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UNFPA News

06 February 2012 - Statement

Renewing Commitment to End Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting

"On the International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting, I call on the global community to join us in this critical effort. Together, we can end FGM/C in one generation and help millions of girls and women to live healthier, fuller lives, and reach their potential," states UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, in his message on 6 February 2012. more

02 February 2012 - Feature Story

Sudan: The Campaign against Cutting Goes to School

GADARIF, Sudan — When Ahfad University for Women in Omdurman began offering a course in community development in the 1990s meant for mature, illiterate women farmers, the main goal was to expand the students’ role in the economic life of their communities. But over the years, many such courses have expanded to touch on more intimate subjects, including reproductive health, early marriage and even female genital mutilation/cutting, a longstanding tradition in the area.
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02 February 2012 - Feature Story

Two More Corners of Ethiopia Call for an End to Genital Cutting

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — In a ceremony of poetry, drama and music, the Buremudaytu and Argoba districts in the Afar region officially abandoned female genital mutilation/cutting earlier this month. The event– attended by government and religious leaders, clan elders, former circumcisers and other community officials – was a remarkable achievement in an area where an extreme form of FGM/C (see box below) was almost universally practiced for centuries. The districts of Amibara, Awash Fentale and Gewane officially stopped cutting in December 2010. more
01 February 2012 - Statement

UNFPA and Emerging Development Agenda

"UNFPA’s main focus in 2012 is on implementing the revised Strategic Plan and ensuring that we consistently deliver high-impact country programmes with sharp focus, renewed energy and increased efficiency and relevance," stated UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin at the UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Executive Board First Regular Session 2012.
 more
01 February 2012

Next Three Years to Set Stage for New Development Frontiers, UNFPA Leader Says

UNITED NATIONS, New York – The next three years are critical for the global development agenda, UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin declared today at the UNFPA Executive Board's first formal session of the year. more
31 January 2012 - Feature Story

More Communities in Senegal Disavow Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting

PATA, Senegal -- As Senegal edges closer to becoming the first African country to fully abandon the practice of female genital mutilation/cutting, younger women are supporting campaigns to change social norms surrounding the practice. In Pata, a village in the Kolda region of southeastern Senegal near the Gambian border, a celebration in November drew a huge crowd to formally announce the decision of 69 communities in Kolda to stop cutting.   more
30 January 2012 - Press Release

Intel and UNFPA to Boost Health Workers’ Skills around the World

UNITED NATIONS, New York/SANTA CLARA, California—The high number of unnecessary deaths during pregnancy and childbirth is unacceptable for Intel Corporation and UNFPA. more
27 January 2012 - Dispatch

Catalyzing Powerful Partnerships: UNFPA Executive Director at Davos

DAVOS, Switzerland – Each January this Swiss resort village becomes a dynamic centre of world attention as some of its most important leaders and thinkers gather to share ideas at the World Economic Forum. This year, for the first time, a UNFPA Executive Director is attending. Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin’s presence there seems particularly apt, since the annual theme is ‘The Great Transformation: Shaping New Models’ and UNFPA spent a good part of last year building awareness about the possibilities inherent in a world of 7 billion, a milestone that was reached last October. more
20 January 2012 - Feature Story

Rewarding the Heroic Work of Midwives in Afghanistan

KABUL — In mid-December, Maliha walked for five days to reach Faizabad, the capital of Badakhshan, in northeastern Afghanistan, to receive her award as best midwife in the province. She felt proud as she went onstage to be honoured for her work in her community health clinic. more

Calendat of event

Latest publications

  • Securing the Future Today
    This report shows that global commitments to reverse the AIDS epidemic will be achieved only if the unique needs of young women and men are acknowledged, and their human rights fulfilled, respected, and protected. In order to reduce new HIV infections among young people, achieve the broader equity goals set out in the MDGs, and begin to reverse the overall HIV epidemic, HIV prevention and treatment efforts must be tailored to the specific needs of young people. The legal and policy barriers that prevent young people from accessing HIV services must be addressed, and
    young people should be engaged more effectively in the response.

  • Financial Resource Flows For Population Activities
    This report is intended to be a tool for donor and developing country Governments, multilateral organizations and agencies, private foundations and NGOs to monitor progress in achieving the financial resource targets agreed to at the ICPD.

  • Engaging Men and Boys in Gender Equality
    This report generates specific, detailed lessons for successful implementation of initiatives that engage men and boys in advancing gender equality and reproductive health. Four case studies from Bangladesh, Philippines, Cambodia and Uganda are presented followed by lessons learnt and recommendations for supporting work in the field of male engagement.