World Population Day- 11 July 2009

The 20th World Population Day will be celebrated on 11 July with focus on women and the economic crisis, with the theme “Fight Poverty: Educate Girls: Investing in Women is a Smart Choice.”

Partners in Population and Development Africa Regional Office (PPD ARO) celebrates World Population Day with PPD member countries and calls on all donor and developing countries to fulfill their promises to women.

In these times of global economic crisis, our families, communities and nation face increasingly difficult decisions about how to spend scarce financial resources. We hear dismal statistics repeated in the newspapers and online: the economy of developed countries (measured by GDP) is predicted to fall 4.5% in 2009 and world trade will fall nearly 10%. It is widely known that donor countries’ official development aid (ODA) is reduced when their economies face turmoil.

What started as a financial issue of the US and Europe is now clearly a global crisis that is hitting Africa hard. It is already affecting our progress toward reducing poverty. Developing countries are negatively impacted in the economic crisis because of our reliance on remittances from family overseas and official development aid (ODA) for national budget support.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Executive Director, Thoraya Ahmed Obaid underscores that during these times of global economic crisis, decision-makers have to increase resources for reproductive health, including family planning. "We can make greater progress for women and families. There is no smarter investment, with such high economics and social returns, than investing in the health and rights of adolescent girl and women."

And the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon stated that “investing in women’s health, especially reproductive health, can not only save the lives of half a million mothers, but also unleash an estimated $15 billion in productivity each year. . . Together, let us advance the rights of women and girls, and empower them as highly productive members of society capable of contributing to economic recovery and growth. There can be no better investment on this day or any other.”

For more information and resources, please see http://www.unfpa.org/wpd/2009/en/


Combattez la Pauvrete: Eduquez vos Filles
Investir dans les femmes est un choix avise
Nul ne sait encore quelle ampleur atteindra la présente crise économique mondiale. Nous savons que les femmes et les enfants des pays en développement supporteront le plus gros de son impact. Ce qui a commencé comme une crise financière dans les pays riches s'élargit maintenant en une crise économique mondiale qui frappe durement les pays en développement. Elle affecte déjà les progrès réalisés vers la réduction de la pauvreté.

Les politiques décidées en réponse à la crise qui s'inspirent du rôle des femmes en tant qu'agents économiques peuvent faire beaucoup pour atténuer les effets de la crise sur le développement, surtout parce que les femmes, plus que les hommes, investissent leurs gains dans la santé et l'éducation de leurs enfants. Il faut investir dans la santé publique, l'éducation, les soins aux enfants et les autres services sociaux. Cela atténue l'impact de la crise sur la famille entière et augmente la productivité au profit d'une économie plus saine.

Protéger les avancées réalisées
Les investissements dans l'éducation et la santé des femmes et des filles ont été liés à des augmentations de la productivité, des rendements agricoles et du revenu national — qui tous contribuent à la réalisation des OMD. Les investissements de cette nature faits par les gouvernements dans le monde entier ont augmenté les taux d'inscription scolaire, diminué l'écart entre les sexes dans l'éducation, apporté aux personnes atteintes du sida des médicaments qui les sauvent, étendu la prévention du VIH, fourni des moustiquaires pour prévenir le paludisme et amélioré la santé infantile grâce à l'immunisation.

Pour plus d'informations et de ressources, s'il vous plaît voir http://www.unfpa.org/wpd/2009/fr/index.html

Parliamentarians Urge G8 Leaders not to Reduce ODA Levels

G8 Parliamentarians' Conference Urges G8 Leaders not to Reduce ODA Levels in Light of the Economic Crisis and to Deliver on Commitments in Women’s and Girl's Health

Two weeks before the G8 Summit in L' Aquila, Italy, more than 100 Parliamentarians, representatives and experts of International Organisations and civil society organisations participated in the fifth annual G8 Parliamentarians' Conference, entitled 'Strategic Investments in Times of Crisis – The Rewards of Making Women's Health a Priority', in Rome from June 22nd to 23rd 2009.

The conference was hosted by the Italian Parliamentary Working Group on Global Health and Women's Rights and organised by GCAP Italy, Action Aid, the Italian Association for Women in Development (AIDOS), the German Foundation for World Population (DSW) and the European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development (EPF) in co-operation with Action Canada for Population and Development (ACPD), the Asian Population and Development Association (APDA) and Interact Worldwide.

The Conference provided an unique opportunity for the Parliamentarians present to interact and strategise on meeting G8 commitments with fellow devoted Parliamentarians from around the world, as well as Government representatives and international organisations such as UNFPA, WHO, IPPF, Population Council and the International Women’s Health Coalition (IWHC).

