, childbirth or during the six weeks after the end of the pregnancy or delivery. The study, "a collaborative effort with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and Ipas identified reasons why MMR remains unacceptably high in Lagos State at 555 per 100,000 compared to the national average of 545 per 100,000 live births." Read in English: The Guardian
LEBANON: Launching of Joint GBV Project in North
Several media outlets reported on 4-7 July on the launch by the Safadi Foundation of a new UNFPA-supported project entitled, "Yes for Facing Violence Together." The project aims to raise awareness on gender-based violence prevention among residents of old neighbourhoods in the Northern city of Tripoli, through the implementation of sensitization events as well as learning basic martial arts skills for empowering women and girls on psychological, social, physical levels. The project will be implemented in three Safadi Foundation centers located in Tripoli and its surroundings.
This project falls within the joint MDG-F Programme on Conflict Prevention and Peace Building in North Lebanon, within which UNFPA is entrusted with the Women Empowerment and Gender Component. The project It comes as a result of a two-staged training workshop targeting social workers and women leaders: first stage revolves around GBV concepts, definitions and implication, and second stage addresses project development and results based management; after which participating NGOs submitted small proposals to implement local initiatives aiming at empowering women and providing support to reduce GBV vulnerability in targeted areas. Safadi Foundation and is one of the 4 NGOs recipients of such small grants. Read in Arabic: Al Bayan; Tripoli scope.
TANZANIA: UNFPA Urged Increase in Health Budget
The Daily News on 5 July reported that UNFPA Assistant Representative Dr. Rutasha Dadi urged officials to consider a per capita allocation in their health budget. "As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), countries are required to put aside 33 US dollars per person in the health budget. UNFPA supports this and we urge the government to adhere to the target as it is more effective," he said. Read in English: Daily News
GHANA: Journalist Sensitization Workshop Held
The Ghana News Agency on 5 July reported on a UNFPA organised media workshop to sensitize journalists on the implementation of the sixth Ghana Country Programme (CP6) which will be ongoing for five years. The workshop helped the journalists to understand CP6 and updated their knowledge on the UNFPA strategic plan for enhanced coverage of UNFPA-mandated issues. Read in English: Ghana News Agency
MYANMAR: Country Programme Action Plan Signed
The New Light of Myanmar on 5 July reported on the signing ceremony to implement the Country Programme of Action Plan (2012-2015). The ceremony was jointly organized by the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and UNFPA. The four-term Country Programme of Action Plan is to be implemented in the cause of reproductive health, booming population, HIV/AIDS and gender equality.
URUGUAY: Promoting Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health in Border City of Rivera
La Red TV de Rivera reported on 4 July that local authorities were preparing a plan to promote family planning and HIV/AIDS prevention among young people. Rivera is a Uruguayan city located along the border with the Brazilian city of Santana do Livramento (together forming a city of almost 300,000 inhabitants). Rhe Brazilian NGO Reprolatina, with UNFPA’s support, was to replicate similar experiences already ongoing in Brazil. Interviewed by la Red, Valeria Ramos, UNFPA sexual and reproductive health officer, explained the advances in the project and the interest of UNFPA to guarantee that every Rivera young person’s potential is fulfilled. In doing so, she added, it is mandatory to guarantee that they receive high-quality information and education on sexual and reproductive health at the same time that the health centres operate youth-friendly services.
INDONESIA: Government Shows Little Effort to Promote Reproductive Health
The Jakarta Post on 4 July reported that, "Despite its stated commitment to supporting the UN Population Fund’s (UNFPA) reproductive health programs, the government is making little effort to promote young people’s access to quality sexual and reproductive health services." Jose Ferraris, UNFPA's Indonesia representative and Nisrina Nadhifah Rahman, a member of the UNFPA’s Youth Advisory Panel are both quoted in the article. Read in English: Jakarta Post
INDIA: A Maternal Death Every 10 Minutes: UN
Zee News on 3 July reported that India recorded 57,000 maternal deaths in 2010, which translates to six every hour and one every 10 minues, according to UN data. However some progress has been made. The newspaper quoted UNFPA Representative Frederika Meijer as saying, ""India is moving well on MMR. We have made progress in this regard. The MMR recorded a 38 per cent decline in maternal deaths between 1999 and 2009. There has been progress but we are not there just yet. The Government needs to ensure the availability of Auxiliary Nurses and Midwives closer to the homes of women who are delivering." Read in English: Zee News
CAMEROON: Unwanted Pregnacies – 61 Percent of Women at Risk
Cameroon Tribune reported on 3 July on the recent study released by the Guttmacher Institute and UNFPA. According to UNFPA Representative, Alain Sibenaler, 61 percent of women in Cameroon are likely to have unwanted pregnacies if they do not use contraceptives methods. He added that the 2004 Demographic and Health Survey shows that a total of 22.1 per cent of pregnancies in absolute terms were either mistimed (17.4 per cent) or unwanted (4.7 percent). Read in English: Cameroon Tribune
BURKINA FASO: Unmet Need for Family Planning
Sidwaya on 3 July reported on a recently released study on the use of contraceptive methods conducted by the Guttmacher Institute and UNFPA in 2012. According to the newspaper, the study found that from 2008 to 2012, the number of women of reproductive age (15-49 years) who used modern contraceptive methods increased from 42 million in the developing world. Faced with growing unmet needs in family planning, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, executive director of UNFPA noted that "it must bridge the gap between the demand for family planning and availability of services, starting with the most vulnerable poor women, rural women and youth, on which our future. " Read in French: Sidwaya
INDONESIA: Promote Condoms
Antara News on 3 July reported that UNFPA stated the need for the promotion of condom use. Read in Indonesian: Antara News
INDONESIA: Maternal Health
Detik Health on 3 July reported on maternal health and workshop by UNFPA's Dr. Mealnia Hidayat. Read in Indonesian: Detik Health