news@apro

Monthly update from UNFPA in Asia and the Pacifi c

Nepal
APRIL 2011
IN THIS ISSUE

Commits Activists Call for Intensified

Efforts to End Fistula in Pakistan

to Post-Conflict
page 3

100th International Women’s

Support and Day Marked in Thailand
page 4
Participation Iranian Demographer, African
Research Institution, Win 2011
page 2 United Nations Population
Award
page 5

Statement by UNFPA Executive

Director Babatunde Osotimehin
on Japanese Earthquakes and
Tsunami
page 5

Mongolian Government and UN

Sign Development Assistance
Framework for 2012-2016
page 6

UN in Myanmar Identifies
Strategic Priorities for the Future
page 6

Luxembourg Provides EUR8.1

Million to Promote Maternal and
Child Health in Lao PDR
page 8

VIDEO: Cool Women

page 9
Photo: William A. Ryan/UNFPA

PUBLICATION: Integrating
Reproductive Rights into the
Work of National Human Rights
Institutions of the Asia Pacific
Region
page 9
 news@apro
Nepal Commits to Post-Conflict Support and Participation
Global launch of National Action Plan at the Commission on the Status of Women
Photo: Martin Lerberg Fossum/Norway UN Mission
Purnima Mane, Deputy Executive Director of UNFPA, speaks at the global
launch of Nepal’s National Action Plan.
UNITED NATIONS, New York - The United Nations
Security Council, in resolutions 1325 and 1820,
recognized that women and girls need protection and
support during and following all conflicts, and called
for women’s full participation in peacebuilding.
These landmark resolutions, which link women’s
experiences of conflict to the maintenance of
international peace and security, are important
indicators of international opinion. But the real test
of the resolutions is how they impact women on the
ground.
Nepal is the first country in South Asia to adopt a
National Action Plan on women, peace and security.
The plan was launched on the international stage on
23 February during the Commission on the Status
of Women at an event hosted jointly by UNFPA, the
Permanent Missions of Nepal and Norway to the UN,
and UN Women.
Partners in peace and reconciliation
Activists who helped draft the action plan are
hopeful that it will give women a stronger voice in
Nepal’s reconstruction, and above all, will make a
real difference in the lives of those most affected by
the conflict: women who, up to now, have not gotten
the support they urgently need.
UNFPA has been has been an active partner in the
peace and reconciliation process in the country
2
and was intimately involved in developing the NAP
through technical and budgetary assistance to the
Nepalese government and civil society. The Royal
Norwegian Embassy chaired the peace support
working group, which UNFPA co-chaired.
“UNFPA will continue to expand its partnership with
the government of Nepal to realize the goals as stated
under this plan,” said Purnima Mane, UNFPA Deputy
Executive Director (Programme) at the launch.
“Our contributions in this area are a major part of our
leading role within the UN System in line with our
commitment on achieving the MDGs, the ICPD and
Beijing Conference goals, and various international
human rights instruments,” she added.
A legacy of violence
A recent UNFPA video (http://www.youtube.com/user/
UNFPAasia#p/u/2/6AAcHmXawIo) discusses the new
action plan, and the urgent need for it. During Nepal’s
armed conflict between Government and Maoist
forces, women and girls throughout the country
endured severe hardship. Thousands of mothers
struggled to provide for their families after their
husbands were killed or fled the fighting. Some young
women were forced into service, leaving emotional
scars long after the fighting stopped. Many others
were subjected to brutality including sexual violence.
Perpetrators were rarely brought to justice. The 2006
peace accord ended the decade-long war but not the
suffering and discrimination.
Aiming for redress
A key aim was give reparations and justice to the
victims, and empower and give women meaningful
participation in the government. The plan outlines
measures to promote greater participation by women
in Nepal’s peace process, supported by steps to raise
public awareness on gender equality. It recognizes the
need to provide support and services including health
care to those who have been disadvantaged by the
conflict. And it calls for training for officials and police
in addressing sexual violence.
There is also a commitment to meet the special
needs of females who fought in the conflict. Former
combatants who were recruited as child soldiers, were
discharged in 2010. To help them reintegrate in society,
the UN provided counselling and job skills training.
 Monthly update from UNFPA in Asia and the Pacifi c
Activists Call for Intensified Efforts to End Fistula in Pakistan
After a successful fistula repair operation, Shamim, 26, was released from a hospital in Qatar. After three pregnancies that ended in still-born babies, she
and her husband now have adopted a baby girl.
KARACHI, Pakistan - At least 150,000 women in
Pakistan suffer from obstetric fistula - damage to
