• Monitoring Mechanism Needs to be Developed and Implemented by Parliamentarians
• AFPPD-Malaysia’s Contributions for National Independence Celebration Discussed
• AFPPD-Malaysia’s Contributions for National Independence Celebration Discussed
• Other Political Advocacy Events
• Filipino MP in World Bank’s Field Visit to Mozambique
• Inter-relation of Culture, Gender and Human Rights
• AFPPD Strategy Planning Meeting
• World Population Day: Men as Partners in Maternal Health
• Philippine Population and Development Media Awards Unveiled
• European and Canadian Parliamentarians in Ghana

• Young European Decision Makers Visited Tanzania
• Steve Chadwick Received PointSeven Campaign Fair Play Awards
• Noeleen Heyzer Appointed Executive Secretary of UNESCAP
• UNFPA Urged Leaders’ Commitment to End FGM/C
• New Zealand’s Youth Parliament 2007
• Parliamentarians to Monitor Field Activities, a Unique Initiative
• Do not Ignore Family Planning
• IPPF President Meets AFPPD Secretary General
• Australian Reproductive Health Alliance Gathering
• DATES TO REMEMBER

Monitoring Mechanism Needs to be Developed and Implemented by Parliamentarians

African and Asian parliamentarians, together with the officials from the Japanese government, UNFPA and IPPF

The dialogue between the 10 Asian and 10 African parliamentarians, took place on August 28-29 in Tokyo, Japan in the presence of Japanese government officials. The dialogue included 20 parliamentarians from Asia and Africa; and officials from UNFPA and the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF). It was organized by the Asian Population and Development Association (APDA) and AFPPD, in cooperation with the Japan Parliamentarians Federation for Population (JPFP).

Africa’s problem is Asia’s problem and it is a global problem that we share. Mr. Yasuo Fukuda, MP (Japan), and Chair of AFPPD, APDA and JPFP

The opening ceremony was addressed by Mr. Yasuo Fukuda, MP (Japan) and Chair of AFPPD, APDA and JPFP. He spoke on population issues which are crucial in resolving the development problems in Africa and invited the parliamentarians to share their experiences and to learn from each other, as this will have an important bearing in solving these issues. He emphasized that the African problem is a complex combination of poverty, infectious diseases and environmental degradation - all of which are related to population. The population increase, resulting to poverty, is one of the major causes of the expansion of infectious diseases. “The problems created in Africa will impact the whole world. In this sense, Africa’s problem is Asia’s problem, and it is a global problem that we share”, he added.

Progress in MDGs is possible when strong leadership and good policies are combined. Ms. Fama Ba, Director of the Africa Division of UNFPA

Ms. Fama Ba, Director of the Africa Division of UNFPA, emphasized the importance of the dialogue in providing an opportunity for the parliamentarians to discuss the lessons learned in the advancement of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) agenda and the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). “This gathering is especially relevant as we reach the mid-point of MDGs. The goals and objectives agreed at the 1994 ICPD are closely linked to the achievement of MDGs”, she said. Evidence shows that the rapid and large-scale progress towards the MDGs is possible when strong government leadership and good policies are combined with adequate financial and technical support.

Parliamentarians are the key advocates for change Mr. Tewodros Melesse, Regional Director of IPPF-Africa

During his speech, Mr. Tewodros Melesse, Regional Director of IPPF-Africa, spoke on the linkages between the Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) and sustainable development, and stressed the role of parliamentarians in promoting the above issues. In Africa, SRHR is essential to the success of poverty reduction and sustainable development efforts – such as poverty reduction strategy plans, national development plans and MDGs. The parliamentarians have the capacity to influence and shape social movements, through the partnerships among the public and private sectors, NGOs, and civil societies. “You can be the key advocates for change in poverty reduction, and in improving the health and lives of people”, he added.

Left to right: Mr. Takashi Ohno, Director of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; Mr. Katori Teruyuki, Counselor of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare; Mr. Koji Tsuruoka, Director-General for the Global Issues of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ms. Chieko Nohno, MP (Japan) and Vice-Chair of JPFP; and Ms. Khira Lagha Ben Fadhel, MP (Tunisia) and President of FAAPPD

Ms. Chieko Nohno, MP (Japan) and Vice-Chair of JPFP, spoke on behalf of Mr. Yoshiro Mori, MP (Japan), former Prime Minister of Japan , and Chair of the Japan-African Union Parliamentary Friendship League. Ms. Khira Lagha Ben Fadhel, MP (Tunisia) and President of the Forum of African and Arab Parliamentarians on Population and Development (FAAPPD); Mr. Katori Teruyuki, Counsellor of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare; and Mr. Takashi Ohno, Director of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; also spoke at the ceremony.

Japanese international cooperation in TICAD IV and G8

Ms. Birute Vesaite

Mr. Koji Tsuruoka, Director-General for the Global Issues of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, gave the background information on the preparation of TICAD IV and G8 Summit, to be held in Japan, and the programme supported for the African development. The Inter-European Parliamentary Forum of Population and Development’s Executive Committee Member, Ms. Birute Vesaite, MP (Lithuania), spoke about the G8 Summit that took place last year in Germany and other related parliamentary events. She was of a view that the G8 parliamentary meeting in Berlin, which was also attended by AFPPD, was instrumental in promoting the focus on HIV/AIDS, resulting in the enhancement of funds for the disease.

 

 

 

Ms. Myoung Ock Ahn (left), MP (Korea), and Mr. Takeshi Horie (right), President of NARO

It is urgently required in many countries to establish sustainable agricultural systems

Mr. Takeshi Horie
President of NARO

The inter-dependent problems of population, agriculture, resources and environment in Asia and Africa were emphasized by Mr. Takeshi Horie, President of the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO). He said that given the increasing population and depleting resources in many countries, the establishment of sustainable agricultural systems, which enable increased food production and environmental protection, are urgently required to ensure food security and livelihoods. “To realize such possibility, more cooperation and support are necessary in the technology development among the countries, he added. Ms. Myoung Ock Ahn, MP (Korea), chaired the session.