Parliamentarians agreed that now is the time to act through strong, well focused and effective programs, that donor as well as recipient governments alike have a shared responsibility for reaching the MDGs with donor governments to create clear objectives, timelines and resources and for the recipient countries to put in place effective measures that will ensure the transparent and effective use of development aid.

The parliamentarians concluded with a very strong and forward-looking statement, entitled the 'Parliamentary Appeal to G8 Heads of State and Government' which will be delivered to the G8 Heads of State and Government. The declaration amongst others calls upon the G8 Heads of State not to reduce ODA levels in light of the economic crisis and to reaffirm existing commitments to fund US$ 60 Billion through Official Development Assistance for addressing the health-related needs in development countries over five years including support for health systems strengthening and efforts to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and malaria based on concrete action plans and clear timetables, to invest in maternal and infant health as being the most cost-effective way to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, and to promote gender equality by enacting development policies which protect young girls and their rights, educate young girls and boys, empower women and involve men in becoming active participants in the above.

To read the final appeal click here.

Source: Project RMA Monthly Update. To read past issues and subscribe, go to: http://www.rhsupplies.org/news_events/supplynews.html
Project RMA credits: GCAP Italy, Action Aid, AIDOS, DSW and EPF, ACPD, APDA and Interact Worldwide.


Parlementaires Exhorter les dirigeants du G8 de ne pas réduire les niveaux de l'APD- G8 Conférence parlementaire invite instamment les dirigeants du G8 de ne pas réduire les niveaux de l'APD à la lumière de la crise économique et le respect des engagements de femmes et filles de la santé

Deux semaines avant le Sommet du G8 à L 'Aquila, Italie, plus de 100 parlementaires, les représentants et les experts des organisations internationales et organisations de la société civile ont participé à la cinquième édition annuelle du G8 Conférence parlementaire, intitulé «Investissements stratégiques en temps de crise - Les primes de Faire de la santé des femmes une priorité », à Rome, du 22e au 23 Juin 2009.

La conférence a été organisée par le Groupe de travail parlementaire italienne sur la santé mondiale et les droits des femmes et organisé par l'AMCP en Italie, Action Aid, l'Association italienne pour les femmes dans le développement (AIDOS), la Fondation allemande pour la population mondiale (DSW) et le Forum parlementaire européen sur la population et le développement (EPF), en collaboration avec Action Canada pour la population et le développement (ACPD), l'Asie et l'Association pour le développement de la population (APDA) et Interact Worldwide.

La conférence a fourni une occasion unique pour les parlementaires présents à interagir et à une stratégie sur la réunion du G8 avec des engagements consacrés parlementaires du monde entier, ainsi que des représentants du gouvernement et des organisations internationales comme le FNUAP, l'OMS, l'IPPF, Population Council et l'International Women's Health Coalition (Coalition).

Les parlementaires ont convenu que le moment est venu d'agir par le biais de solides, bien ciblée et efficace des programmes, que les donateurs ainsi que les gouvernements bénéficiaires ont une responsabilité partagée pour atteindre les OMD avec les gouvernements donateurs à créer des objectifs clairs, des échéances et des ressources et pour les pays bénéficiaires de mettre en place des mesures efficaces qui assureront la transparence et l'efficacité de l'utilisation de l'aide au développement.

Les parlementaires ont conclu à une très forte et des déclarations prospectives, intitulé «Appel aux parlementaires du G8 des chefs d'État et de gouvernement", qui sera livré au G8 des chefs d'État et de gouvernement. La déclaration, entre autres, invite les chefs d'État du G8 de ne pas réduire les niveaux de l'APD, à la lumière de la crise économique et de réaffirmer les engagements de fonds de US $ 60 milliards par le biais de l'aide publique au développement pour répondre aux besoins liés à la santé dans les pays en développement sur cinq ans y compris le soutien pour les systèmes de santé et de renforcer les efforts de lutte contre le sida, la tuberculose et le paludisme basé sur des plans d'action concrets et des calendriers précis, à investir dans la santé maternelle et infantile comme étant la plus rentable d'atteindre les Objectifs de développement du Millénaire, et à promouvoir l'égalité des sexes l'égalité en adoptant des politiques de développement qui protège les jeunes filles et de leurs droits, éduquer les jeunes filles et les garçons, l'autonomisation des femmes et des hommes à devenir des participants actifs à la ci-dessus.

Pour lire l'appel final, cliquez ici.

