BURKINA FASO: Pan-African Congress to Fight Obstetric Fistula
Sidwaya on 20 June reported on the organization of a Pan-African Congress to fight against obstetric fistula. The meeting will be from 6-8 September in Ouagadougou in partnership with UNFPA and the NGO Equilibre et populations. The Prime Minister of Burkina Faso will chair the meeting. It will bring together over 200 participants and provide an opportunity for several experts and resource persons from Africa, Europe and America to reflect on ways to improve the fight against fistula.
MADAGASCAR: Using SMS to Prevent Maternal Deaths
Multiple media outlets reported on 20-21 June that the Ministry of Public Health, UNFPA Madagascar and TELMA (Malagasy Telecommunications Company) via its Foundation launched the Short Message Service (SMS) project to curb maternal mortality. This project will be implemented in four rural districts. The objective of this two-year project is to use SMS for the monitoring of maternal and neonatal mortality as well as the stock level of essential reproductive medicines and contraceptives. Using SMS can provide rapid and appropriate response to maternal and neonatal deaths. A designated person will send all SMS to the central Ministry of Public Health immediately after each death and every month for reproductive health commodities. Read in French: Midi Madagasikara, La Gazette, newsmada and Africareview
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY: Maternal Mortality Workshop in Qalqilya
PANET on 20 June reported on the maternal mortality workshop held under the patronage of the Palestinian Medical Relief Committee and funded by UNFPA. Dr. Khadeja Jarrar, in her speech and detailed presentation, underlined the importace of the partnership between the health sector and the civil society institutions, basing her argument from the human rights perspective. She also presented facts and figures on maternal mortality worldwide and in Palestine, its impact, the challenges to reducing maternal mortality in Palestine, and, most importantly, raising women’s awareness of the importance of pre and post natal care. Read in Arabic: PANET
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY: Refined Honour Killing Law
PANET on 20 June reported on a refined law against honour killings endorsed by President Mahmoud Abbas – Abu Mazen. Gaza has recently witnessed a number of honour killings, some of which occurred because of weak legal consequences. A discussion was held between 20 institutions working under the Culture and Free Thought Association, through a project that is funded by UNFPA. Participants welcomed this positive step from Abu Mazen. “There is a dire need to work harder to ensure the implementation of Presidential Decree and advocate and put pressure towards a final and just decision to be taken by the Legislative Council against honour killings,” Osama Abueita, UNFPA Coordinator in Gaza, said. “Institutions should organize awareness campaigns on violence against women with the community, define penal law, and work for the provision of protection systems for battered women,” he continued. Read in Arabic: PANET