Rural development, health and population issues

Mr. Makoto Atoh, Professor of Waseda University, spoke on the demographic transition, and the social and economic development in Japan. Mr. Hidesuke Shimizu, Professor of Jikei University, narrated the community-based approaches to the infectious diseases in Asia and Africa while Ms. Kayoko Shimizu, Vice-Chair of APDA, spoke on the post-war community development in Japan.

Population, reproductive health and rights, and public health

The population policy, reproductive health rights, and demographic transition in Vietnam were presented by Mr. Nguyen Van Tien, MP (Vietnam). He said, “The changing population in the country is due to the policies on socio-economic development, gender equity, and poverty reduction, and the high political commitment of parliamentarians to reproductive health strategies”. The impact of HIV/AIDS on women and children in Thailand was delivered by Mr. Tuang Untachai, MP (Thailand).

Left to right: Mr. Ali Issa Abbas, MP (Chad); Mr. El Hadji Malik Diop, MP (Senegal); Mr. Nguyen Van Tien, MP (Vietnam); Mr. Tuang Untachai, MP (Thailand); and Mr. Chris Baryomunsi, MP (Uganda)

 

Mr. Chris Baryomunsi, MP (Uganda), spoke on HIV/AIDS prevention and its obstacles in Uganda. “The current major obstacle to HIV/AIDS programmes is the limited coverage and access to the key interventions and services”, he added. The impact of population and reproductive health on the community development in Africa was emphasized by Mr. Ali Issa Abbas, MP (Chad). The session was chaired by Mr. El Hadji Malik Diop, MP (Senegal)

Sustainable Development and Capacity Building

Mr. Jagannath Mandha, MP (India), spoke on the inter-relation of primary education and total fertility rate in India. Mr. Li Honggui, MP (China), stressed that the Chinese government has taken various measures to help the rural women to increase their income and to make substantial achievements. “The measures include the formulated policies and measures to promote gender equality, strengthened education and training programs, developed rural female professional cooperative and economic organizations, and mobilized forces of all social sectors”, he enumerated. Ms. Emma Boona, MP (Uganda), presented “How to Empower Women: Elimination of Violence Against Women”. She underlined that the empowerment of women involves giving to women socio-economic, political, cultural and religious tools to enjoy their human rights, freedoms and responses.

Left to right: Mr. Jagannath Mandha, MP (India); Ms. Emma Boona, MP (Uganda); and Mr. Li Honggui, MP (China)

Afro-Asian Cooperation

Left to right: Mr. Takeshi Osuga, Director for the Global Issues of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ms. Donya Aziz, MP (Pakistan); and Mr. Harry Jooseery, Executive Director of the Partners in Population and Development

The last session was the panel discussion focusing on Afro-Asian cooperation. Ms. Donya Aziz, MP (Pakistan), talked on “Developing Parliamentarians - Good Governance Cooperation” while Mr. Tewodros Melesse spoke on the importance of Afro-Asian cooperation, the key areas for South-South collaboration and the lessons learned. He stressed that IPPF is promoting the Afro-Asian cooperation and emphasized the need for more cooperation between the civil society agencies, by giving the Japanese Organization for International Cooperation in Family Planning (JOICFP) as an example.

South-South Cooperation

Mr. Harry Jooseery, Executive Director of the Partners in Population and Development, introduced the population growth factors in developing countries, especially on the basis, impact and achievements of South-South cooperation. The key areas for South-South collaboration included advocating on the favorable policy environments for population, health and development; advocating for commodity security; promoting and sharing successful experiences in programme development implementation and management; and promoting and marketing the South-South technical expertise, capacity building ventures and institutional partnerships. Mr. Takeshi Osuga, Director for the Global Issues of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, discussed the Asian contributions for African development.

Then, the participating parliamentarians approved a Tokyo Statement of the Afro-Asian cooperation. The session was chaired by Mr. Peter David Machungwa, MP (Zambia) and Chair of the Zambian Parliamentary Network on Population and Development.

UNFPA Assured Cooperation

Mr. Sultan Aziz

Mr. Fukuda thanked the contribution and cooperation of the participants, saying, “We have been able to adopt the proposition that we will present to our respective governments in preparation for TICAD next year, as a result of the enthusiastic discussion and fruitful deliberation during the dialogue.”

In his concluding speech, Mr. Sultan Aziz, Director of the Asia-Pacific of UNFPA, welcomed the Afro-Asian cooperation in population and reproductive areas, and assured his cooperation to make it as useful as possible. He said that although the challenges are becoming more complex, we are fortunate that we are in this age when the world has become smaller - that communication is much simpler, and bilateral and multilateral ties have proliferated. The dialogue between the two regions generated new knowledge, ideas, perspectives, and approaches that would be appropriate and valuable to development efforts in both Africa and Asia. “This forum is a key pillar in maintaining the momentum of South-South cooperation towards the achievement of MDGs”, he added.

Meeting with the Japanese NGOs and the Study Tour

Mr. Osamu Kusumoto

The JOICFP organized a dialogue between the parliamentarians from the Asia-Pacific and Japanese NGOs working in Africa. The briefing and discussion on reproductive health and family planning experience of Japan was a useful event - chaired by Mr. Yasuo Kon, Chair of JOICFP, and Ms. Sumie Ishii, Executive Director of JOICFP.

Parliamentarians visited the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) facilities and were introduced to JICA projects in Africa. In Gunma, The parliamentarians were received by Mr. Akio Shigehara, Deputy Governor of the Gunma Prefecture, and were briefed on the manufacturing plants for agricultural products. One of the most informative projects was the channelling hot spring water to heat up Gunma’s houses and hotels. Mr. Osamu Kusumoto, Secretary-General of APDA, briefed the participants.

