AUSTRALIA: Gender-based Violence Training Held
PNG Post-Courier on 31 August reported on a workshop organized by the National Department of Health in partnership with Consultative Implementation and Monitoring Council's Family and Sexual Violence Action Committee, the Sexual Offence Squad of the Police Department and UNFPA. The five-day workshop for trained 16 health workers on gender-based violence issues, how to approach victims and how to empower their community to address this issue.
PHILIPPINES: MOU Signed with Indonesia
Philippines Daily Inquirer on 31 August reported on the signing of a memorandum of understanding for the South-South Cooperation Initiative. The initiative involves the sharing and exchange of training between the BKkbN, the family planning and reproductive health agency of Indonesia, and its counterpart, the Population Commission (Popcom) in the Philippines. The Initiative is aimed mostly at the Autonomous Region in Muslin Mindanao where maternal and child death rates were the nations highest in 2008. Ugochi Daniels, the UNFPA representative in Manila, noted that the signing of the agreement "is just the beginning of a journey." But while she stressed that Popcom and the BKkbN are "in the driver's seat," she assured them that "you will have many passengers supporting you all the way."
UGANDA: Female Legislators Want Informed Debate
The Observer on 31 August reported that women legislators from southern and eastern Africa want their parliaments to have more informed debate on maternal and child health. UNFPA data is cited in the article saying, “at least 200 million women in Africa want to use safe and effective planning methods but are unable because of inadequate information and services and the support of their husbands and communities. In addition, more than 50 million of the estimated 190 million women who become pregnant each year have abortions under unsafe conditions.”
ZIMBABWE: Census Runs Into Snag
The Herald on 31 August reported that the government is delaying paying its census workers. Population Census Director Washington Mapeta said payments have stalled because of inadequate funds. The US$12 million provided by UNFPA was not for salary but for, “material needed and other expenses that need to be covered for the process to be complete," he said.
NIGERIA: Government Appeals for State Involvement
This Day on 31 August reported that the government has approved $11.5 million for family planning commodities, such as condoms and implants, in Nigeria. The Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Bridget Okoeguale appealed to the states at the 47th National Council Meeting of the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria saying, "For now, our maternal mortality rate is 545 per 100,000 live births and you will agree with me that it is very high and nothing to be proud of. We have been joining our very good development partners, namely: UNFPA, DFID, USIS, USAID and some other partners…We are appealing to states to key in because health is on the concurrent list. The Federal Government has a plan and policy but we cannot force states to key in. We can only advocate for them; they make requests to us as regards what they need but it is for them to ensure that these commodities reach the grassroots…For now, the partners are also supporting us with transport and other logistics especially getting the commodities to the rural and riverine areas. But for how long?”
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY: Football Match to Affirm Gender Equality and Women Empowerment
Multiple media outlets reported on 31 August on the football match held between two female teams, Al-Ru’a and Al-Diyar, which took place on 30 August in the presence of H.E. Ms. Rabiha Diab, Minister of Women’s Affairs, Mr. Jibreel Rjoub, Secretary General of Higher Council for Youth and Sports, and Ms. Barbara Piazza-Georgi, UNFPA Representative, as well as staff of sister UN agencies and their family members. The football match was held under the MDG-F Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Programme that is funded by the Government of Spain and a joint initiative implemented by six UN agencies. “Having 18 female football teams in Palestine echoes the gender equality and the just Palestinian society” Mr. Rjoub said. “The Executive Office of the Football Association will include three female members, a confirmation that the formulation of youth and sports frameworks gives women equal opportunities” he continued. “Both the vision and the strategy of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs is gender mainstreaming in all walks of life, including sports, including football, that sends a message to the world at large of the sacrifices and the important role of the Palestinian women” H.E. Ms. Diab said.
