UGANDA: Community Volunteers Urge Fewer Children
The Inter Press Service on 29 June reported on the success of voluntary health teams (VHTs) in Uganda. "Three years ago, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in collaboration with the Ugandan Ministry of Health and the Kanungu District Local Government, created the teams. UNFPA funds 95 percent of family planning services in this East African nation, while the government provides the remainder." Such teams educate on family planning methods and encourage their use. Read in English: Inter Press Service
GUATEMALA: UNFPA Supports National Book Fair and Centralamerican Book Fair
Reportaje de reported on 28 June that, within the framework of the International Book Fair in Guatemala (FILGUA) and Centralamerican International Book Fair (FILCEN), event organizers expect to carry out activities to highlight women's participation. During both events, workshops will take place on reproductive health and midwives, with the support of the United Nations Population Fund UNFPA. Read in Spanish: Reportaje de
GEORGIA: Continuous Coverage on Reproductive Health and Rights Seminar
Georgia Today reported on 28 June that the United Nations Population Fund in Georgia, in partnership with the all-party MDG Group at the Parliament of Georgia, the Healthcare and Social Issues Committee of the Parliament of Georgia, and Centre “Tanadgoma,” organized a seminar for the members and staffers of the Parliament of Georgia on reproductive health and rights.
Participants in the seminar were welcomed by Giorgi Tsereteli, Deputy Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, Rusudan Kervalishvili, Deputy Chairperson of the Parliament of Georgia and Chairperson of the Gender Equality Council at the Parliament of Georgia, Otar Toidze, Chairman of the Healthcare and Social Issues Committee of the Parliament of Georgia, and Tamar Khomasuridze, Assistant Representative UNFPA Country Office, Georgia. The participants discussed the sexual and reproductive health policy and the role of the Parliament of Georgia in advancing the reproductive health and rights of the population. The high-level officials underlined the importance and effectiveness of UNFPA’s support to Georgia.
The seminar was conducted within the framework of the UN Joint Programme “To Enhance Gender Equality in Georgia,” implemented by a close collaboration of the three UN agencies - United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Women’s Fund (UNWomen), and UNFPA through generous support of the Swedish International Agency for Development (Sida). Read in English: Georgia Today
SIERRA LEONE: Repositioning Gender
Concord Times on 28 June reported that UNFPA, with the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children's Affairs, and in partnership with Fambul Initiative Network for Equality (FINE-SL), "concluded a three-day policy dialogue and capacity-building programme for traditional and religious leaders, and youth in the 13 chiefdoms in Bombali district to change the perception of gender equality in their communities." Isatu Kajue, acting Deputy Representative of UNFPA, is mentioned in the article as describing her organization as a developmental agency that promotes sexual amd reproductive health and reproductive rights "because they believe in the concept of every one counts." Read in English: Concord Times
BELARUS: Projects on Gender Equality and Domestic Violence Launched
Belta, tut.by and open.by on 25 and 28 June reported on the launch of two pilot projects for the prevention of domestic violence and gender equality. Both projects are a joint initiative of the United Nations (UN), United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the Belarusian government and will expand the range of assistance to women-victims of domestic violence. Pilot programmes in Brest will allow for testing and development before implemenation at the national level. Read in Russian: Belta, tut.by, open.by
LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC: Preparations Begin for Massive 2015 Population and Housing Census
Xinhua on 28 June reported that Laos and UNFPA began preparations for the 2015 Population and Housing Census with a workshop launching the project. This is the fourth time the country has undertaken this survey, the most recent being in 2005. The survey is expected to be a useful source of information, not just for the UN and the Government, but for many different sectors in Laos as well. UNFPA Representative Esther Muia is quoted as saying, "The vast amount of information it (the survey) can capture, such as the total number of a country's population, age economic status, family size, location and ethnicity, gives policy makers the information they need for planning and delivering services in particular for the poorest and most vulnerable." Read in English: Xinhua
JORDAN: Preparations Begin for Family Health Survey
Multiple media outlets reported on 28 June that the Department of Statistics (DOS) in Jordan has signed an agreement with UNFPA, UNICEF and USAID to conduct a population and family health survey of the Kingdom. Survey activities will start immediately, with data collection taking place between September and December 2012. The study is funded by the government, USAID, UNFPA and UNICEF. Read in Arabic: Alarabalyawm, Alrai, and Addustour
JORDAN: Second Inter-country Training Workshop on Reproductive Health Counseling
Al Ghad and Addustour reported on 28 June that a training workshop on reproductive health counselling, organized by UNFPA and the World Health Organization /WHO regional offices, concluded today.