 

 

 

Participants at the study tour

---

AFPPD-Malaysia’s Contributions for National Independence Celebration Discussed

Ms. Yeoh Yeok Kim, Representative of UNFPA-Malaysia; Ms. Datuk Napsiah Omar, Chair of the Women Institute of Management; Ms. Datin Paduka Rahmah Osman, Executive Director of AFPPD-Malaysia; and Hon. Datuk Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah, Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry, and Chair of AFPPD-Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, August 31: The AFPPD-Malaysia organized a meeting of the local and international NGO officials, and parliamentarians to discuss the programmes that AFPPD-Malaysia could contribute for the country’s celebration on her 50th year of independence. Ms. Yeoh Yeok Kim, Representative of UNFPA-Malaysia; Ms. Datuk Napsiah Omar, Chair of the Women Institute of Management; Ms. Datin Paduka Rahmah Osman, Executive Director of AFPPD-Malaysia; Hon. Rozaidah Talib, MP and Secretary of AFPPD-Malaysia; and Hon. Datuk Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah, Deputy Minister of the International Trade and Industry, and Chair of AFPPD-Malaysia; attended.

---

Front row, left to right: Ms. Deborah Landey, Deputy Executive Director of UNAIDS; Hon. Nimal Siripala de Silva, Minister of Healthcare and Nutrition in Sri Lanka; H.E. Mahinda Rajapakse, President of Sri Lanka; Mr. Michel Kazatchkine, Executive Director of GFATM and Mr. Myung Hwan Cho, President of ASAP (Source: Colombo Page)

Mr. JVR Prasada Rao

The conference theme was opened by H.E. Mahinda Rajapakse, President of Sri Lanka, and addressed by Hon. Nimal Siripala de Silva, Minister of Healthcare and Nutrition in Sri Lanka; Mr. Michel Kazatchkine, Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM); Mr. Myung Hwan Cho, President of ASAP; Ms. Deborah Landey, Deputy Executive Director of UNAIDS; and Nigel de Silva and Ms. Princey Mangalika, former and present Presidents of Lanka Plus, respectively. Mr. JVR Prasada Rao, Regional Director of the Asia-Pacific of UNAIDS; Ms. Annmaree O’Keeffe, Deputy Director General of the Australian Agency for International Development; and Ms. Anandi Yuvaraj, Program Manager of the Programme for Appropriate Technology in Health; also spoke at the welcoming session.

AFPPD projected political advocacy

Ms. Gill Greer

The AFPPD’s focus for ICAAP was to highlight the need for a political commitment and advocacy with the elected representatives. The AFPPD collaborated with IPPF in organizing a Health Ministers’ roundtable, which was chaired by Hon. Nimal Siripala de Silva, Minister of Healthcare and Nutrition in Sri Lanka, and addressed by Ms. Gill Greer, Director General of IPPF, and Ms. Meenakshi Datta Ghosh, Secretary of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in India.

The roundtable became interesting when Ms. Madhu Bala Nath, Regional Director of IPPF-South Asia, and Ms. Suneeta Mukherje, Representative of UNFPA-Philippines, presented a monologue on the current status of sexual and reproductive health in India - followed by a short video presentation on the same theme. Others who participated in the roundtable were Dr. Aishath Shiham of Maldives, Dr. Gado Tshering of Bhutan, Dr. Mam BunHeng of Cambodia, Dr. Chaudhary Mohammed Iqbal of Pakistan, Dr. Mohammad Mehdi Gouya of Iran, Dr. Nanta Auamkul of Thailand, Dr. Sri Hermiyanti Junizarman of Indonesia, Dr. Ramchandra Man Singh of Nepal, Dr.Hao Yang of China and Dr. Mya Oo of Myanmar.

Left to right: Ms. Madhu Bala Nath, Regional Director of IPPF-South Asia ; Dr. Sri Hermiyanti Junizarman of Indonesia; Dr. Ramchandra Man Singh of Nepal; Dr. Mam BunHeng of Cambodia; Ms. Raj Karim, Regional Director of IPPF-ESEAOR; Dr. Nanta Auamkul of Thailand; Dr. Mohammad Mehdi Gouya of Iran; and Dr. Chaudhary Mohammed Iqbal of Pakistan

Parliamentarians’ dialogue with the People Living with HIV (PLWHIV)

Mr. Kevin Osborne

The Asia Pacific Alliance and AFPPD, in cooperation with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), organized an interesting dialogue between the parliamentarians and the young PLWHIV. The dialogue, conducted by Mr. Kevin Osborne, Senior HIV/AIDS Advisor of IPPF-London, was one of the most useful events in helping to highlight the realities at the ground level. The NGO and community representatives talked on the relevant policy frameworks and programmes in their own country and on the status of HIV/AIDS prevention programmes. The parliamentarians who participated were Ms. Malinee Sukavejworakit and Ms. Tuenjai Deetes from Thailand, Ms. Nguyen Thi Kha from Vietnam, Mr. Hakim Sorimuda Pohan from Indonesia, Ms. Peou Saveoun from Cambodia and Mr. Phonethep Pholsena from Lao PDR. ADB officials: Ms. Ursula Schaefer-Preuss, Vice President, and Ms. Jennifer Francis, NGO and Civil Society Specialist, also attended.

Pre-ICAAP Parliamentarians’ Seminar

Mr. Hakim Sorimuda Pohan (left), MP (Indonesia), at the Pre-ICAAP seminar of PGA

Top photo, from the left: Ms. Nguyen Thi Kha (2nd), MP (Vietnam); Mr. Hakim Sorimuda Pohan (4th), MP (Indonesia); Ms. Peou Saveoun (6th), MP (Cambodia); and Mr. Phonethep Pholsena (7th), MP (Lao PDR). Bottom photo, from left: Ms. Malinee Sukavejworakit (5th) and Ms. Tuenjai Deetes (6th), both MPs of Thailand, during the dialogue with the young PLWHIV

The AFPPD also collaborated with the Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) for the Pre-ICAAP Parliamentarians’ Seminar on August 18. The event was organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition. It was attended by parliamentarians from India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, New Zealand, Belgium; and AFPPD parliamentarians from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia and Lao PDR.

