TURKMENISTAN: Meeting between UNFPA and Ministry of Foreign Affairs Held
Mfa.gov.tm on 4 May reported that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan held a meeting with UNFPA Regional Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Mr. Werner Haug. During the talks, the sides discussed issues of bilateral cooperation between Turkmenistan and UNFPA, in particular, Turkmenistan's participation in UNFPA activities related to the definition of the global development agenda beyond 2015. Read in Russian: Mfa.gov.tm
GEORGIA: Census 2014 Approaching
Georgia Today on 3 May reported that the National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat) and UNFPA, held a donors’ conference on 30 April regarding the Population Census 2014. As a UN member state, Georgia is involved in the 2010 round of censuses; and due to the fact that this round ends in 2014, at the beginning of 2012, the UN included Georgia in the list of countries, which for certain reasons, could not perform the overall Census of Population. On 2 April, the Government Commission for Coordination of Population Census, on its first session, approved the 2014 Georgian Population Census Program and announced the date – 5 to 19 November 2014. UNFPA Assistant Representative Tamar Khomasuridze is quoted saying, “A census is the most reliable primary source of information and takes stock of a country’s most important asset – human capital.” Read in English: Georgia Today and Inter Press Service. Watch in Georgian: 1TV, iMedi, Maestro. Read in Georgian: BPI and Media News
BELARUS: Photo Competition Announced
Belta.by on 3 May reported that UNFPA and the JV "Mobile TeleSystems" announced a family photo contest "Communicating generations" where pictures reflect true family values and common interests. The competition is organized with the aim of strengthening and promoting family values and building an understanding of the importance of family.Hopefully the photo competition and exhibition will draw attention to the importance of the conservation and development of family values" said UNFPA Coordinator, Ms. Tatiana Haplichnik. Read in Russian: Belta.by, Delovoyminsk, Palese and Mazyr
BELARUS: Directory Created to Assist Victims of Domestic Violence
Multiple media outlets on 3 May reported that Belarus has created a directory of state and public organizations that provide assistance to citizens experiencing domestic violence. The handbook was prepared by the Belarusian Association of Young Christian women as part of the international technical assistance project "Strengthening national capacity of the state to combat domestic violence in the Republic of Belarus," with financial and technical support from UNFPA, UNICEF and IOM, as well as financial support from the UN Trust Fund "Stop violence against women." Read in Russian: Gisp and Ostanovinasilie
ARMENIA: Sex Imbalances Threaten Demographics
Multiple media outlets on 2 May reported that the UNFPA Armenia Country Office presented the findings of the 2012-2013 “Sex Imbalances at Birth in Armenia: Demographic Evidence and Analysis” study. The purpose of the study was an in-depth analysis of sex-at-birth imbalances in Armenia and projecting the possible consequences of the skewed sex ratio for the country. According to the study, if the adverse practice of preventing girls from being born for the sake of having a boy is continued, almost 93,000 women will “go missing” and Armenia’s population will reduce by an additional 80,000 inhabitants. “If we fail to prevent this process, some men of the most active age in terms of entering marriage, 20-39 year olds, will relatively soon face problems, being unable to find a pair will be forced either to migrate or to look for wives from abroad,” said Garik Hayrapetyan, UNFPA Assistant Representative. Read in English: ArmRadio, Panorama, Arm Town, News.am and Tert.am Read in Russian: Panorama and Arm Town
UGANDA: Preparing for the Day of the Midwife
The Observer on 2 May reported on a press conference organized by the Uganda Ministry of Health and UNFPA in preparation for the International Day of the Midwife. UNFPA's Assistant Representative Dr. Wilfred Ochan was quoted. Read in English: The Observer
SWEDEN: Child Marriage Must End
On 1 May SvD Nyheter published an article on child marriages and UNFPA’s child marriage report. According to the article, millions of the world's brides are under 15, and UNFPA warns that there might be an exponential increase in child marriages in poor countries in the future. The article also mentions that UN Millennium Development Goal of reducing maternal and child mortality cannot be achieved without ending child marriages. Read in Swedish: SvD Nyheter
UZBEKISTAN: Tashkent to Host Seminar on Anniversary of ICPD
Multiple media outlets reported on 30 April that the Institute of Economics of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Republican Scientific and Practical Centre "Oila" with the support of UNFPA will organize a workshop to discuss issues related to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Uzbekistan. The workshop will address the issues of population, health, particularly reproductive and maternal health, empowerment of women, environmental protection and the fight against tuberculosis. Uzbekistan’s achievements in the implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action will also be discussed and further ways to deepen the progress in implementing recommendations to be identified. Read in Russian: UzDaily, News Mail and 12 News
EGYPT: UNFPA Award Winners Announced
Al Ahram on 30 April reported that an academic institution affiliated with the Al-Azhar University in Egypt and a public health advocate from Uganda announced yesterday as winners of the 2013 United Nations Population Award. The award is given annually to individuals and institutions for outstanding work in population and in improving public health.