the bladder or large intestine caused by obstructed
labour. Because of fistula, they leak urine and/or
feces uncontrollably. Every year, six thousand more
Pakistani women develop this condition. Only 800
are treated with corrective surgery. The rest face a
life of stigma and exclusion from their communities.
They become social outcasts.
“The government will establish a National Task
Force on Fistula to move from a campaign-based
to a permanent service-based approach for the
management of this stark health challenge,” said Dr.
Assad Hafeez, a Director-General in the Ministry
of Health, during a regional fistula conference in
Karachi on 4-6 March.
The conference brought together 3,000 activists,
including 11 international fistula surgeons. It covered
a range of issues, from safe motherhood to social
reintegration of fistula survivors, providing an
opportunity to reach consensus on priorities and
draw attention to the linkages between fistula
and poverty, inequality, gender disparity and poor
education. The participating surgeons also operated
on complex fistula cases while they were in Pakistan.
Government officials at the conference stressed that
fistula should be addressed as a matter of human
3
APRIL 2011
Photo: Wendy Marijnissen/UNFPA
rights and social justice. “Women with fistula are
looked down upon and many are divorced because
of this condition, even though fistula is not directly
linked to death and can be successfully repaired
by a trained surgeon,” Dr. Hafeez said. “If we don’t
play a more proactive role - providing basic health
care and training more competent staff on safe
motherhood and emergency obstetrical care - we
won’t be able to help thousands of women who
suffer from fistula,” he added.
Seven regional centres have already been established
in major cities, along with seven referral centres in
government-owned teaching hospitals. They provide
fistula treatment free of charge, including the cost of
transportation and accommodation, making access
to care easier for women. But it’s not enough. The
UNFPA Representative in Pakistan, Mr. Rabbi Royan,
called for intensified effort, political commitment,
additional resources, and strengthened collaboration
among government departments, community groups,
NGOs, UN agencies and health professionals to end
fistula in Pakistan.
Conference participants designated March 21st as
Fistula Awareness Day in Pakistan. Commemorated
for the first time in the country, the event was co-
hosted by the Spouses of the Heads of Mission from
Australia, Canada, France, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey,
United Kingdom and the United States.
 news@apro
100th International Women’s Day Marked in Thailand
Celebration highlights struggle for equal rights and empowerment
A university student from Bangkok writing her message on a wall for the International Women’s Day.
BANGKOK - Promoting equal access to education,
sexual and reproductive health services, and
employment opportunities is crucial to ensuring
gender equality and women’s empowerment,
according to the presenters at the regional launch
of the International Women’s Day on 8 March.
They stressed that investing in women and girls
has a positive impact on the well-being of families,
communities and the economy.
Attended by UN officials, government
representatives, women’s rights advocates and youth
representatives, this year’s celebration marked the
centenary of the first International Women’s Day.
With the theme “Equal access to education, training
and science and technology: Pathway to decent work
for women”, the event highlighted the economic,
political, and social achievements of women in the
past 100 years across the globe and in the region.
While progress has been made in implementing
laws advancing gender equality, women and girls
still face barriers in exercising their rights. Many still
endure unacceptable discrimination, violence and
exploitation.
“In Asia, women and girls are often perceived as
second class citizens. They are only expected to help
out with household chores like cleaning and cooking,
rather than voicing and advocating for rights,” said
presenter Thaw Zin Aye of 7Sisters, a coalition
representing young people from key populations
affected by HIV across the Asia-Pacific region. “If the
4
Photo: Philip Nalangan/UNFPA
society thinks like that, what about women and girls
living with or vulnerable to HIV. How will they be
treated?”
When AIDS first emerged in the 1980s, most
of those affected were men. But today, women
account for nearly half of all people living with
HIV worldwide. According to UNAIDS estimates,
the number of HIV-positive women and girls has
increased in every region over the past two years,
with rates rising most rapidly in Asia, Eastern Europe
and Latin America.
Women continue to be underrepresented in
education and the labour market. By some estimates,
women hold only 20 per cent of science and
technology job globally.
“It’s hard to be a woman,” said Chayaporn, a network
engineer at an information technology company in