“The purpose of the football match is to raise awareness in achieving gender equality and empower women socially, politically and economically” Mr. Hanna Nakhleh, MDG Programme Manager said. “This is an effort to change stereotypes about the role of women by highlighting the success in having a female football team, at a time when this game was restricted to males” he continued. Read in Arabic: alqudspage27 alquds newspaper maan news panet Al-ayyam WAFA Alhayat Al-jadeedah PNN
UGANDA: Women MPs United Against Child Deaths
The Observer reported on 31 August that, "Women legislators from southern and eastern Africa want their parliaments to improve the debate on maternal and child health. Meeting in Kampala this week during the Southern and East African Parliamentary Alliance of Committees of Health (SEAPACOH) assembly, the MPs said they specifically wanted the country’s budgets to be informed by the debates on maternal and child health. The meeting brought together MPs from Uganda, Ethiopia, Ghana, Botswana, Mali, Nigeria, Namibia and Malawi...According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), at least 200 million women want to use safe and effective planning methods but are unable because of inadequate information and services and the support of their husbands and communities. In addition, more than 50 million of the estimated 190 million women who become pregnant each year have abortions under unsafe conditions." Read in English: The Observer
TIMOR-LESTE: Task Force Created to Improve Midwifery and Maternal Health
The Suara Timor Lorosae on 31 August reported on the establishment of a national task force to improve midwifery and maternal health. The task force was announced after a high level meeting in the Instituto Nacional de Saude. Key policy makers and stakeholders gathered to discuss the strengthening of midwifery in Timor-Leste in order to improve the quality of healthcare given to mothers, newborns, and families. The President of Parliamentary Commission F of the National Parliament, Sr. Virigilio da Costa Hornai, Vice-President of Parliamentary Commission F Eduardo Barreto de Deus, Parliamentary Commission F members Eladio Faculto and Leonel Marcal and representatives from UNFPA, WHO, UNICEF, and APTL members (Associaçao das Parteiras de Timor Leste) attended yesterday’s meeting.
n a national task force meeting to improve maternal health and strengthen midwifery.
BELARUS: UNDP Helps Farmers Develop Agricultural Cooperation
BelTA reported on 31 August on the implementation of the project "Enhancing Human Security in the Chernobyl Affected Areas of Belarus." Visitors learned about the results of agricultural initiatives aimed at the implementation of new technologies and group interaction. UNFPA is mentioned as the partner of the project. UN Resident-Coordinator / UNDP Representative (and UNFPA Representative as well) Antonius Broek is sited, “It is highly important to summarize and distribute experience gained in other regions of Belarus. Local producers have a high potential… and can increase income.” Read in Russian: belta.by.
CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE: Saving Indigenous Women’s Lives
Les Depeches de Brazzaville published on 31 August an op-ed by UNFPA Representative David Lawson on the acceleration of the implementation of the groundbreaking law on the protection and promotion of indigenous peoples of Congo, issued by President Sassou Nguesso in 2011. UNFPA financed the pre-project of decrees of implementation of this law, which were approved in July 2012. Mr. Lawson argues that immediate measures should be adopted in order to save indigenous peoples lives, including women's lives from maternal mortality and infectious diseases. He stresses the responsibility of the Congolese
government in front of the international community and indigenous peoples
in Congo and worldwide, as the Congolese Government will be hosting the
next UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in February 2013. Read in French (page 6): Les Depeches de Brazzaville
GERMANY: Gender Imbalance in Asia
Deutsche Welle World on 30 August reported that a new UNFPA report warned that “gender selection practices were increasing globally, with estimates of a gender gap of 117 million women ‘missing’ largely in China and India. The selection of boy children - who in many cultures are viewed more ‘valuable’ than girls - has been facilitated by improved medical ultrasound technology and official policies limiting the size of families. The UNFPA forecasts that by 2030, China and India will have 50 percent more men than women of marriageable age.”
ZIMBABWE: Census Workers to Be Paid
The Herald on 30 August reported that UNFPA released US$12 million towards paying enumerators who aided in finishing up the census process.
UGANDA: Clean Up A Part of Youth Festival
Youth Journalism International online reported on 30 August that, "with music, games, projects and other activities, young people here celebrated the second annual youth festival from 25 to 26 August. Organized by Open Space Centre, with support from UNFPA and other partners, the event focused on employment and kicked off by cleaning part of the slum of Kisenyi. Young people at the event expressed dissatisfaction on the proposed youth fund by the government of Uganda that has failed to cater to the needs of the youth who wish to start their businesses. They said banks ask them for collateral securities which youth don’t have and called on the national government to revise the policy so youth can more easily access funds for small business projects. The festival also included crucial free counseling, testing for HIV and AIDS and guidance for youth on issues regarding sexual reproductive health by the Red Cross, Reproductive Health Uganda and the United Nations Population Fund." Read in English: Youth Journalism International
UGANDA: First Lady Gives Tips on Reproductive Health
The New Vision on 30 August reported that Uganda's First Lady Janet Museveni, urged governments to act urgently on issues of maternal and reproductive health. She said this will prevent mothers and children, especially those in rural areas, from dying. Mrs Museveni was opening the fifth regional meeting of the alliance of southern and eastern Africa parliamentary committees of health held in Kampala. She noted that although African countries know there are gaps in health delivery, “our policies and strategies are always either inadequate or those that are good remain unimplemented.” "I am emphasizing that our discussions should become more practical and cutting edge to cause governments and those holding responsibility to do things differently and with a senses of urgency," Mrs Museveni said.