In a session, “South Asia’s Current HIV/AIDS Situation and Response”, Mr. Hakim Sorimuda Pohan, MP (Indonesia) and Vice-Chair of the Indonesian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (IFPPD), spoke on the highlights of HIV/AIDS response in Indonesia. He also underlined that IFPPD had disseminated information on the HIV/AIDS latest situation, empowered parliamentarians and assisted in developing indicators for effective monitoring.

Some of the poster presentations also reflected the need to enhance the political commitment and parliamentary advocacy with more involvement of elected representatives. From AFPPD, Mr. Shiv Khare, Executive Director, and Ms. Pariyaporn Sappapan, Administrative Associate, attended the conference. The AFPPD parliamentarians who attended ICAAP were Ms. Malinee Sukavejworakit and Ms. Tuenjai Deetes from Thailand, Ms. Nguyen Thi Kha from Vietnam, Mr. Hakim Sorimuda Pohan from Indonesia, Ms. Peou Saveoun from Cambodia and Mr. Phonethep Pholsena from Lao PDR. Some of the AFPPD alumni from India, Pakistan and New Zealand also attended the Pre-ICAAP and ICAAP events.

Other Political Advocacy Events

• Hon. Chitralekha Yadav MP (Nepal), spoke on “Recognizing HIV/AIDS as a Development Issue”
• UNAIDS’ Asia Pacific Leadership Forum organized “Portraits of Action” to highlight the concrete actions in responding to AIDS. Mr. Syed Javed Hussain, MP (Pakistan), Ms. Maria Isabelle Climaco, MP (Philippines), and Pastor Daniel Hewali (Papua New Guinea) addressed the symposium.
• UNFPA-Mongolia and UNAIDS organized a symposium, “From Low to Zero Prevalence – Translating Political Commitment into Action”, addressed by Mr. Tim Sladden, STI/HIV Adviser of UNFPA-Fiji; Ms. Nafis Sadik, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General for HIV/AIDS in Asia-Pacific; and Ms. Tuya Badarch, Executive Director of NGO Focus.
• UNDP and World Bank organized a session, “Making Accountability Count: Strengthening Local governance for Sustainable AIDS Responses”.
• Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) organized “Parliamentarians and the Role of Legislation in Addressing HIV/AIDS”, chaired by Hon. Nimal Siripala de Silva, Minister of Healthcare and Nutrition in Sri Lanka; and addressed by Senator Alain Destexhe of Belgium, President of PGA; Ms. Nafis Sadik, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General for HIV/AIDS in Asia-Pacific; Mr. Jesudas Seelam, MP (India); Hon. Chitralekha Yadav, MP (Nepal); Ms. Noor Jehan Panezai, MP (Pakistan); and Ms. Nguyen Thi Kha, MP (Vietnam) of AFPPD.
• The AIDS Society of Asia-Pacific organized a meeting to discuss the new opportunities in advocacy after ICAAP, where AFPPD emphasized the need to work on informing the elected representatives about AIDS.

Filipino MP in World Bank’s Field Visit to Mozambique

Mr. Neric Acosta (left), MP (Philippines) at the field visit in Mozambique

Maputo, July 22-27: The Parliamentary Network on World Bank and the World Bank (WB) organized a parliamentarians’ field visit in Mozambique. The four-day field visit was attended by 11 parliamentarians from around the world, including Mr. Neric Acosta, MP (Philippines), who was nominated by AFPPD. The programme included meetings with the local parliamentarians, and representatives from the donor communities and civil societies.

Mr. Jean-Christophe Bas, Development Policy Dialogue Manager of WB, noted that the goal of the programme was to give the parliamentarians a greater awareness of the country’s poverty reduction strategy, and the level of participation, voice and accountability. These themes were discussed during a meeting with the members of civil societies. An array of national and international NGOs, opinion leaders, and media groups shared their views with the parliamentarians on civic engagement, and participation in planning and monitoring the government’s poverty reduction strategy.

Throughout the visit, the parliamentarians emphasized the need for a strong donor support for agricultural development, good governance and human development, and the need to ensure the benefits of economic growth trickle down to the poor. They also met with other development partners to understand how the efforts to improve donor coordination were done. A half-day session with the local parliamentarians also provided the visiting parliamentarians a chance to learn of the challenges and opportunities faced by the country.

Asian Regional Training of National Parliamentary Staff on

Inter-relation of Culture, Gender and Human Rights

Participants of the training

What people want should be a central concern in programme development

-Mr. Garimella Giridhar
Director, UNFPA-CST, Bangkok

Mr. Garimella Giridhar (left), Director of UNFPA-CST, Bangkok; and Ms. Malinee Sukavejworakit (right), Senior Adviser of AFPPD

The training was opened by Mr. Garimella Giridhar, Director of UNFPA-CST, Bangkok, and chaired by Ms. Malinee Sukavejworakit, Senior Adviser of AFPPD. During her address, Ms. Sukavejworakit spoke on the importance of culturally-sensitive programmes in achieving quality and improved reproductive health for women. Mr. Giridhar addressed the participants on the importance of their role in ensuring that parliamentarians address the population and development issues in a culturally-sensitive way. He said that what people want should be a central concern in programme development, and that helps to ensure the re-election of parliamentarians. Mr. Giridhar noted that it requires a bridge to be built between the culture and the programmes so that the strengths of a culture are utilized. Mr. Shiv Khare, Executive Director of AFPPD, provided an overview of the agenda and the objectives of each session.

A broad range of expectations

Ms. Maria Majella Rio

Following the opening remarks, Ms. Maria Majella Rio, Resource Person from UNESCO, facilitated a group discussion on what the participants’ expectations were for the training. The participants indicated a broad range of expectations - including to share their experiences and to broaden their perspectives on culture, be able to extend the knowledge they learned to the parliamentarians, learn how to preserve culture, understand the relationship between culture and gender, understand how culture can impact on the programmes, and be better positioned to advocate to the parliamentarians and the community leaders on the population- and development-related issues.