Experts from both UNFPA and WHO regional offices conducted the 5-day training. Participants hailed from Jordan, Tunisia, Oman, Palestine, Iran, Pakistan, Djibouti, Afghanistan, Somalia, Sudan and Syria. Read in Arabic: Addustour
COSTA RICA: At-Risk Youth Find Opportunities
Multiple media outlets reported on 28 June on the presentation of a Comprehensive Care Model for Youth as an activity during the Joint Programme “Youth, Employment and Migration” (JEM). The programme supports young people who, for different reasons, were unable to complete their studies or who have had difficulty finding work. Patricia Salgado, UNFPA Assistant Representative, said that "the purpose of this initiative has been to create what is now disclosed as a model of employment where young people can come and get all the services they require for their personal development, economic, labour, etc." Watch and listen in Spanish: Channel 9, Radio Nacional, and Channel 13.
SIERRA LEONE: HFAC Ends FP Repositioning Conference
The Concord New Citizen reported on 28 June that the Health for All Coalition (HFAC), a civil society advocacy group working to promote health care service delivery in Sierra Leone, on 26 June organized a one-day advocacy conference for stakeholders in the health sector. The conference aimed at repositioning family planning in the Agenda for Prosperity.
HFAC Executive Director, Charles Mambu stated that the repositioning of family planning is critical, especially in the lives of women and children.
The UNFPA Representative, Ratidzai Ndhlovu, reiterated that access to family planning services is abysmally low, compared to other countries in the region and the world. Representative Ndhlovu also noted that the national prevalence rate in 2008 was 7% with marked regional variation of 3.8% in rural areas and 14.2% in urban areas. She underscored that family planning is a fundamental component of primary health care and reproductive health.
CAMEROON: Midwives Are Coming…
CRTV broadcast on 26 and 28 June a TV documentary on the profession of midwifery. New midwifery schools opened last year with UNFPA technical and financial support.
TAJIKISTAN: World Refugee Day Celebrations
Ozodagon News Agency on 28 June reported that events devoted to World Refugees Day were conducted in Dushanbe by the UNHCR in cooperation with UNFPA, UN Volunteers, Danish Refugees Council and several national organizations. Takhmina Niyazova, a national celebrity invited by the UNFPA CO, delivered a speech and performed her songs for children of Afghan refugees, asylum seekers and the local population during the concert. Read in Russian: Ozodagon News Agency
GUATEMALA: 222 Million Women have Unmet Family Planning Needs
CERIGUA reported on 27 June that there are thousands of women in developing countries who wish to avoid pregnancy but are not using contraception, according to a new study by the Guttmacher Institute and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). According to the information, it is estimated that 222 million women have unmet need for modern family planning methods. The document also reveals that in the developing world, there are 645 million women of childbearing age. Read in Spanish: CERIGUA
GLOBAL: UN Putting Family Planning Back in Spotlight
The Associated Press reported on 27 June that the head of the United Nations Population Fund wants the world to pay more attention to family planning issues. In the interview, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin told The Associated Press that "'family planning seems to have fallen off the radar' in the past two decades — a victim of politics, funding shortages and focus on other priorities such as fighting AIDS...He hopes a July 11 summit in London organized by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the British government will increase attention to the need for better family planning in poor countries." The Washington Post, CBS, BusinessWeek, ABC News and others picked up the piece. Read in English: The Associated Press
YEMEN: Preparation for World Population Day
Al-Thawrah on 27 June reported on the meeting of the World Population Day preparation committee which is going to be organized by the National Population Council and UNFPA. Read in Arabic: Al-Thawrah
DENMARK: Reproductive Rights at Rio and the Family Planning Summit in London
Orientering on 27 June interviewed Chief of the Nordic Office Pernille Fenger on the outcome of Rio and the opposition to the UNFPA mandate. The UNFPA Chief mentioned that sexual and reproductive health is important to sustainable development and that the Rio outcome was constructive in furthering this agenda. The UNFPA Nordic Chief also made reference to the Summit on family planning and the importance of reducing unmet need. Read in Dutch: Orientering
SWAZILAND: Development Workshop a Success
The Swazi Observer on 26 June reported on the conclusion of a development workshop hosted jointly by the Swaziland National Youth Council and UNFPA. The four-day workshop resulted in a youth-friendly action plan, expected to be implemented by young people within their various communities, to address wide-ranging societal challenges such as unemployment, drug abuse and the negative effects of HIV/AIDS.
The workshop was attended by Member of Parliament Nichodemus Mashwama, UNFPA officials and nearly 30 youth association leaders from communities within the Lubombo region. Read in English: Swazi Observer
GEORGIA: 2010 Reproductive Health Survey Final Report Disseminated
Multiple media outlets on 26 June reported on the Dissemination Conference of the 2010 Georgia Reproductive Health Survey Final Report which was organized by the UNFPA Georgia CO. The conference presented the survey final report to government officials, representatives of national and international organizations and experts. It also elaborated on relevant recommendations for further efforts in the field.