Bangkok. “Despite modernity, discrimination against
women still exists in the workplace. To earn trust and
respect from men, I need to work harder.”
In contrast, 14-year-old Disha, who plans to study
biology in college, said she has been very lucky to
choose her education, an option many girls her age
do not have. “I encourage young people, particularly
girls, to have stronger voice to raise issues that
affect them. Our voices are being heard and things
are gradually changing,” said Disha. “Despite all the
issues plaguing us, I think that being a young women
in the 21st century is exciting.”
 Monthly update from UNFPA in Asia and the Pacifi c
Iranian Demographer, African Research Institution, Win 2011 United Nations
Population Award
UNITED NATIONS, New York - An Iranian
demographer, Mohammad Jalal Abbasi-Shavazi,
and an African research institution, L’Institut de
Formation et de Recherche Démographique, were
announced on 9 March as winners of the 2011
United Nations Population Award. The Award is
given annually to individuals and institutions for
outstanding work in population and in improving the
health of individuals.
The Award Committee, chaired by Egypt’s
Ambassador to the United Nations, Maged A.
Abdelaziz, consists of 10 United Nations Member
States, with UNFPA, the United Nations Population
Fund, as its secretariat. The Award is scheduled to
be presented on 16 June at a ceremony at the United
Nations.
Mr. Abbasi-Shavazi, Chairman of the Division of
Population Research at the University of Tehran since
2001, has a long career in teaching, demographic
research and advisory and policy services, according
to information submitted to the Award Committee.
His focus is on population and development,
reproductive health and fertility, immigration and
refugees. He has contributed to the understanding of
the dynamics of Iran’s fertility decline, which showed
that improving women’s education and status and
their access to reproductive health care has led to
smaller family sizes.
Mr. Abbasi-Shavazi, who holds a PhD in Demography
from the Australian National University, has
promoted the view that social, economic and
cultural differences among countries are more
important than religion as explanations of fertility
differentials, according to information submitted to
the Committee. He has also been a bridge between
international demographers and Iranian scholars to
study the rapid Iranian fertility decline.
Established in 1972, IFORD has been the leading
institution for training, research and technical
assistance in the field of population, serving 26
countries in Africa and the Indian Ocean, according
to information submitted to the Committee. Its
mandate focuses on offering technical support and
training to African teams in the field of population
and development, and on conducting research
relevant to the understanding of African population
issues.
5
APRIL 2011
IFORD, which is based in Cameroon, has a
continuous programme of research in sexual and
reproductive health, gender and demographic issues,
migration, and the linkages between population, the
environment and development. It assists African
countries in conducting their population censuses,
establishing local research activities, providing
local training, creating and managing databases,
and advising in the formulation and evaluation of
population policies. It has so far trained more than
500 African demographers.
The United Nations Economic and Social Council
elects countries to the Award Committee for
three-year terms. Currently, these members are:
Bangladesh, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Ghana,
Guatemala, Jamaica, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Norway
and the United Republic of Tanzania. The United
Nations Secretary-General and the UNFPA Executive
Director are ex-officio members.
Statement by UNFPA Executive
Director Babatunde Osotimehin on
Japanese Earthquakes and Tsunami
UNITED NATIONS,
New York - On
behalf of UNFPA,
the United Nations
Population Fund,
I express our
deepest sympathy
to the people and
Government of
Japan following the catastrophic earthquakes and
tsunami. We are shocked and saddened by the
death of thousands of people and the widespread
destruction, and present our heartfelt condolences to
the bereaved nation.
In a spirit of solidarity, we join the United Nations
Secretary General in standing by the Japanese
people, ready to join the international community’s
efforts in extending all possible assistance.
 news@apro
Mongolian Government and UN Sign Development Assistance Framework
for 2012-2016
ULAANBAATAR - The Mongolian Government Mongolia, the organization is proud to work with the
and the UN signed the United Nations Development government in implementing the UNDAF from 2012
Assistance Framework (UNDAF) for 2012-2016 to 2016.
at a ceremony held on 17 March at the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade, attended by government
officials, ministers, representatives of UN agencies,
development partners and the media.