Culturally-link frameworks and relevant standard-setting instruments

Ms. Vanessa Archilles

A session to present an overview of the culturally-linked frameworks and the relevant standard-setting instruments was delivered by Ms. Vanessa Archilles, Resource Person from UNESCO. The session aimed to briefly introduce some of the most significant UN and non-UN international agreements, conference declarations, conventions and reports that highlight the importance of human rights and culture. An overview of the International Conference on Population and Development, the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and the standard-setting instruments were discussed.

Importance of Culture, Gender and Human Rights

Ms. Mere Kisekka

Ms. Mere Kisekka, Adviser for Gender and Socio-Cultural Research of UNFPA-CST, Bangkok, introduced the core gender and cultural concepts during the session on “Understanding the Importance of Culture, Gender and Human Rights”. A group work was held, where participants shared and discussed their experiences related to the tensions and links between human rights, gender issues and cultural practices. The participants also exchanged examples from their countries where a cultural practice had been a barrier or a positive factor in national development plans.

Helping the facilitators evaluate the workshop

A group of participants reported on the main events and lessons, aimed at summing up the main discussions and the presentations’ elements, refreshing the participants’ memories about the learned concepts before starting the new sessions, and helping the facilitators evaluate the workshop’s content and format. The group consisted of Mr. Samidjo, Programme Officer of UNFPA-Indonesia; Mr. Muhammed Fayyaz, Secretary to the Pakistani Opposition Leader; Mr. Manmohan Sharma, Executive Secretary of the Indian Association of Parliamentarians’ on Population and Development (IAPPD); and Mr. Ekburus Srisanit, Secretary of the Thai National Legislative Assembly Committee on Public Health.

Left to right: Mr. Samidjo, Programme Officer of UNFPA-Indonesia; Mr. Muhammed Fayyaz, Secretary to the Pakistani Opposition Leader; Mr. Manmohan Sharma, Executive Secretary of IAPPD; and Mr. Ekburus Srisanit, Secretary of the Thai National Legislative Assembly Committee on Public Health

UNFPA and UNESCO cultural lenses are in parallel

After the group report, the UNFPA cultural lens was introduced to the participants and a case study was provided for analysis. The lens has six facets, four relates to knowledge and two relates to skills. The participants were asked to exchange success and failure stories that illustrate the importance of human rights, gender and cultural factors in the programme design. They analyzed the different aspects of the given case study and discussed how the application of cultural lens would have improved the outcomes of the case study.

The UNESCO Cultural Diversity Lens was also introduced, followed by a group work to discuss the similarities and links between the UNFPA’s and UNESCO’s cultural lenses. UNESCO and UNFPA had developed their cultural lenses in parallel - though two slightly different tools resulted, they present views of the same thing. Groups found out that many of the themes of UNESCO’s Cultural Diversity Lens could be linked with the UNFPA’s cultural lens.

Left to right: Ms. Sue Reid, Communications Coordinator of FPA-New Zealand; Mr. Manohar Prasad Bhattarai, Special Secretary of the Nepali Parliament; and Ms. Minh Vu Thi Binh, Programme Officer of VAPPD

Application of the cultural lenses

Ms. Sue Reid, Communications Coordinator of the Family Planning Association (FPA)-New Zealand; Mr. Manohar Prasad Bhattarai, Special Secretary of the Nepali Parliament; and Ms. Minh Vu Thi Binh, Programme Officer of the Vietnam Association of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (VAPPD); were selected to present their own summary and comments about the previous activities and discussions.

After the presentation, a session to develop an understanding of how the UNFPA and UNESCO cultural lenses can be applied to the different programmatic issues – including gender, sexuality and HIV/AIDS – followed. The activities of the session included a discussion and a group work on the case studies demonstrating the inter-relationship of these issues; an overview of the Radio Soap Opera project, which participants visited as part of the field visit; and a video of an Indian post-tsunami workshop.

Field visit to the project sites

The participants went for a field trip to the projects sites, including the AIDS and Ageing project of UNFPA, the Radio Thailand-Chiang Mai, and the local Lahu community. The key objectives of the AIDS and Ageing project site are to enhance the health and the quality of life of the older people affected by HIV/AIDS, and to increase knowledge on HIV prevention and awareness of the impact of HIV/AIDS to the older people. During the visit in Radio Thailand-Chiang Mai, a briefing was given by Ms. Cholada Montreevat, Project Coordinator of the UNESCO Soap Opera project. The radio station, including the UNFPA-supported radio soap opera, was an effective medium to provide educational messages to the hill tribe people. A visit to the hill tribe community followed.

Learned concepts and ideas at the training course

Left to right: Mr. Junfeng Mao, Staff of the Chinese Parliament; Mr. Muhammad Hanif Qureshi, Special Secretary of the Pakistani Senate; Ms. Saskia Pfeyffer, Programme Officer of IEPFPD; and Ms. Dana Kabyldayeva, Chief Expert of the International Affairs and Protocol Department of Kazakhstan

Mr. Junfeng Mao, Staff of the Chinese Parliament; Mr. Muhammad Hanif Qureshi, Special Secretary of the Pakistani Senate; Ms. Saskia Pfeyffer, Programme Officer of the Inter-European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development (IEPFPD); and Ms. Dana Kabyldayeva, Chief Expert of the International Affairs and Protocol Department of Kazakhstan; were selected as the reporting group. They reflected on what had been learned during the training and reported on participants’ feedback.

The participants were invited to create their own cultural lens. This consisted of the questions which could guide the project officers and the parliamentarians when developing and implementing programmes. The completed cultural lenses were then displayed on the chart boards – so that the participants could view each others’ lenses and exchange ideas. They also made posters which depicted what they had learned from the training course, as well as what their fears and aspirations were for applying their knowledge.