SOUTH AFRICA: Helping Mothers With HIV/AIDS
The Mail & Guardian on 19 April reported that almost half of all maternal deaths in South Africa are a result of HIV-related complications. According to the UNFPA, as many as 310 in every 100000 pregnant women in South Africa died during pregnancy or childbirth in 2011. Read in English: The Mail & Guardian
EGYPT: Population Award Presented
Al Ahram on 30 April reported that Ugandan Dr. Gotham Mussenguza received the 2013 United Nations Population Award. Read in Arabic: Al Ahram
DENMARK: Funding Needed for N. Korea
U-landsnyt on 29 April published an article on the need for humanitarian aid in North Korea, highlighting that five major UN organizations (WFP, UNICEF, WHO, FAO and UNFPA) still lack 3/4 of what they appealed in 2013 to support North Korea. The funding is urgent for their work to meet the most critical and life-saving needs of the people of North Korea. Read in English: U-landsnyt
BURKINA FASO: Obstetric Fistula Success
Le Pays on 29 April reported that the project fighting against obstetric fistulas in the Sahel region, financed by UNFPA - Burkina, has achieved an estimated 89% success rate. The project, launched in 2008, has also provided financial support to more than 200 women.
AZERBAIJAN: UNFPA, Ombudsman Discuss Population Dynamics
Sia.az & Vesti.az on 27 April reported that Azerbaijani Ombudsman Elmira Suleymanova met with UN Resident Coordinator Brock Antonius and UNFPA Assistant Representative Farid Babaev, to discuss issues of population and development. The meeting was also attended by officials and representatives of non-governmental and international organizations. The outcome of the discussions was the adoption of a number of recommendations on the progress made in reproductive health, population dynamics, aging, internal migration and gender barriers to emerging and existing problems. Read in English: Sia.az Read in Russian: Vesti.az
BELARUS: The Domestic Violence Situation in Brest
Multiple media on 26 April published materials on a research presentation on the domestic violence situation in the Brest region. UNFPA’s Galina Desyatkova is mentioned in the article. Read in Russian: B-G.by, Kamenec
TURKMENISTAN: Workshop Held for Media
E-newspaper Turkmenistan on 26 April reported that UNFPA and Youth Organization of Turkmenistan, Magtymguly (YO), organized a 3-day workshop for media workers on promoting healthy youth lifestyles, including adolescent reproductive health, in the national mass media. More than 20 representatives from print, electronic media, radio and TV, as well as youth volunteers and the national specialist on youth issues, participated in the workshop. Ms. Stela Serghiuta, UNFPA international consultant, was invited to conduct the workshop. Read in Russian: Turkmenistan
BURKINA FASO: Working On Maternal Health
BELARUS: Contest for Best Publication on Gender Issues
Multiple media on 25 April published information about the UNFPA contest for the best journalistic publication on gender issues. Read in Russian: Belta.by, Buj.by
DENMARK: Planning Cooperation with UN Organizations
U-landsnyt on 24 April published an interview with the Danish Minister for Development Cooperation Christian Friis Bach about his visit to New York to discuss Danish cooperation with the major UN organizations. The Minister plans to allow for larger core contributions for UN organizations in return for more influence on their overall strategies. UNFPA is mentioned as one of the four UN agencies which is positive to Denmark’s plan. Read in Danish: U-landsnyt
EASTERN EUROPE & CENTRAL ASIA REGION: ASTRA Member Attends UNFPA’s Thematic Meeting
Astra reported on 23 April that ASTRA member Milena Kadieva participated in the 2nd Thematic Meeting "Inequalities, Social Inclusion and Rights” which was held in Belgrade, Serbia on 15-16 April and jointly organized by UNFPA and UNECE. The meeting feeds into the ICPD Beyond 2014 Review Process in the UNECE region which will be finalised on 1-2 July at the Regional Conference “Enabling choices: Population priorities for the 21st century." Read in English: Astra
UZBEKISTAN: Maternal and Child Health Discussed
Multiple media outlets on 23 April reported that Tashkent hosted a round table on "Social initiatives in the area of safe motherhood and childhood" organized by the Social Initiatives Support Fund, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan and UNFPA. This project covers all regions of the Republic of Uzbekistan with over 1.2million beneficiaries. More than 27,000 training seminars have been conducted and about 600,000 copies of the relevant material printed and distributed. Karl Kulessa, UNFPA Representative in Uzbekistan, said that in other countries it is more difficult to discuss some of the issues in the field of maternal and child health at the national level. In Uzbekistan, UNFPA is working in partnership with the government and civil society organizations, and is producing positive results. Read in Russian: UzDaily, Minzdrav, UzReport, Adolat, Naesmi
KAZAKHSTAN: Fulfilling the Potential of Youth