The UNDAF is a strategic programming framework

of the UN system to support the achievement of
the national development priorities contained in
Mongolia’s Comprehensive National Development
Strategy for 2008-2015, as well as the achievement
of the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. It has
been developed through a partnership between the
UN system, the government, and the civil society,
following a comprehensive analysis of development
issues in Mongolia.

Through UNDAF, the UN system will work with the

government, civil society and other development
partners on four strategic priorities:

1. Economic development is inclusive and

equitable contributing towards poverty
alleviation
2. Equitable access to, and utilization of, quality
basic social services and sustainable social
protection
3. Improved sustainability of natural resources
management, and resilience of ecosystems and
vulnerable populations to the changing climate
4. Strengthened governance for protection of
human rights and reduction of disparities
The UNDAF was signed by H.E. Gombojav
Zandanshatar, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade,
on behalf of the government, and by Sezin Sinanoglu,
UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident
Representative in Mongolia. The document was
also signed by representatives of other UN agencies
present in Mongolia: UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, WHO,
FAO, ILO, UNESCO, UN Habitat, UNAIDS, UNHCR,
UNV, UNEP, UNIDO and IAEA.
At the signing ceremony of the UNDAF,
Zandanshatar highlighted the importance of
cooperation between the government and the
UN system in effectively supporting the country’s
development. Meanwhile, Sinanoglu said that
with UN’s long history of good cooperation with
Photo: UNDP
Sezin Sinanoglu (left), UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident
Representative in Mongolia, shaking hands with H.E. Gombojav
Zandanshatar (right), Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade
UN in Myanmar Identifies Strategic
Priorities for the Future
YANGON - Four strategic priorities and key
elements of the new Strategic Framework for the
United Nations in Myanmar were presented on 15
March at the monthly Humanitarian Partnership
Group meeting, attended by over 80 experts, heads
of missions and UN agencies, diplomats and aid
workers.
The priorities, which are the result of extensive
analysis of humanitarian and development
challenges in the country, will guide UN engagement
and programming and form the basis of a new
Strategic Framework for the period 2012-2015.
“The UN Strategic Framework aims to be a
collective, coherent and integrated programming
next page