Important issues of the culturally-sensitive approaches

Dr. Prat Boonyawongvirot

At the closing session, Mr. Khare provided a brief overview of the training programme by commenting on the importance of taking a culturally-sensitive approach to population- and development-related issues, as this will help to ensure the success of MP (Thailand), Permanent Secretary of the Thai Ministry of Public Health and Secretary General of AFPPD, spoke on the important issues of culturally-sensitive approaches, as well as on building the participants’ capacity in this area. He noted that culture has become an international issue in recognition of the need to protect its diversity, as well as the influence that it has on the programme outcomes. In concluding the training, he presented each participant with a certificate outlining their achievement in completing the training course. The training was also attended by Ms. Fatimata Deme, Executive Director of the Forum of African and Arab Parliamentarians on Population and Development.

From the parliament of Maldives: Ms. Aminath Umar (left), Assistant Research Officer; and Mr. Mohamed Rasheed (right), Director

Chiang Mai, July 9: The representatives of the national parliamentary committees from the Asia-Pacific, Inter-European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development, and Forum of African and Arab Parliamentarians on Population and Development attended the Strategy Planning Meeting to review the work of AFPPD and to discuss its national committees’ achievements, problems, resources and relationship with the UNFPA. The meeting was conducted by Mr. Shiv Khare, Executive Director of AFPPD. He provided a particular welcome to the representatives from Afghanistan – Mr. Haj Zarin Zarin, MP; Mr. Al Haj Bidar Zazai, MP; and Mr. Nezamudin Adel, Director of the Relations with the World Parliament of International Relations Department – and also to the representatives from the parliament of Maldives – Mr. Mohamed Rasheed, Director; and Ms. Aminath Umar, Assistant Research Officer.

Afghan delegation (left to right): Mr. Haj Zarin Zarin, MP; Mr. Al Haj Bidar Zazai, MP; and Mr. Nezamudin Adel, Director of the Relations with the World Parliament of International Relations Department

The participants at the meeting provided an overview of the activities that their national parliamentary committees have been undertaking this year, as well as the key achievements for this year. The changing funding environment and the implications that this may have for the national committees was also discussed. The final session of the meeting was dedicated to seek feedbacks from the country representatives on their views of AFPPD – its work, impact, communication and support levels.

World Population Day: Men as Partners in Maternal Health

Ms. Thoraya Obaid

New York, July 11: The World Population Day was marked worldwide with “Men as Partners in Maternal Health” as the theme. This year emphasized the important role that men play in their partners’ maternal health – by ensuring that the women have access to contraception, safe obstetric care and other services. Governments were called on to do more to reduce maternal mortality, and to strengthen health systems and workforces to protect the health of mothers, children and families.

Ms. Thoraya Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA, said that despite the efforts put in place to improve maternal health and to advance gender equality, women continue to die or suffer disability in childbirth because women’s health has not been a high priority. “Experience shows that men’s involvement and participation can make all the difference. By discouraging early marriage, promoting girls’ education, fostering equitable relationships, and supporting women’s reproductive health and rights, progress is made”, she said.

Philippine Population and Development Media Awards Unveiled

Left to right: Ms. Ma. Theresa Fernandez, Project Officer of UNFPA-Philippines; Ms. Marissa Reyes, Executive Director of WINGS; Ms. Darlene Custodio, Vice-Chair of PLCPD; and Ramon San Pascual, Executive Director of PLCPD

Quezon City, July 27: The media, elected officials and development groups joined hands during the launch of the “Solidarity of Media Against Poverty”, which aims to transcend rivalries among media entities for the promotion of public awareness on the issues of poverty, population management and human development. In her message, Ms. Darlene Custodio, Vice-Chair of the Philippine Legislative Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD), acknowledged the vital role played by the media in informing and forming public opinion on the above issues. Ms. Ma. Theresa Fernandez, Programme Officer of UNFPA, also expressed her solidarity with the media.

The occasion also unveiled the 3rd Annual Population and Development Media Awards, an initiative that aims to give recognition to media practitioners who help disseminate relevant information and positive values on population and development, and heightened public awareness and knowledge on the issues. Mr. Ramon San Pascual, Executive Director of PLCPD, briefed the media representatives and encouraged them to participate in the competition.

European Forum’s Study Visit to Africa

European and Canadian Parliamentarians in Ghana

European and Canadian parliamentarians at the study visit in Ghana

Accra, July 21-28: The Inter-European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development (IEPFPD), Action Canada for Population and Development, and Canadian Federation for Sexual Health organized a week-long study tour to Ghana for parliamentarians from Canada, Germany, Sweden, Portugal and Cyprus. The study tour included visits to various local NGO projects dealing with Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) issues.

The participants were introduced to successes and challenges related to SRH through a multi-stakeholder meeting – with representatives from the Ghanaian Parliamentary Caucus on Population and Development, UNFPA, National Population Council and Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana. The meeting provided an overview of the stakeholders’ activities within the country. The parliamentarians were impressed by the strategic planning that is taking place in the health sector and they committed to report back on these challenges to their respective foreign and development ministries to help shape future aid policies.

Young European Decision Makers Visited Tanzania

Young European decision-makers at the study tour in Tanzania

Arusha, August 11-18: The IEPFPD, in cooperation with the German Foundation for World Population (DSW), organized a week-long study tour in Tanzania for young decision-makers from France, Moldova, Belgium, Spain and Finland. The programme of activities included meetings with the parliamentarians; field visits to the NGO projects, hospitals and youth clubs; and meetings with the business leaders and the key adolescent SRH NGOs.

The study tour started with a visit to the Tanzanian Parliament. The delegation met the Prime Minister and the Speaker of the Parliament. The meeting with the Tanzanian Parliamentary AIDS Coalition (TAPAC) was significant and consisted of 260 parliamentarians, which showed the commitment of policymakers towards HIV/AIDS challenges. The study tour also comprised visits to various youth projects dealing with the reproductive health aspects of the country’s efforts in meeting the Millennium Development Goals – specifically those aimed at family planning, reducing maternal and child mortality, preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS, and promoting the empowerment of women and youth. The week-long tour raised an awareness among the participants of the unmet SRH needs of Tanzanians and enabled them to gain an experience on the reality of SRH situation in a developing country.

