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INFORMATION SERVICE
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The AFPPD E-mail Information Service is issued every month to subscribers in order to provide information and news on AFPPD members' and other parliamentarians' activities around the world. If you are interested in subscribing to AFPPD's e-mail information service, please contact AFPPD's Secretariat |
August/September 2005
Population activists win in Japan
Mr. Yoshio Yatsu, Chairman of AFPPD, Dr. Taro Nakayama, Chairman of IMPO, Mr. Yasuo Fukuda, and many other members of the Japanese Parliamentarians Federation on Population (JPFP) won the recent general election in Japan. Several women have also been elected.
UN World Summit includes gender equality and reproductive health
Women’s rights protection has gained advancement at the UN World Summit in New York, despite the lack of meaningful action on the total package under debate. The scope of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on gender equality has been expanded from an initial focus on primary education to include an end to impunity for violence against women, universal access to reproductive health, the right to own and inherit property, equal access to labor protections, and increased representation of women in the government decision-making bodies. World leaders also agreed to repeal all laws that discriminate against women and to implement the Security Council Resolution 1325 which promotes women’s enhanced participation in peace and security processes.
Person-to-person advocacy program acknowledged
The five-country person-to-person advocacy program, funded by the Hewlett foundation, has received acknowledgement from the UNFPA country offices. The program was conducted in Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Laos, and India. Parliamentarians met on a one-on-one basis to discuss population and development issues and to stimulate their interest and level of knowledge on these issues. An AFPPD evaluation, conducted by an independent consultant, called the program an innovative and effective way to engage the parliamentarians’ interest.
AFPPD-UNESCAP-IOM migration seminar in Bangkok
The UNESCAP, IOM, and AFPPD organized a regional seminar on social implication of migration at the UNCC in Bangkok from August 24 to 26, 2005. The seminar was attended by government officials, parliamentarians, and experts.
AFPPD at GTZ HIV/AIDS meeting in Berlin
The GTZ Germany organized a conference, entitled “HIV in dialogue”, in Berlin, Germany. The AFPPD sponsored Senator Jon Ungphakorn of Thailand, an activist on HIV/AIDS and a recipient of the 2005 Magsaysay Award, to attend the conference. He made a forceful plea for the better resources for HIV/AIDS.
APRSH in Kuala Lumpur gains momentum
The 3rd Asian-Pacific Reproductive and Sexual Health Conference (APRSH), to be held in Kuala Lumpur from November 17 to 21, 2005, is now gaining momentum. This is a gathering of regional, national, and grass-roots organizations. About 1,500 NGO workers from Asia and the Pacific are expected to attend. The keynote speakers include Dr. Thoraya Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA, and Dr. Steven Sinding, Director General of IPPF. The AFPPD will also organize a parliamentarians panel and invite the parliamentarian committees to organize poster presentations. Some scholarships will be available.
ADB-UNESCAP-UNDP launch of MDGs Report
Ms. Lilibelle Austriaco, an AFPPD Programme Associate, attended the launch of the UN MDGs II Report, entitled “A Future within Reach”, in Manila, the Philippines. The report was presented by Mr. Kim-Hak Su, Executive Director of UNESCAP. Mr. Geert van der Linden, Vice-President of ADB, Mr. Hafiz Pasha, UNDP Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, New York, and several senior government officials also addressed the launch.
Indian Health Minister laments lack of sex education
Indian Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss urged his colleagues from states to be aware of the significance of sex education for students. As some ministers from North India opposed the introduction of sex education in schools during a two-day debate over the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) in Delhi, Ramadoss voiced his concerns for the lack of sex education in the country. “With a population of over one billion and growing, we still don’t want to talk sex….We have sex but still do not talk about it,” said Ramadoss. The NCF acknowledges the importance of imparting information on sex and sexuality depending on the age of the child. It states, “There is a growing realization that the health needs of adolescents, particularly their reproductive and sexual health needs, require to be addressed at the Upper Primary stage so that they can cope with concerns related to the process of growing up.”
Equal property rights for women in India
A milestone legislation to give women in India equal rights in inheritance of property has been passed by the Indian Upper House. In a voice vote, the bill received massive support from the House members. Indian Law Minister H. R. Bhardwaj said he was ready to put forward another bill to stop domestic violence against women which was a “very important piece of legislation with far-reaching consequences” and the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi was keen on reviewing any gender-biased bills.
China modifies women's rights protection law
The draft amendment to the law on women's rights protection has been adopted by the Standing Committee of the 10th National People's Congress (NPC). For the first time, prohibition of sexual harassment was included in China's law and gender equality was designated as one of the country's basic national policies. The amendment, to be effective from December 1, 2005, onwards, will also empower women to lodge harassment complaints to relevant organizations.
The rights of women and girls must be central in Australia’s UN statement
The Australian Reproductive Health Alliance (ARHA), the International Women’s Development Agency, Sexual Health and Family Planning Australia, and Marie Stopes International Australia called on the Australian government to stand firm at the UN World Summit on the commitments it has made to the human rights of women and girls through gender equality, women’s empowerment, and the promotion and protection of the human rights including the reproductive rights of women and girls in achieving sustainable development. “Australia must reject any efforts to undermine any discussion on the MDGs and reaffirm the August 5 Draft Summit Outcome Document, particularly in regard to universal access to sexual and reproductive health,” said Ms. Christina Richards, the ARHA Chief Executive Officer.
Eighth General Assembly of AFPPD
The 8th triennial General Assembly of the AFPPD has been scheduled to take place from November 12 to 13, 2005, in Jakarta, Indonesia. President of Indonesia and Executive Director of UNFPA will address the Assembly.