Source: Projet de mise à jour mensuelle RMA. Pour lire les numéros précédents et vous abonner, allez à: http://www.rhsupplies.org/news_events/supplynews.html
Projet RMA crédits: GCAP Italie, Action Aid, AIDOS, DSW et EPF, ACPD, APDA et Interact Worldwide.

Résolution du Conseil des droits de l'homme sur la santé maternelle

Les partenaires en matière de population et de développement Bureau régional pour l'Afrique (BRA PPD) célèbre l'adoption récente d'un premier coup de résolution sur la mortalité et la morbidité maternelles par le Conseil des droits de l'homme sur Juin 17, 2009.

La résolution sur la "Prévention de la mortalité maternelle et de morbidité et de droits de l'homme" reconnaît que les droits de l'homme est essentiel pour les réponses nationales et internationales à la mortalité maternelle et de morbidité.

Dans cette résolution, les gouvernements ont exprimé leur grave préoccupation pour le taux anormalement élevé de mortalité maternelle et de morbidité, de reconnaître que c'est une question de droits humains, et s'engager à accroître leurs efforts au niveau national et international pour protéger la vie des femmes et des filles dans le monde entier. Il s'agit d'une critique révolutionnaire que membres des Nations unies ont reconnu la nécessité d'aborder la santé maternelle en tant que question de droits humains.

Grâce à la résolution du Conseil des droits de l'homme, les gouvernements reconnaissent que l'élimination de la mortalité et morbidité maternelle exige la promotion et la protection des femmes et des filles des droits de l'homme, y compris leurs droits à la vie, à l'égalité dans la dignité, à l'éducation, à être libre de chercher, de recevoir et de répandre des informations, de bénéficier du progrès scientifique, à l'abri de la discrimination et de jouir du meilleur état de santé physique et mentale, y compris la santé sexuelle et reproductive.

Écoutez ce que Dr. Jotham Musinguzi, directeur régional de PPD BRA, avait à dire au sujet de la santé maternelle, lors d'une récente réunion d'information du Congrès des États-Unis le 5 Juin 2009, parrainée par l'Association des centres de population, Population Action International, Population Association of America, Population Council , Population Reference Bureau, Population Resource Center, et UCLA Center Bixby sur la population et la santé de la reproduction.

Dans sa présentation, le Dr Musinguzi souligné les effets de la mortalité maternelle - la perte de vie, les droits, et productivty - et la gamme de l'efficacité et à faible coût des stratégies visant à améliorer la santé des mères et des enfants. "Quel est le message?" Muzinguzi demandé en conclusion. "Aucune femme ne devrait perdre sa vie en donnant la vie."

Pourtant, chaque année, 265.000 femmes meurent pendant l'accouchement de causes évitables en Afrique sub-saharienne.

Le PPD ARO invite États membres des Nations Unies dans la mise en œuvre de la résolution du Conseil des droits de l'homme sur évitable de mortalité et de morbidité maternelle et les droits de l'homme de veiller à ce que l'étude thématique qui sera établi sera entièrement financé et mis en œuvre dans tous les pays africains.

La résolution est disponible à: http://reproductiverights.org/sites/crr.civicactions.net/files/documents/Maternal% 20Mortality% 20Resolution% 20HRC% 20_as% 20approved_.pdf

Un communiqué de presse des Nations Unies est en ligne à: http://www.unog.ch/unog/website/news_media.nsf/ (httpNewsByYear_en) / 10DF03F4ED78BD52C12575D8004D5215? OpenDocument

Human Rights Council Resolution on Maternal Health

The Partners in Population and Development Africa Regional Office (PPD ARO) celebrates the recent adoption of a ground-breaking resolution on maternal mortality and morbidity by the Human Rights Council on June 17, 2009.

The resolution on "Preventable maternal mortality and morbidity and human rights" recognizes that a human rights perspective is essential to international and national responses to maternal mortality and morbidity.

In this resolution, governments expressed grave concern for the unacceptably high rates of maternal mortality and morbidity, acknowledge that this is a human rights issue, and commit to enhance their efforts at the national and international level to protect the lives of women and girls worldwide. It is a critical breakthrough that UN member states have acknowledged the need to address maternal health as a human rights issue.

Through the Human Rights Council resolution, governments recognize that the elimination of maternal mortality and morbidity requires the effective promotion and protection of women and girls’ human rights, including their rights to life; to be equal in dignity; to education; to be free to seek, receive, and impart information; to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress; to freedom from discrimination; and to enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, including sexual and reproductive health.

Hear what Dr. Jotham Musinguzi, Regional Director, PPD ARO, had to say about maternal health at a recent United States Congressional briefing on 5 June 2009, sponsored by the Association of Population Centers, Population Action International, Population Association of America, Population Council, Population Reference Bureau, Population Resource Center, and UCLA Bixby Center on Population and Reproductive Health.