Steve Chadwick Received PointSeven Campaign Fair Play Awards

Ms. Steve Chadwick, Chair of NZPPD and the Standing Committee on Women of AFPPD

Campaign Fair Play Awards was organized to acknowledge the parties and individuals who contributed towards a healthy debate on reaching the internationally agreed target of 0.7 percent of Gross National Income (GNI) for the Overseas Development Assistance (ODA). Over 80 people attended the ceremony – including ministers, parliamentarians, and members of the media and the NGO communities. The event was hosted by the New Zealand Council for International Development. Ms. Steve Chadwick, Chair of the New Zealand Parliamentarians’ Group on Population and Development (NZPPD), and the Standing Committee on Women of AFPPD, received an award on her role as the Chair of NZPPD. A key strategic focus of NZPPD is to encourage the country’s government to commit to a timetable for allocating 0.7 percent of the GNI for the ODA.

Noeleen Heyzer Appointed Executive Secretary of UNESCAP

Ms. Noeleen Heyzer

Bangkok, July 30: Ms. Noeleen Heyzer of Singapore had been appointed as the Executive Secretary of UNESCAP, with the rank of Under-Secretary General. She is the first woman to head UNESCAP. She was the Executive Director of UNIFEM, a position she held since 1994. Since joining UNIFEM, Ms. Heyzer had worked on strengthening women’s economic security and rights; promoting women’s leadership in conflict resolution, peace-building and governance; ending violence against women; and combating HIV/AIDS from a gender perspective.

UNFPA Urged Leaders’ Commitment to End FGM/C

Addis Ababa, July 31: The UNFPA urged the international community to back its pledge on zero tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) by intensifying advocacy and grassroots interventions, and mobilizing additional resources to combat FGM/C. During the meeting, over 70 experts from across the globe – including from the UN agencies, faith-based and non-governmental organizations, law enforcement agencies, governments, and research institutions – discussed the strategies and adopted a road map to end the harmful practice, along with the related issues of sexual and reproductive health, human rights, and gender.

UNFPA officials (left to right): Mr. Benson Morah, Director of CST-Addis Ababa; Ms. Fama Ba, Director of Africa Division; and Ms. Aminata Toure, Chief of Gender, Culture and Human Rights Branch

During the five-day Global Technical Consultation on FGM/C, Ms. Fama Ba, Director of the Africa Division of UNFPA, said that although a considerable progress had been made in some countries, worrying trends are beginning to emerge. She urged the governments, development partners and communities to recommit themselves to the elimination of FGM/C, because it violates the basic human rights of women and girls, and endangers their health. Ms. Ba commended the organizations that are achieving success through the implementation of innovative strategies based on the dialogues with the community leaders.

Participants at the consultation called on the religious and traditional leaders to dispel misconceptions that are used to justify the harmful traditional practice. In a declaration adopted at the end of the meeting, the participants further urged the leaders to educate their constituencies on the rights of women and girls to a bodily integrity and healthy life, as well as the enjoyment of their sexuality. The participants also expressed concerns at the slow pace of progress, and urged the governments to enact and enforce laws banning any form of FGM/C, to provide adequate resources to scale up its elimination programmes as part of the effective gender equality and women’s empowerment policies and programmes, and to build national capacity law enforcement agents and health providers on counseling and treatment.

New Zealand’s Youth Parliament 2007

Young Parliamentarians in the Making

Ms. Steve Chadwick (center), Chair of NZPPD and Standing Committee on Women of AFPPD, with the participants

Wellington, July 8-11: With support from the Ministry of Youth Development, 121 young people from around New Zealand had been chosen by their local MPs to be Youth MPs. During the Youth Parliament 2007, the Youth MPs had the opportunity to debate a mock bill, engage in a general debate, sit on selected committees and ask parliamentary questions. The event aimed to give the young people the opportunity to have their views heard by the key decision-makers and the public, and to help them to understand and actively participate in the parliamentary processes, learn how to influence the governmental decision-making as active citizens, and understand how the decisions are made.

There was also a contingent of 24 young observers from the Asia-Pacific to learn about the country’s government and to enhance their ability to foster national youth representative mechanisms in their own countries. The young observers were from Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, Myanmar and Solomon Islands. The New Zealand Parliamentarians’ Group on Population and Development (NZPPD) facilitated the training to give the observers an insight into the aims and work of NZPPD, an understanding of the international debate on population and development, and an opportunity to share and implement their learnings on those issues in their home countries. Ms. Naomi Williams, Information and Parliamentary Coordinator of the Family Planning Association International Development in New Zealand, and Ms. Steve Chadwick, Chair of NZPPD and Standing Committee on Women of AFPPD, were both speakers in the training.

An International Youth Participation Workshop and Ministerial Forum followed the training. It culminated in a roundtable discussion with Ms. Nanaia Mahuta, Minister of Youth Affairs The workshop explored youth’s participation in decision-making in the Asia-Pacific region.

 

AFPPD and RHIYA Countries Undertake Studies on Adolescent SRH

Parliamentarians to Monitor Field Activities, a Unique Initiative

UNFPA-Indonesia officials: Mr. Zahidul Huque (right), Representative, and Mr. Samidjo (center), Programme Officer, at the monitoring visit

West Nusa Tengara, July 18-19: The Indonesian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (IFPPD) participated in a joint monitoring visit, with the UNFPA and its partners, to see UNFPA’s field activities. They visited the places where projects under UNFPA were being implemented – such as an Islamic boarding school, a village-integrated health post that offers services on family planning, and a local NGO that focuses on HIV/AIDS prevention and care.

Health Law Amendment

A two-day hearing was also organized by IFPPD on July 18-19 at Jakarta, in relation to the political process of health law amendment. The participants were parliamentarians, public relation officers and health experts. The hearings led to some inputs and recommendations from the participants to accelerate the process of amendment.

