TUNISIA: Euro-Arab Youth Symposium Scheduled
Tunis Afrique Presse on 26 August reported on the Euro-Arab Symposium on "Youth Participation for the Promotion of Peace, Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms." The meeting, attended by youth leaders and experts from several Arab and European countries, seeks to assess current youth policies and discuss ways to strengthen youth participation in public life, particularly in countries experiencing democratic transition. The symposium is part of the Euro-Arab joint programme established between the League of Arab States, the Tunisian Government, the European Commission, the Council of Europe, the Euro-Mediterranean Youth Platform, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the European Youth Forum.
PERU: Health Risks of Adolescent Pregnancy and New Contraceptive Methods
Primera Hora – La Revista, a Sunday supplement of La Primera newspaper, on 26 August published a one-page special about adolescent pregnancy and the new contraceptive methods incorporated by Health Ministry through a UNFPA donation. Thousands of Peruvian women will benefit with these new methods, now distributed nationwide.
RWANDA: Engaging Men to Fight Gender-based Violence
The New Times on 25 August reported on a three-day conference where participants discussed ways in which men can effectively get involved in fighting gender-based violence. UNFPA participated in the meeting.
VIET NAM: New Collaboration to Support Development of National Response to Domestic Violence
Multiple media outlets reported on 25 August that a new collaboration on capacity support for government officials at the national and sub-national levels in the development and implementation of a national response to domestic violence was signed on 24 August between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and UNFPA in Viet Nam.
"We hope this project, through multi-sectoral coordination, will play a key role in establishing a national coordination mechanism to respond to domestic violence and a monitoring and evaluation framework on domestic violence prevention and control. It is important to ensure that a minimum intervention package on domestic violence prevention, care, treatment, protection and support will be available and that these interventions are accessible and affordable for every person in the country through a multi-sectoral response," said Ms. Mandeep K. O'Brien, UNFPA Representative a.i. in Viet Nam. Read in English: Viet Nam Plus, VGP News Read in Vietnamese: Viet Nam Plus, Ha Noi Moi, Gia Dinh va Xa Hoi, To Quoc, Dai Bieu Nhan Dan
TIMOR-LESTE: Awareness of Women’s Issues Raised by Visit
Suara Timor Lorosae on 24 August reported that as part of their two day visit to Timor-Leste, the wife of UN Secretary General, Madame Ban Soon-taek paid a visit to National Hospital Guido Valadares in Dili. The First Lady of RDTL, Senora Isabel Ferreira, Dr. Odete Viegas Hospital Director, and UNFPA representatives hosted Madame Ban Soon-taek as she made a tour of the maternity ward of the national hospital. Madame Ban experienced first-hand the reproductive health services run at the Government hospital with support from UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund). Madame Ban has a special interest in women’s health and women’s rights and used this high profile visit to raise awareness on these issues in Timor-Leste.
Madame Ban Soon-taek thanked the people of Timor-Leste for being such gracious hosts, and in particular to the First Lady of RDTL Senora Isabel Ferreira and UNFPA Representative Mr. Pornchai Suchitta. Madame Ban Soon-taek wished the First Lady every success with the new leadership of this country at this very important point in Timor-Leste’s future.
BELARUS: They Found Vocations Far from Their Homes
Novy chas, arche.by wrote on 24 August that during the last 11 years half a million young people moved from villages to cities within Belarus. Most of migrants are women. Therefore, according to the National Statistical Committee, the sex ratio among rural youth is 8 girls to 10 young men. 82% of Belarusian young people are urban residents. The UNFPA Resource center is sited, “More than 80% of migratory gain in Minsk [the capital] is caused by age group of 15 – 19.” Read in Belarusian: Novy chas, arche.by.
NIGERIA: Working for Access to Reproductive Health
Leadership on 23 August published an analysis of the relationship between access to reproductive health in Nigeria and a healthy population. UNFPA is mentioned several times in the piece and Dr. Osotimehin is quoted, “Working for the survival and the well-being of women and girls is a human right imperative. And in order to take advantage of women’s full potential in the development of their nations, they must be able to plan their lives and families.”
COMOROS: Youth Awareness Raised
Alwatwan on 23 August reported that UNFPA, in partnership with the Association of Urango Urandawo Ouzio Mitsamiouli, held a day of activities to raise awareness in the Ouzio region Cembenoi on health reproduction, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and the fight against violence against girls. This day was marked by the presence of a large number of young people 7-20 years, who were the intended targets of the information. The assistant representative of UNFPA Moroni Mamadou Boina Maecha, was particularly pleased with this effort. According to him, the information campaign took place within the framework of the annual activities in raising awareness of youth against violence against girls, unwanted pregnancies, STDs and reproductive health.
NICARAGUA: Little Progress in Health and Sex Education
El Nuevo Diaro on 23 August reported on the partnership between UNFPA and the Ministry of Education and that UNFPA finished the Manual of Sexuality Education for Teachers, "which now drove an entire operational training, and it is said that there are 1,500 trained already." Read in Spanish: El Nuevo Diario
NICARAGUA: ‘Beat the Desire’ Campaign Launched
Multiple media outlets on 23 August reported that UNFPA, The Masculinity for Gender Equality Network, Save the Children and The Young Voice Program, launched the campaign “Beat the desire.” The campaign came about as a result of a study of adolescents and young people from local communities. Read in Spanish: La Prensa, El Nuevo Diario, Diario Hoy Watch in Spanish: Canal 2
PARAGUAY: Front Calls for Increased Investment in Children and Adolescents
ABC Color and Radio Ñanduti reported on 23 August that the Front for Children and Adolescents, driven by various civil society associations and by UNFPA and Unicef, was presented at the United Nations building. The initiative urges investment in childhood and adolescence and stresses that youth rights are fundamental and must be the center of the electoral agenda and the next government of Paraguay. Read in Spanish: ABC Color, Radio Ñanduti.