In his presentation, Dr. Musinguzi pointed out the effects of maternal mortality—-the lost lives, rights, and productivty—-and the range of effective, low-cost strategies to improve the health of mothers and children. "What is the message?" Muzinguzi asked in conclusion. "No woman should lose her life while giving life."

Yet, every year, 265,000 mothers die in childbirth from preventable causes in sub-Saharan Africa.

The PPD ARO calls on United Nations member states as they implement the Human Rights Council Resolution on preventable maternal mortality and morbidity and human rights to ensure that the thematic study be fully funded and its recommendations implemented in all African countries.

The full resolution is available at: http://reproductiverights.org/sites/crr.civicactions.net/files/documents/Maternal%20Mortality%20Resolution%20HRC%20_as%20approved_.pdf

A U.N. press release is online at: http://www.unog.ch/unog/website/news_media.nsf/(httpNewsByYear_en)/10DF03F4ED78BD52C12575D8004D5215?OpenDocument

Governments Declare Maternal Mortality a Human Rights Violation

In March this year, 83 Governments issued a joint statement to the United Nations Human Rights Council. Expressing concern over the unacceptably high number of women who die each year due to pregnancy related complications, the delegation urged the Human Rights Council to declare maternal mortality a human rights violation.

Each year more than 500,000 women die from pregnancy or childbirth. Most of these deaths could be prevented, and by not doing so, such inaction clearly constitutes a human rights violation. A women's right to health, life, education, dignity, access to information and appropriate healthcare are violated each and every time a preventable death occurs, and this is completely unacceptable. Reaffirming the importance of The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Millennium Development Goal 5, The Beijing Declaration and The International Conference on Population and Development, the delegation demanded a recommitment to such global obligations.

MDG 5 aims to reduce the maternal mortality ratio by three quarters, however, between 1990 and 2005 the global rate decreased by less than 1%. Governments and international organizations must recommit themselves to decreasing maternal mortality by 5.5% annually in order to meet set targets. Maternal mortality is an issue that affects women worldwide, and must not be looked at as a concentrated regional problem, but rather a sector of health in which continuous improvement is required.

The delegation laid out 4 keys actions that the Human Rights Council should undertake to contribute to existing efforts. Identifying the human rights dimensions of preventable maternal mortality and morbidity, reviewing and considering information on discrimination in the provision of and access to healthcare for women and discrimination against women in respect of their right to decide freely and responsibly on the number and spacing of their children, talking about the human rights implications of maternal mortality and morbidity in the universal periodic review and in treaty body dialogues, including the exchange of programmes and policies that have successfully reversed the trend of maternal deaths and injuries, and finally, requesting states to include women in decision-making about maternal health, including decisions on the design of local health care mechanisms, and to recognize women’s right to skilled professional care before, during and after pregnancy and childbirth. Goal 3 highlights the importance of South-South cooperation and sharing of good practices as an excellent tool of progression.

The Council will meet next in June of this year and it is PPD's hope that the suggestions provided by one of the largest joint-intergovernmental statements delivered to the Council will have taken effect, and that maternal mortality will be declared a human rights violation. Urgent action is needed in order to meet Millennium Development Goal 5 and to prevent thousands of unnecessary deaths, and the Human Rights Council has the ability to spur such action.

You can view the entire joint statement issued to the Human Rights Council at http://www.womendeliver.org/news/pdf/NewZealand.pdf

Film on Abortion in Ethiopia: Not Yet Rain

In 2004, Ethiopia enacted one of the most progressive abortion laws in Africa. A woman may now seek an abortion if her life or health is threatened. Abortion is also permitted in cases of rape, incest, fetal impairment, or if the woman is a minor or physically or mentally injured or disabled. Before 2004, abortion abortion was permitted only to save a woman’s life and protect her health and in cases of rape.

However, many women still continue to perform self-induced abortions for multiple reasons: the stigma of sex outside of marriage, the cost of abortion, an inability to travel to safe clinics, and late term abortion restrictions. The new film Not Yet Rain examines the topic of abortion in Ethiopia through the voices of women who have faced the challenge of accessing safe abortion care within their communities.

Each year, 68,000 women around the world die from unsafe abortions. After hearing some of the techniques described in the twenty-three minute documentary Not Yet Rain, this comes as no surprise. One woman describes how a catheter and an umbrella were used to terminate her daughter's pregnancy, ultimately resulting in her death. Others resort to using sticks, plastic objects, and roots to attempt self-induced abortions. Whatever the reason behind being unable to access safe abortion services, the decision to turn to self-remedies is an extremely unsafe option, and it is vital that education is improved in the most remote communities, in order to ensure that women know their options and rights.