Anti-Trafficking Law Workshop

On July 12, the IFPPD organized a workshop on “Policy to Prevent Trafficking in Persons” at East Nusa Tenggara. The workshop aimed to increase the understanding and knowledge of parliamentarians at the provincial and district levels on prevention against trafficking. Outcomes of the event included the dissemination of anti-trafficking law to the public, allocation of a local budget for the implementation of law and mapping of trafficking issues.

Tobacco Control Law in the Making

To disseminate the information on the urgency of having a national law on tobacco control, IFPPD organized a series of interactive radio talk shows on tobacco control issues from June 21 to July 19 in Jakarta. The resource persons in the talk shows were Ms. Rita Damayanti from the Health Research Institute of the University of Indonesia; Mr. Farid Anfasa Moeloek, Chair of the National Commission on Smoking Control and former Minister of Health; Mr. Tulus Abadi from the Consumers’ Organization; Mr. Atte Sugandi, MP; and Mr. Hakim Sorimuda Pohan, MP and Vice-Chair of IFPPD. The talk shows were interactive, where listeners and resource persons could communicate through telephone calls and short message services. Listeners hoped that the same talk shows could be continued to advocate to the public, and in general, that they wanted to have tobacco control legislation which could protect the young generation from consuming tobacco products.

Do not Ignore Family Planning

World Bank Warns Donors

Population Issues in the 21st Century: The Role of the World Bank

A newly released World Bank report, “Population Issues in the 21st Century: The Role of the World Bank”, warned the developing nations, that the donors and aid agencies are ignoring the ability of family planning and contraception to boost economic growth and to reduce poverty. Donors have not lived up to their promises to support family planning programmes in the poor countries. As a result, the shortage of contraceptive supplies poses a growing problem.

Global funds and initiatives have largely bypassed the funding of family planning – less attention is being focused on the consequences of high fertility, even in those countries that are lagging in achieving the sustainable population growth. High birth rates are strongly linked with endemic poverty, poor education, and high numbers of maternal and infant deaths.

In the 35 countries of sub-Sahara region, most women give birth to more than five children. Also, getting birth control supplies to the clinics and pharmacies in rural areas was a problem in many poor countries. And of the estimated 210 million women worldwide who become pregnant every year, more than 500,000 women die during pregnancy and childbirth, and about one in five of them resorts to abortion because of the poor access to contraception – 68,000 women die each year due to the unsafe abortions, 5.3 million suffer disability and many face being ostracized within their own communities.

According to the report, a factor limiting the contraceptive supplies is the inadequate state of logistics in many poor countries. Changing household behaviors are also recognized as vital for the increasing use of family planning programmes. Social and cultural factors such as the disapproval by the family and communities, and men’s roles in deciding the family size can deter women who are interested in the family planning. Providers and even programmes may deny such care to the vulnerable groups, like the unmarried adolescents.

MDG Officials Meet Indonesian Parliamentarians

Jakarta, August 14: The IFPPD, together with the Indonesian parliamentarians – Ms. Mariani Akib Baramuli, Ms. Tuti Loekman Soetrisno and Ms. Maryamah Nugraha Besoes – met with Mr. Minar Pimple, Deputy Director of the Asia Millennium Campaign, and Ms. Erna Witoelar, Ambassador of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) in Asia-Pacific, to discuss on the national committee’s actions related to the MDGs’ achievements, the establishment of a parliamentarians’ caucus on MDGs to bridge the parliament to the other institutions, and the recommendations of MDG-related laws.

IPPF President Meets AFPPD Secretary General

Left to right: Dr. Prat Boonyawongvirot, MP (Thailand), Secretary General of AFPPD and Permanent Secretary of the Thai Ministry of Public Health and IPPF officials, Ms. Jacqueline Sharpe, President, and Ms. Raj Karim, Regional Director

Sharpe, President of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), with Ms. Raj Karim, Regional Director of IPPF, visited Thailand and met with Dr. Prat Boonyawongvirot, MP (Thailand), Secretary General of AFPPD and Permanent Secretary of the Thai Ministry of Public Health. A dinner reception was hosted by AFPPD and the Planned Parenthood Association of Thailand (PPAT), and attended by officials from UNFPA, UNESCAP, Planned Parenthood Federation of America and other agencies. Mr. Montri Pekanan, Deputy Executive Director of PPAT, briefed Ms. Sharpe on the programmes of PPAT in Thailand.

‘Let’s Talk About Sex’

ARHA officials: Ms. Jane Singleton (left), Chief Executive Officer, and Ms. Jenny Goldie (3rd from left), Manager of Policy and Advocacy. Senator Kerry Nettle (4th from left) and Hon. Tanya Plibersek (6th from left), Shadow Minister for Women and Youth, together with the participants

International Health Partnership on MDGs and Healthcare,
a New Initiative

London, August 22: The British Prime Minister, H.E. Gordon Brown, and the German Chancellor, H.E. Angela Merkel, announced an international health partnership designed to help achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) for healthcare - addressing healthcare and aid provision is now a ‘development emergency’. The partnership included the major donor countries and key international agencies that help to reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, and combat HIV/AIDS. Ms. Thoraya Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA, who had worked behind the scene to make this initiative a reality, welcomed the announcement.

DATES TO REMEMBER

• Central Asian Parliamentarians Conference by AFPPD in September 20-22 at Astana, Kazakhstan
  
• Final Review Meeting of Reproductive Health Initiative for Youth in Asia in September 28 at Brussels, Belgium
• Women Deliver International Conference in October 18-20 at London, UK
• 4th Asia-Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights in October 29-31 at Hyderabad, India
• Meeting of Asian Parliamentarians on Achieving the MDGs by AFPPD in November 6-7 at Bangkok, Thailand
• 5th Asian Women Parliamentarians’ and Ministers’ Conference by AFPPD in November 27-28 at Beijing, China