MEDIA SUMMARY
MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS FEBRUARY
1 - 15, 2010
TOP STORIES
Women's Health Remains
in Peril Following Haiti Earthquake: Multiple media outlets
reported and published blogs January 31-February 3 on the ongoing
response to Haiti's January 12 earthquake. Most medical facilities
still focus on the seriously injured, but women still need help
delivering their babies at home. ''We want to make sure that they
have the basic equipment they need," said Wilma Doedens,
UNFPA technical adviser on reproductive health. Read: IPS, UN
News Centre, Women's eNews and Huffington Post
Obama Budget Increases
Funds for Global Health: The Wall Street Journal reported
January 31 and February 2 and NPR reported February 2 on shifts
in U.S. global health policy under President Obama's proposed
2011 budget. The proposal included a 9 percent increase in funds
for global health, with new provisions for maternal and reproductive
health and a focus on efforts to strengthen health systems. Read:
NPR, Wall Street Journal(February 2) and Wall Street Journal (January
31)
Calls for Sexuality
Education Research Follow Abstinence Study:Multiple media
outlets published op-eds, columns and editorials February 5-10
in reaction to a study finding that one abstinence-focused program
was effective in delaying sexual activity. The New York Times
noted that the program studied would not have fit the ideological
requirements used by the Bush administration, and praised President
Barack Obama for "supporting a range of programs to prevent
teenage pregnancy, provided they are based on rigorous science."
The editorial declared, "This study fits the new rubric,
not the old." Read: Chicago Sun-Times, Concord Monitor, The
New York Times and Atlanta Journal-Constitution
UN Officials Call
for End to Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: Multiple media
outlets reported February 5-10 on calls by UN officials for a
global the end to female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), as
the UN marked the International Day for the Eradication of FGM/C
and Yemen explored new restrictions. In a joint statement, Thoraya
Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director of the UNFPA, the United Nations
Population Fund, joined Ann M. Veneman, executive director of
UNICEF, in crediting community involvement for recent progress
in eliminating the practice. Read: The New Times, IRIN and Associated
Press
OTHER NOTEWORTHY ARTICLES AND OPINIONS BY SUBJECT
Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
Canada to Push G8
to Act on Maternal Mortality: Multiple media outlets published
op-eds and columns February 4-15 applauding the Canadian government's
announcement that maternal and child health will be a priority
for the upcoming summer meeting in Ontario of the heads of the
world's eight most developed economies. Read: Ottawa Citizen and
National Post
Female Condom Is
Effective, Under-Used: CBS reported February 11 that despite
proven effectiveness in reducing the risk of unintended pregnancies
and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS, the female
condom has not gained widespread popularity. Read: CBS
Emergency Contraceptive
Access Expanded on U.S. Military Bases: The Chattanooga Times
Free Press published an editorial February 9 praising a U.S. Department
of Defense decision to allow distribution of emergency contraceptives
on military bases around the world. Read: Chattanooga Times Free
Press
Northern Ireland
to Revise Abortion Guidelines: The Irish News reported February
10 that following a legal challenge by abortion rights opponents,
Ireland's Department of Health announced it would revise guidelines
for health providers on abortion services.
Contraceptive Use
Increases in Rwanda: The New Times reported February 15 that,
according to data collected from health facilities, contraceptive
prevalence in Rwanda has nearly doubled - from 31 percent to 51
percent - since 2007. Read: The New Times
Ghana's Maternal
Mortality Rate Remains High:Joy Online reported February 15
that despite efforts to promote maternal health, Ghana's maternal
mortality ratio remains high. The Midwifery Advisor of UNFPA in
Ghana, Fredrica Enyonam Hanson, blamed persistent gender inequities
and a lack of attention to sexual and reproductive health. Read:
Joy Online
Philippine Government
Defends Condom Distribution: AFP reported February 14 that
despite condemnation by representatives of the Catholic Church,
the Philippine government has stood by a Valentine's Day free
condom distribution program. Read: AFP
Ethiopia's President
Calls for Reproductive Health Investment: Afrique en Ligne
reported February 11 that Girma Woldegiorgis, the President of
Ethiopia, opened the Fourth Africa Conference on Sexual Health
and Rights with a call for new investment in reproductive health
services. Read: Afrique en Ligne
Pakistan Midwives
Gain Training, Recognition: IPS reported February 8 on a UNICEF
program to provide training to community midwives as part of an
effort to improve maternal health in Pakistan. Read: IPS
8,000 Women Raped
in DRC Last Year: UN News Centre reported February 8 that
according to a new estimate by UNFPA, the United Nations Population
Fund, 8,000 women and girls were raped in the Democratic Republic
of Congo in the previous year. Read: UN News Centre
U.S.: Kansas Bill
Could Prohibit Insurance Coverage for Elective Abortions:
The Kansas City Star reported February 11 on pending Kansas legislation
to restrict insurance practices governing abortions. It would
limit insurance payments for abortions, require women to purchase
special coverage to pay for elective procedures and mandate the
filing of a police report for coverage under the bill's incest
or rape exemptions. Read: Kansas City Star
U.S.: California
Maternal Mortality Rate Spikes: Alternet reported February
2 that California's maternal mortality rate tripled in the last
decade, raising concern about the state of maternal health nationwide.
Read: Alternet
U.S.: Roeder Convicted
of Murdering Dr. George Tiller: The New York Times reported
January 31 that a jury in Wichita, Kansas, convicted Scott Roeder
of murdering women's health provider Dr. George Tiller. He was
later sentenced to life in prison. Read: The New York Times
Women's Equality
Bill Would Combat
Global Violence Against Women: The Boston Globe published
an op-ed February 6 by women's rights advocates Humaira Shahid
and Ritu Sharma, and IPS reported February 4 that members of the
U.S. Senate and House had introduced the International Violence
Against Women Act, a five-year, $1 billion plan to combat violence
against women and girls in 10 to 20 countries. Read: Boston Globe
and IPS
EU Pushes for UN
Women's Agency: IPS reported February 4 that representatives
of the European Union urged the United Nations to act on a proposal
to establish a new UN entity to promote gender equity. Read: IPS
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