As a result of Ethiopia's revised law and 2006 guidelines for safe abortion services, abortion services are some of the safest in all of Africa. At a clinic in the documentary, the midwife/nurse explains that abortion services are now free, allowing women of all economic levels to receive proper care. Furthermore, the use of a manual vacuum aspirator (MVA) to perform the procedure is extremely safe and does not require the use of anesthesia, thus allowing clinics in the poorest and more remote areas of the community to provide such services. Regardless, the system is still full of problems. Due to a lack of education about reproductive health in Ethiopia, late term abortions are still one of the biggest factors leading to self inducement or use of traditional medicines.

Unintended pregnancy is a root cause of induced abortion and maternal mortality. An estimated 108 million married women in developing countries have an unmet need for contraception. Thus, meeting the need for contraception is a critical step toward reducing the incidence of unintended pregnancy.

In light of the mandates of intergovernmental agreements (ICPD, MDGs, Maputo) the prevention of unsafe abortion and death in all countries is an imperative goal for women’s health and rights.

To view the entire film Not Yet Rain online, visit http://www.notyetrain.org/

For useful resources on maternal mortality and MDG 5, check out the Women Deliver Resources at: http://www.womendeliver.org/resources/womendeliver.htm

For more information on the legal status of abortion, read the Center for Reproductive Rights 2007 briefing, “Abortion Worldwide: Twelve Years of Reform” http://reproductiverights.org/sites/default/files/documents/pub_bp_abortionlaws10.pdf

Related articles from The Lancet on global abortion rates and trends are available online at:

• David A Grimes, Janie Benson, Susheela Singh, Mariana Romero, Bela Ganatra, Friday E Okonofua, Iqbal H Shah. Unsafe abortion: the preventable pandemic. The Lancet Sexual and Reproductive Health Series, October 2006: http://wwwlive.who.ch/reproductive-health/publications/articles/article4.pdf
• Gilda Sedgh, Stanley Henshaw, Susheela Singh, Elisabeth Åhman, Iqbal H Shah. Induced abortion: estimated rates and trends worldwide. The Lancet 2007; 370: 1338–45: http://media.mcclatchydc.com/smedia/2007/10/17/13/Chang-Guttmacher_Institute_abortion_report.source.prod_affiliate.91.pdf
  

Parliamentarians Call for Action on Adolescent Girls' Rights

From April 5th-10th, 2009 more than 600 parliamentarians from over 100 different countries met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to attend the 120th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). Their primary goal was to discuss parliament's role in promoting global peace and security, democracy, and development, with special attention given to the importance of investing in adolescent girls in developing nations.

Last week, parliamentarians addressed the issue of the current global financial crisis, and looked to the importance of investing in young girls as a critical strategy to repairing economies. Adolescent girls in developing countries are often overlooked as fundamental components of a society's progression. However, as both economic actors and future mothers, the importance of investing in young girls' safety, health, and education is crucial to creating a stable society with high levels of growth. At the present moment, less than half a cent of every single international development dollar is spent on adolescent girls, greatly inhibiting their development into empowered young women, able to escape poverty and ignite progress.

In order to counterbalance gender-based inequality, Dr. Theo-Ben Gurirab, President of the IPU, discussed the importance of “addressing discrimination and promoting the well-being and empowerment of adolescent girls" as both a human right and a core component of achieving the Millennium Development Goals.” Parliamentarians at the 120th Assembly focused on three key points in ensuring the improvement of adolescent girl's well being: investing in girls' education, promoting an end to violence against girls in all settings, and working with both governments and the private sector to build life skills for young women, ensuring that they make a smooth transition from school to work. By focusing on such initiatives, adolescent girls as well as society as a whole will progress and grow.

During the meeting in Addis Ababa, members of paliament (MPs) had the opportunity to see for themselves the importance of investing in such proposals. By visiting UNICEF supported initiatives, MP's were quickly able to see the importance of such programs.

It is the PPD ARO's hope that this realization will prompt MPs to implement similar programs in their countries to promote adolescent girls' empowerment. More than 600 million young girls' live in the developing world today, and it is crucial that the international community continues to address issues of gender inequality and appropriates actions to be taken.

To access the 120th Assembly's agenda, please visit: http://www.ipu.org/conf-e/120agnd.htm

To learn more about UNICEF's role in working with the IPU, visit: http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/ethiopia_49258.html