According to the United Nations Population Fund, 200 million women worldwide want to use safe and effective family planning methods. However they are not able to do so because they lack access to information and services or the support of their husbands and communities. "Our agenda on family planning is , therefore informed by the concern that many mothers are still dying at a disturbing rate simply because they cannot afford the basic life-servicing services they need," said Janet Jackson the UNFPA Country Representative. Read in English: New Vision
COMOROS: Community Committed to Health
Alwatwan on 30 August reported that Mrs. Agathe Lawson, the UNFPA Country Director for Comoros, Seychelles and Mauritius, is visiting the Comoros for a first contact and needs assessment and expressed that she was impressed by the contribution of the community to improve the population's health conditions. "Across all health centers we visited, there is a very conscious staff to support the population and these are things we do not see everywhere," she said. "This is evidence that UNFPA and the United Nations over the years, are getting the support of the population in some areas. I think we can do even more and this is one of the recommendations for further support of the population."
GUATEMALA: Teen Pregnancy and Sexual Violence Prevention
Reportaje De, La Hora and CERIGUA reported on 30 August, on the inauguration of the regional meeting South-South cooperation on teen pregnancy prevention and sexual violence. Virginia Camacho, Regional Advisor on Reproductive Health UNFPA, noted that the most successful strategies for prevention of teenage pregnancy are focused on addressing early pregnancy from different areas, such as education, information on sexuality in the entire cycle and reproductive health education. Read in Spanish: Reportaje De, La Hora, CERIGUA,
PARAGUAY: Communicators Were Informed About Census
Viva Paraguay reported on 30 August that over forty Villarrica communicators and other districts Guairá departments received extensive information about the operation of the country's most important statistic. The meeting was convened jointly by the Department of Statistics, Surveys and Censuses (DGEEC) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The event featured the outstanding support of the Union of Journalists of Paraguay Villarrica subsidiary. Read in Spanish: Viva Paraguay
MYANMAR: UNFPA Executive Director Visits
Multiple media outlets, including the Myanmar Times, the New Light of Myanmar, and Mizzima, from 28 August to 5 September, reported on the three-day visit of UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin. During his visit to the country, Babatunde Osotimehin met with President U Thein and several government ministers. Dr. Osotimehin also attended the formal opening of the Library and Information Centre of the Pyithu Hluttaw Social Develpment Committee. During his visit, he was expected to discuss UNFPA's assistance programme from 2012 to 2015, rural development and poverty alleviation projects, efforts to improve access to maternal health and birth spacing services and a national census planned for 2014.
GHANA: UNFPA and Police Partner to Fight HIV Stigma
The Daily Graphic on 28 August reported on various activities UNFPA has undertaken with the police department to reduce the HIV stigma and female sex worker (FSW) rights abuses. These activities included the commission of a study to establish the existence of human rights abuses of FSWs and identify and assess the extent of abuses by police on FSWs, and the promotion of regular interaction between FSWs, police personnel and other human rights institutions to strengthen education and facilitate reportage of human rights abuses of FSWs.
INDIA: Women’s Empowerment Programme Lauded
United News of India on 28 August reported that UNFPA’s Fredrica Meijer commended the women’s welfare programmes being conducted in Madhya Pradesh.