VIET NAM: Strengthening Capacity for Government Officials in Implementation of the Youth Development Strategy 2011-2020
Multiple media outlets reported on 23 August that a new collaboration on capacity support for government officials in the implementation of the Vietnamese Youth Development Strategy was signed on 22 August at an official ceremony attended by representatives of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA), the Committee for Culture, Education, Youth, Adolescent and Children of the National Assembly (CCEYAC), the Youth Union (YU), other line ministries, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Viet Nam and the media.
"We hope this project, through multi-sectoral coordination, will play a key role in creating a supportive policy environment; ensuring that policies and programmes are evidence-based; providing capacity support for addressing young people's needs multi-sectorally; and fostering young people's leadership and participation," said Ms. Mandeep K. O'Brien, UNFPA Representative a.i. in Viet Nam. It was also emphasized that this project will play a key role in addressing young people’s needs on sexual and reproductive health and the prevention of HIV and gender-based violence. Read in English: Viet Nam Plus, VOV News, Viet Nam News, Tuoi Tre (Youth), Quan Doi Nhan Dan (Peoples' Army), Dang Cong San VN (Communist Party), Nhan Dan (the Peoples) Read in Vietnamese: Cong An Nhan Dan, Viet Nam Plus, Bao Dien Tu chinh phu
MADAGASCAR: Fistula Occurrence High
Agence France Presse on 22 August published a piece on the occurrence of fistula in Madagascar. UNFPA’s Edwige Ravaomanana is quoted saying, “It is really a problem of poverty…It's also because women can't go to a (clinic). Maybe because of the distance, maybe because they don't know… It's also the tradition. Starting from 18, they are considered old. At 30, a woman can already have 10 children." According to UNFPA data, Madagascar, one of the world's poorest countries, accounts for 2,000 of the more than 50,000 new fistula cases each year around the globe. Widespread fistula here is also blamed on early pregnancy, which is very common in Madagascar. Until 2011 only two doctors in the country could perform the operation. Thanks to a 300,000-euro campaign by the health ministry and the UNFPA, 14 more have been trained.
MADAGASCAR: Little Help for Difficult Pregnancies
News 24 on 22 August reported that in Madagascar, each year, about 2,000 new fistula cases are reported. Until 2011, only two doctors on Madagascar could perform the operation. The Health Ministry and UNFPA had trained 14 doctors and performed 106 operations during the first national campaign to eradicate obstetric fistula. Alphonsina Zara was one of them. She was repaired after suffering from fistula for 14 years. Read in English: News24
PARAGUAY: Demographic Dividend, Opportunity that Should Not Be Missed
Unicanal in its "El Péndulo" issued on 22 August and hosted by journalist Carlos Peralta, demographics expert Robert Cano presented the video produced by the UNFPA country office in which he reflects on the demographic dividend and the need for public policy to take this unique opportunity to achieve equitable social development in the country. View in Spanish: Unicanal, Video bono demográfico.
PARAGUAY: Nearly 4 in 10 Children and Adolescents Living in Poverty
Multiple media outlets reported on 22 August that during the presentation of the Front for Children and Adolescents, an announcement will be made detailing the main activities partner organizations are undertaking to address the nearly 4 in 10 children and adolescents living in poverty. UNFPA is part of the Front that advocates to make sure that the rights of adolescents are considered in the public and political agenda. Read more in Spanish: La Nación, Viva Paraguay, ABC Color, La Nación Digital.
PARAGUAY: Organizations Stress Need for Attention to Children and Adolescents
PPN reported on 21 August that the Front for Children and Adolescents urges appropriate attention to the adolescent and youth population, at present, so that the youth become future male and female adults who can contribute to national development. UNFPA is part of this project which also aims to reduce teen pregnancy and maternal mortality. Read in Spanish: PPN
LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC: Camp Marks International Youth Day
KPL News and Le KPL Quotidien on 21 August reported that Lao Youth's Union in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) organized a youth camp to celebrate International Youth Day 2012 with the theme "Building a Better World: Partnering with Youth." The purpose of the event was to disseminate the important meaning of International Youth Day and also exchange experiences and lessons learned in the past regarding the youth. Read in English: KPL News Read in French: KPL Quotidien
BOLIVIA: New Postcard Contest Launched
ERBOL on 21 August reported on the official UNFPA national contest "Stamp your Sexual Rights and Reproductive Rights." UNFPA invites all young people of Bolivia (from 14 to 24) to participate in the competition with drawings, photographs, graphics, and any other form of artistic expression that can be captured on a postcard. Read in Spanish: ERBOL
PARAGUAY: Promoting a Front for Children and Adolescents
20medios reported on 20 August that several international cooperation agencies, including UNFPA, presented on 22 August, the Front for Children and Adolescents which will work so that children and adolescents are included in the public and political agenda during the next national elections. Read in Spanish: 20medios
HONDURAS: World Summit of African Descent
El Tiempo reported on 20 August that, "the Ethnic Community Development Organization (Odeco), began last Thursday night an event called "XX National Meeting of Afro-Honduran youth", on the first anniversary of the World Summit of African descent in this city developed in August last year. The event was attended by the President of the Supreme Court, lawyer Jorge Rivera Aviles, Health Minister Arturo Bendana, Hugo Gonzales from UNFPA, representatives of international cooperation and civil society in various countries. Read in Spanish: El Tiempo