6
 Monthly update from UNFPA in Asia and the Pacifi c
and monitoring framework for UN contributions
in Myanmar, based on the UN’s comparative
advantages. The UN Strategic Framework is based on
the analyses of the country’s situation, development
challenges that it faces and opportunities ahead of
it,” said Bishow Parajuli, UN Resident/Humanitarian
Coordinator, who chaired the meeting.
The UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator
explained that consultations had been held with focal
points from all relevant government ministries, the
latest in February. Based on these consultations it
had been agreed that UN engagement would focus
on four Strategic Priorities, namely:
1. Encourage inclusive growth (both rural and
urban), including agricultural development and
enhancement of employment opportunities
2. Increase equitable access to quality social
services
3. Reduce vulnerability to natural disasters and
climate change
4. Promote good governance and strengthen
democratic institutions and rights
Under the Strategic Framework, UN agencies,
funds and programmes in Myanmar, as well as
non-resident agencies, regional commissions
and other UN entities, will work with common
goals and objectives and in partnership with
development partners to meet the socioeconomic
and humanitarian needs of the people of Myanmar.
A joint UN Action Plan will follow the UN Strategic
Framework document.
“In implementing the UN Strategic Framework,
continued consultations with all stakeholders will
be critical to regularly and systematically review
the progress towards the four Strategic Priorities.
The UN will continue to engage with all partners, to
ensure that true progress is made, including towards
achieving the Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs) in Myanmar, which remains a top priority,”
said Parajuli and added that despite progress in some
areas, Myanmar must accelerate its efforts if the
MDGs and their targets are to be fully realized by
2015.
Some concrete examples of how joint programmes
will be developed, in line with the new priorities
and in support of the MDGs, were presented at
the meeting by Mohamed Abdel-Ahad, UNFPA
7
APRIL 2011
Representative and Chair of the MDG Monitoring &
Evaluation Group in Myanmar.
“In line with the UN Secretary-General’s Global
Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health to
accelerate achievement of health MDGs, UNFPA,
UNICEF and WHO are currently developing a joint
programme to address unmet needs for maternal
and child health care in Myanmar with support from
AusAid. Another example is a joint programme to
strengthen data systems and bridge data gaps on
MDGs, which is currently being explored by the
MDG Monitoring & Evaluation Group and UNESCAP.
More will emerge as we move forward with the
strategic planning progress,” said Abdel-Ahad.
The Myanmar Humanitarian Partnership Group
meeting also included an update on recovery efforts
in the areas affected by Cyclone Giri, which struck
Myanmar’s Rakhine State on 20 October 2010,
affecting the lives of some 260,000 people.
International donors have provided USD 40
million for relief and early recovery, which are now
benefitting the people affected by the cyclone. As
of February 2011, a total of USD 50.2 million were
needed for recovery activities, according to the Post-
Giri Consolidated Action Plan jointly prepared by UN
and NGOs working in the affected townships.
The meeting also applauded the recent substantial
increase in aid from the United Kingdom. According
to an announcement from the Department for
International Development (DFID) last week, the
UK will spend an average of £46 million (USD 75
million) per year in Myanmar until 2015.
The need to look at long-term solutions to the
water and sanitation problem in Myanmar was
highlighted in a presentation by the Water, Sanitation
and Hygiene (WASH) Working Group, which is
comprised of both UN agencies and international
and local non-governmental organizations.
Recent assessments have shown that the WASH
response to Cyclone Giri was quick with a coverage
of more than 80 percent. In the Ayeyarwady Delta,
still affected by the effects of the 2008 Cyclone
Nargis, access to water and sanitation has improved
compared with the previous two years. Nevertheless,
water shortage may need to be addressed in the latter
part of the dry season in many parts of the country.
 news@apro
Luxembourg Provides EUR8.1 Million to Promote Maternal and Child Health
in Lao PDR
Totaling EUR8.1 million, the funds will be utilized for over five years to support the Ministry of Health’s National Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health
Services Strategy in Lao PDR.
VIENTIANE - Efforts to improve the health of
women and children living in remote areas of Lao
PDR have been given an important boost with the
signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
between the Government of Lao PDR and the Grand
Duchy of Luxembourg.
The MoU was signed at a ceremony on 4 March by
the Minister of Health, Dr Ponmek Dalaloy, and the
Luxembourg Minister for Development Cooperation
and Humanitarian Affairs, Marie-Josee Jacobs.
Attending the ceremony were senior representatives
of the four UN agencies - UNICEF, WFP, WHO
and UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund -
whose joint programme will utilize the funds totaling
EUR8.1 million over five years to support the Ministry
of Health’s National Maternal, Neonatal and Child
Health Services Strategy.