UZBEKISTAN: New Joint Project Launched
The Uz Report on 28 August reported on the launch of the "Ensuring the Livelihoods of People Affected by the Crisis in the Aral Sea" project. UNPFA is a partner in the project. Read in Russian: Uz Report
NIGERIA: Increase Investements in Youth
The Guardian reported on 28 August that according to UNFPA, "with the right investments, young people can reach their full potential as individuals, leaders and agents of progress and Nigeria as a nation clearly needs their energy, their participation and their skills for development." Read in English: The Guardian
BRAZIL: IBGE Holds Knowledge-Transfer Seminar on Census
Agencia Brasil and other outlets reported on 28 August that IBGE, the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics and UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, are promoting an international seminar in Rio de Janeiro with support from the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aimed at sharing experiences on demographics and census with 10 African and Latin American countries. It includes census experiences with countries in emergency or post-crisis situations. For the UNFPA Representative in Brazil, Harold Robinson, the IBGE census is at the forefront of methodologies and technologies application that can help census surveys in other nations. "The Brazilian census has much legitimacy as the country is very complex. Moreover, IBGE is a worldwide reference and has a tradition of sharing knowledge with developing countries for many years." Read in Portuguese: Agencia Brasil, Terra Portal, ESP Brasil
ZIMBABWE: Population Census Ends
The Herald on 28 August reported that according to Minister Biti, the United Nations Population Fund released US$12 million towards the completion of the census process. He urged donors to continue supporting the programme until its completion. The population census was marred by disturbances upon its launch when thousands of prospective enumerators wishing to take part in the process jostled at various centre’s countrywide. Read in English: The Herald
VIET NAM: New Collaborations in Two Provinces
Multiple media outlets reported on 28 August on new collaborations in Hai Duong and Ben Tre provinces on preventing domestic violence, addressing sex ratio at birth (SRB) imbalance and promoting care for the elderly. Technical assistance was provided by UNFPA. UNFPA Deputy Representative in Viet Nam Mandeep K. O’Brien applauded Viet Nam’s impressive achievements in socio-economic development and effective international integration. However, a number of challenges were emerging, including domestic violence, an imbalanced SRB and an ageing population, which required effective government measures, she noted.
The General Statistics Office (GSO) shows that a large proportion of women still suffer from domestic violence, with 34 per cent of married women reporting that they have suffered physical or sexual abuse by their husbands at some time in their lives. Meanwhile, the rapid SRB disparity rise is a major challenge. Viet Nam’s SRB has risen from 106.2 boys per 100 girls in 2000 to 111.9 boys per 100 girls in 2011 and it may even exceed 115 in the next few years. If this trend is not reversed, there will be a 10 per cent or more surplus of adult men in the population by 2035. The rapidly ageing population also creates new pressures on the country’s socio-economic development. Older people, especially those who live in rural and remote areas, lack access to proper health care and other social services.
This collaboration, which is part of the One Plan 2012-2016, aims to strengthen the capacity of the provincial officials to address these challenges and develop intervention models to replicate in other provinces and nationwide. This project will concentrate on Focus Area Two under the One Plan: Access to Quality Essential Services and Social Protection, and play a key role in preventing domestic violence, addressing the SRB imbalance and promoting better care for the elderly in Viet Nam. “It is now time for action and to enforce policies, laws and strategies for gender equality and care for the elderly, particularly at the sub-national level,” said O’Brien. Read in English: Nhan Dan (the Peoples) and Viet Nam Plus Read in Vietnamese: Dang Cong San, Tin tuc and Dai Doan Ket
PARAGUAY: Journalists Debate Census
Multiple media reported on 28 August that UNFPA organized a meeting with journalists in the city of Villarrica to share details on the National Census of Population and Housing to be held in October. This tour, which will take place in various cities of Paraguay, is part of the technical support provided to the Department of Statistics, Surveys and Censuses by UNFPA. Read in Spanish: Ultima Hora, La Nación.
CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE: The Gender Parity Law
La Semaine africaine published on 28 August an op-ed by UNFPA Representative David Lawson on the soon-to be adopted draft gender parity law to which UNFPA contributed greatly. Mr. Lawson underlined that while progress has been made on gender equality worldwide, it is only through legal means and men's involvement in support of women's rights that gender parity can be achieved. He praised the Congo government for its commitment to this issue, making Congo the first African country with an absolute parity law to elective, administrative and political decision making positions. He said, "Through such a law, it is one of the last inacceptable oppressive situations on over half of the population that will be lifted for a just and modern society." Read in French (page 15): La Semaine africaine
LEBANON: Response to Syrian Refugee Crisis
Multiple media outlets reported on 27 August on the UN humanitarian response to the Syrian refugees’ crisis. UNFPA’s distribution of sanitary pads for women and girls refugees was mentioned. Read in Arabic: Lebanon Files, Tayyar, National News Agency, Moheet
BELARUS: Urbanization Increase
tut.by on 27 August reported that 75% of the population is now urbanized making it the most urbanized country in the former USSR. According to information from the UNFPA’s resource centre, Minsk is expanding, basically, because of young people - more than 80% of migrants are aged between 15 and 19. Read in Russian: tut.by
GAMBIA: Training for Media Concludes
The Daily Observer on 27 August reported that more than 20 media, from both print and electronic media, concluded a five-day training on Comprehensive Condom Programming, organised by the Reproductive and Child Health unit of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. UNFPA’s National Commodity Security Coordinator said the role of the media is especially crucial to information dissemination on commodity security, and that the major challenge is to reduce maternal mortality.