Nevoproz on 23 April interviewed UNFPA National Programme Associate Ms. Yuliya Lyssenkova and UNFPA Youth Programme Specialist Ms. Marija Vasileva-Blazev. The UNFPA experts offered insight into the challenges faced by Kazakh youth today and described some innovative Y-PEER approaches across the region. “I believe that the more we invest, support, train and give opportunities for the development of young people, the more positive results we see in the future for the community, the country and the region as a whole” said Ms. Vasileva-Blazev. Read in Russian: Nevoproz and Nevoproz
UKRAINE: A Total Marketing Approach to Ensure Universal Access to Contraceptives
Multiple media outlets on 23 April reported on a 3-day meeting, jointly organized by PATH International and UNFPA on the total marketing approach. The meeting brought together over 55 participants from Eastern Europe and Central Asia representing governments, civil society and UNPFA country office staff. Implementing a total marketing approach helps to ensure universal and sustainable access to modern contraceptive methods and products for reproductive health. “The total marketing approach is based on partnership and shared responsibility of the public and private sectors and means that the government must play a leadership role in creating an enabling environment” said Nuzhat Ehsan, UNFPA Representative for Ukraine. Read in Russian: Ru.TSN, Izvestia, DFact, Vsekommentarii, Chernivtsi
BELARUS: Resource Kit for Gender-ethical Journalism Translated Into Russian
WACC on 23 April reported that, according to UNPFA Communication/Advocacy Assistant Paulina Ivanko, UNFPA in Belarus is translating into Russian the Resource Kit for Gender-Ethical Journalism published by WACC and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), for students and teachers of Journalism at Belarusian Universities. "We want to provide our nationals with modern and sound information on gender and therefore give them the choice to decide whether they share the idea of gender equality or treat it with reserve. In this regard it's critical for journalists, university students and professors of the departments of journalism to understand 'gender' and write about it in an educated manner, to avoid simplification, as the media is the main instrument to form public opinion and to change situations for the better," explained Ms. Ivanko. Read in English: WACC
KAZAKHSTAN: Startling Statistics on Suicide and Abortions
Nevoproz.kz on 23 April used statistical data provided by UNFPA to draw attention to alarming statistics regarding suicides as well as abortions, both worldwide and within Kazakhstan. Read in Russian: Nevoproz and Nevoproz
KAZAKHSTAN: Improving Access to Quality SRH
Parlam.kz and Nomad.su on 23 April reported that the country is working in close collaboration with UNFPA on projects aimed to improve the access of young women and men to high quality sexual and reproductive health including prevention of HIV transmission. UNFPA attended a meeting with members of the Social Council of the ruling People Democratic Party Nur Otan Parliament faction to discuss issues such as gender-based violence, reproductive health and rights and family planning. UNFPA contributed to recommendations on how to make legislation and practices of applying the law more conducive to ICPD commitments. Read in Russian: Parlam.kz and Nomad.su
MOZAMBIQUE: UNFPA Donates Ambulances
UN Radio, O País, and A Verdade reported on 23 April, that the Minister of Health, Dr. Alexandre Manguele, received five ambulances in support of the country 's efforts to improve reproductive health in the Zambézia province in central Mozambique. Reports say that the vehicles were purchased by UNFPA with funds provided to the UN system by Canada. Read in Spanish: UN Radio and A Verdade
BOLIVIA: Maternal Health Improving
Multiple media outlets on 22 April reported that the traditions of indigenous midwives remains in rural Andean Bolivia while in the east pregnant woman are seeking occidental medical care. William Michel, UNFPA's consultant in sexual and reproductive health and maternal health, said that in recent years health care to pregnant women in Bolivia increased from 60% to 70%. Read in Spanish: Los Tiempos, Nuevo Herald (US), Terra Peru
UNITED KINGDOM: UNFPA’s Women’s Space Featured in Paper’s Photo Gallery
The Guardian on 22 April published a photo gallery of Jordan's Zaatari refugee camp which houses more than 100,000 Syrians who have fled the civil war. 3,000 of those registered are pregnant. The gallery included a photo of a UNFPA-run women's space which offers counselling and activities to support women deal with issues affecting them in the camps such as gender-based violence. Read in English: The Guardian
BOLIVIA: Delegation Prepares for UN Indigenous Permanent Forum
Correo del Sur on 21 April reported that social and indigenous organizations met at the Foreign Ministry with the aim of preparing the Bolivian delegation to participate in the XII UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, which will take place from 20-31 May. "It is a preparatory session for the Bolivian delegation to the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the Forum basically gives opportunity for indigenous peoples of the world, to discuss issues concerning their needs, their development, their demands, "said Jaime Nadal, UNFPA Representative in Bolivia. Read in Spanish: Correo del Sur