The press conference, preceding the event was attended by the First Lady of Georgia, Chairperson of the National Reproductive Health Council Mrs. Sandra Elisabeth Roelofs, the Vice Chairman of the Parliament Mr. George Tsereteli, Minister of Labour, Health and Social Affairs (MoLHSA) Mr. Zurab Tchiaberashvili, UNICEF Representative in Georgia Mr. Roeland Monasch, UNFPA/Georgia Assistant Representative Ms. Tamar Khomasuridze, and Senior Health &Infectious Diseases Adviser, USAID Caucasus Ms. Tamar Sirbiladze.
The 2010 Women Reproductive Health Survey was the third nationally representative survey to collect demographic and reproductive health data at the national and regional level and to track demographic and reproductive health indicators progress over the last decade.
A third round population-based household probability survey of women of childbearing age was conducted in 2010 with the financial support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and with the technical support of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, Atlanta, USA). Similar to previous reproductive health surveys, MoLHSA and the National Centre for Disease Control and Public Health were the main national implementing partners. Read in English: Georgia Today and Inter Press News. Read in Georgian: Primetime News, News Georgia, Tribuna, GHN. Watch in Georgian: 1TV and MyVideo
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA: Women Victims of Sexual Violence in War
Al-Jazeera Balkans broadcast on 25 and 26 June a regional (Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina) talk show on the status of women victims of sexual violence in war. Invited, along with psychology therapist from Croatia and NGO activist from Serbia, was Assistant Representative of the United Nations Population Fund in BiH Faris Hadrovic who stated that UNFPA in BiH has made substantive progress in extending the state’s responsibility for this vulnerable category through supporting the State ministry in the development of the Programme for Improvement of the Status of Survivors of Conflict Related Sexual Violence.
Mr. Hadrovic stressed the importance of the advocacy activities UNFPA in BiH has been doing as an important element in the overall approach to improving the status of women victims of sexual violence in war . There is a high level of stigma and lack of understanding for these women. Watch in Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian: Al Jazeera Balkans or with English subtitles on YouTube
BURKINA FASO: UNFPA Representative Received By First Lady
Sidwaya on 25 June reported that Madame Chantal Compaore, the First Lady of Burkina Faso, received the UNFPA Representative in Burkina Faso Dr. Mamadou Kante. According to the newspaper, the First Lady has confirmed her participation in the London Summit on Family Planning. This summit will be held on 11 July. According to Dr. Kante, the situation of family planning in Burkina Faso is making progress.
JAMAICA: Non-communicable Disease Treatment Could Lower Maternal Deaths
The Jamaica Observer on 25 June reported that, according to UNFPA Assistant Representative Melissa McNeil-Barrett, the country could see a further reduction in their maternal death rate by tackling non-communicable diseases (NCDs). "In the past few years, the causes of maternal death and morbidity have been linked to hypertension and diabetes and so on being developed during pregnancy," said Ms. McNeil-Barrett. She went on to say that, in the past, most maternal deaths were caused by issues such as haemorrhaging. However, UNFPA has been witnessing a shift where NCDs are now the primary cause. Read in English: Jamaica Observer
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY: Opening of Al-Harazeen Maternal Hospital in Gaza
Multiple media outlets reported on 25 June on the official opening ceremony of one of UNFPA’s investments in Gaza “Hasan Al-Harazeen Maternal Hospital” funded by UNFPA in occupied Palestinian territory and implemented by UNDP/PAPP, with senior officials from the PA, UN sister agencies, and national partners present in this huge ceremony. “300 thousand inhabitants from the eastern part of the Gaza City alone will benefit from the services that Al-Harazeen Maternal Hospital will provide. The Hospital is already receiving patients, pregnant women where they can be treated with dignity and respect, and with excellent staff and medical equipment” Dr. Naem Sabra said. “Al-Shifa Hospital, located in the north of Gaza, is the only hospital where pregnant women can be referred, and receives 18 thousand delivery cases on a yearly basis, while Al-Harazeen Maternal Hospital will now reduce the heavy burden Al-Shifa Hospital is facing especially on the maternity ward.” Dr. Sabra continued. Read in Arabic: Safa
SUDAN: Orientation for Journalists on New Ways for Combating FGM
Al Sahafa reported on 25 June on a partnership between Teeba Press and UNFPA. The partners organized a two-day workshop for senior and middle media representatives. Twenty-three journalists representing more than 15 local media participated in the workshop. Lamya Badri, gender specialist with UNFPA Sudan, presented a paper on female genital mutilation/cutting prevalence in Sudan. According to 2010 figures, River Nile State in northern Sudan has the highest prevalence rate of 80 per cent while West Darfur State showed the lowest rate of 52 per cent. Social and psychological implications of early marriage were also discussed. One of the major workshop recommendations was reinforcing the leading role of the media in awareness-raising, together with that of the religious and community leaders. Read in Arabic: Al Sahafa
TIMOR-LESTE: JSMP Receive Donation of a Car from UNFPA
The Independente on 25 June reported that UNFPA gave the JSMP-VSS (Judicial System Monitoring Programme - Victim Support Service) a car to help them carry out their activities providing legal assistance to victims of domestic violence in rural areas. UNFPA Representative OIC Domingas Bernardo said that this car would help the VSS to carry out activities accompanying victims to the police, to prosecutors, the courts and safe shelters as they currently have no transport of their own. The Executive Director of JSMP VSS, Luis de Oliveira Sampaio said that this donation would help improve the quality and quantity of VSS services.