“This programme will make a significant contribution
towards reducing mortality rates among mothers,
newborns and young children, as well as helping
tackle the alarming levels of malnutrition found
among too many women and children,” said Dr
Dalaloy. “As such it also brings us an important step
closer towards Lao PDR’s Millennium Development
Goal targets.”
Eighteen districts in five provinces - Phongsaly,
Luang Namtha, Luangprabang, Oudomxay and
Savannakhet - have been selected to receive the
support, based on criteria such as the prevailing high
8
Photo: Diego De La Rosa/UNFPA
rates of disease and stunting among children, and
low utilization of existing health facilities.
Currently, less than 20 per cent of women have
the benefit of a skilled birth attendant when they
give birth, and up to three Lao women die every
day during pregnancy or childbirth. Infant mortality
rates have improved, but remain high, at 70 per
1,000 live births. Malnutrition data is scarcely more
encouraging. There has been almost no change in
the rate of stunting since 2000, at 40.4 per cent
of children under five. Over 40 per cent of children
aged 6-59 months are anaemic.
To prevent stunting, specialized nutrition products
will be given to children from 6 to 23 months of
age who are in danger of becoming chronically
malnourished. In addition, the Luxembourg
contribution will be used to provide food to pregnant
women as an incentive for them to access health
facilities, and to ensure nutrition education for
women of child-bearing age and other caregivers.
As well as improving the quality of health services
delivered to communities, the financial support from
the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg will help strengthen
the planning and district-level management of the
Government’s package of Integrated Maternal and
Neonatal Child Health (MNCH) services. Support
will also be given to improving awareness and
understanding of health issues at community level,
and promoting demand among families for the
next page
 Monthly update from UNFPA in Asia and the Pacifi c
MNCH services provided by the Government of Lao
PDR.
“Under the Lao-Luxembourg Health Sector Support
Programme, we are already providing assistance to
mothers and newborns throughout the country,” said
Minister Jacobs, “but we felt that we could do a lot
more and further expand the outreach of healthcare
with the help of the UN system.”
The Minister pointed that the needs were substantial
- especially in remote areas and among ethnic
minorities. She added: “However, we are confident
that under the leadership of the Ministry of Health
and the combined expertise of UNICEF, WFP,
WHO and UNFPA, our joint action will significantly
contribute to help the Government of Lao PDR in
meeting its development objectives and in particular
MDGs 1, 4 and 5.”
The MoU underlines the specific contributions of
each of the four UN agencies, all of whom have
long records of cooperation with the Government
in Lao PDR. Combining the efforts of the various
UN agencies, says the document, “offers a number
of comparative advantages to the MoH including
supporting health system strengthening, offering
opportunities for coordinated and comprehensive
technical leadership and coordination of the
development partner community, whilst at the
same time supporting government leadership and
governance.”
LATEST VIDEO
Cool Women
This video presents the stories of five independent
women from Maldives: Aishath, an artist; Zareena,
a yam grower, Shakeeba, a taxi driver; Amira, a
religious leader; and Aminath, an office worker.
Video: UNFPA Maldives and Thirees Nuvaeh
Link: http://www.youtube.com/unfpaasia#p/u/0/XQeTvYL8nB0
UNFPA Asia-Pacific Regional Office, 4th Floor UN Service Building, Rajdamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
APRIL 2011
NEW PUBLICATION
Integrating Reproductive Rights into
the Work of National Human Rights
Institutions of the Asia Pacific
Region
Reproduction is
an elemental, life-
changing common
experience for much
of humanity. Yet
each year, more than
120 million couples
have an unmet need
for contraception,
80 million women
have unintended
pregnancies (45
million of which end
in abortion), and more
than half a million
women are estimated to die from complications
associated with pregnancy, childbirth and the
postpartum period.
One might expect that reproductive rights
would have a correspondingly important place
in international human rights law and practice.
However, this is not the current position. Thus
far, reproductive rights have been little discussed
and are often poorly understood. Many aspects
of reproductive rights remain unsettled and
controversial. As a result, reproductive rights have
tended to occupy a marginalized position in the
international human rights landscape.
National human rights institutions are now
recognized as a major force for protection and
promotion of human rights at the domestic
level - in many cases helping to lessen the
“implementation gap’’ between international rules
and standards, and the practice of human rights
on the ground. This report focuses on reproductive
rights and the extent to which these rights are,
or could be, integrated into the work of national
human rights institutions. It analyzes the current
work practices and views of these institutions, and
the major challenges and risks they face in dealing
effectively with the issue.
http://asiapacific.unfpa.org/public/pid/7484
For more information, visit http://asiapacific.unfpa.org