MOZAMBIQUE: Girls Diary Distributed in Nampula
Weekly Domingo reported on 24 June that the Girls Diary was launched in Nampula province and youngsters were happy to receive their copies. "I had a diary, but not as rich as this one. In this one I can record my personal stories and learn more about reproductive health, domestic violence and human rights," says Carolina Rufino, an 18-year-old student who received a diary. The report notes that the UNFPA-supported Geracao Biz Programme produced the diaries. Ms. Astrid Bant is quoted as saying, "Thanks to the Geracao Biz programme, we see encouraging signs of change in terms of gender equity among boys and girls, but we must continue working to end early pregnancies, forced marriages and curb the incidence of HIV."
DENMARK: 117 Million Girls Missing In Asia
Kristelig Dagblad published on 23 June an op-ed by UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin on sex selection, highlighting that gender discrimination begins before birth. The article talked about the socio-economical reasons that created a pressure on women to give birth to boys. Examples illustrating UNFPA's work in partnership with others to address the human rights, health and social aspects of sex selection were included. The article was earlier published in India's Tribune. Read in Dutch: Kristelig Dagblad
LEBANON: Council of Ministers Issues Preliminary Approval of National Women’s Strategy
The National News Agency reported on 22 June on the Council of Ministers’ preliminary approval of the National Strategy for Women in Lebanon. Earlier in April 2011, a participatory validation of the draft ten-year national women strategy, developed with the support of UNFPA, was led by the National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW), in partnership with civic society, governmental and public administrations as well as grassroots organizations.
The adoption of the updated national women strategy reflecting emerging needs and priorities would constitute a major step towards a change in policies and laws to effectively establish gender equality in Lebanon. In 2012, UNFPA will continue supporting NCLW for the elaboration of an action plan for the strategy. Read in Arabic: National News Agency
GHANA: Millions of Women Have Unmet Family Planning Needs
Ghana New Agency on 22 June reported on the release of a new study by the Guttmacher Institute and UNFPA, which found that the number of women in developing countries who do not want to get pregnant but are not using modern contraception declined minimally from 226 to 222 million between 2008 and 2012. Read in English: Ghana News Agency
YEMEN: UNFPA’s Support to End Fistula
Yemen Times on 21 June published an interview with UNFPA’s fistula surgeon, Dr. Geert Morren. In the interview, they mentioned the two fistula centers in Yemen supported by UNFPA. Read in English: Yemen Times
GEORGIA: Reproductive Health and Rights Seminar at Parliament for Members and Staffers
Multiple media outlets reported on 21 June that the United Nations Population Fund in Georgia, in partnership with the all-party MDG Group, the Healthcare and Social Issues Committee, and Center “Tanadgoma”, organized a seminar for members and staffers of the Parliament of Georgia on the topic of “Reproductive Health and Rights.”
Participants in the seminar were welcomed by Deputy Chairman Mr. Giorgi Tsereteli, Deputy Chairperson, Ms. Rusudan Kervalishvili, Chairperson of the Gender Equality Council, Mr. Otar Toidze, Chairman of the Healthcare and Social Issues Committee, and UNFPA Assistant Representative Ms. Tamar Khomasuridze. The participants discussed the sexual and reproductive health policy and the role of the Parliament of Georgia in advancing the reproductive health and rights of the population. The high level officials underlined the importance and effectiveness of UNFPA’s support to Georgia. First Lady of Georgia and Chairperson of the National Reproductive Health Council, Mrs. Sandra Elisabeth Roelofs, highlighted the priorities in the area of reproductive health and shared her suggestions and recommendations concerning further improvements to be achieved in this field.
The seminar was conducted within the framework of the UN Joint Programme “To Enhance Gender Equality in Georgia,” implemented by a close collaboration of the three UN agencies - United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Women’s Fund (UN Women), and UNFPA - through the generous support of the Swedish International Agency for Development (Sida). Read in English: Inter Press News Read in Georgian: Pirweli Watch in Georgian: My Video and GurjaaniTV