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November 2011

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APA UPDATE #22 November 2011

E-NEWS AND INFORMATION ON SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RIGHTS 

FROM THE SECRETARIAT

New APA Task Force on ASEAN Formed

The Secretariat would like to welcome and thank members of the new APA Task Force, assembled to oversee a research on SRHR advocacy with ASEAN: Promboon Panitchpakdi of Raks Thai Foundation; Sandeep Prasad and  Katherine McDonald of Action Canada for Population and Development; Romeo Arca Jr. of IPPF East and South East Asia & Oceania Region; Wasim Zaman of ICOMP;  Joanne Ramadge of Sexual Health and Family  Planning Australia (SH&FPA); and Claire Padilla of EnGendeRights (external Task Force Member).

Follow APA on Twitter at the 4th High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness!

Can’t attend the 4th High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness (HLF-4)?  Keep up on the events by following Rose Koenders, APA Executive Director, on Twitter @RoseKoendersAPA, as she posts live updates from the Global Civil Society Forum from 26 to 28 November, and the HLF-4 from  29 November to 1 December, in Busan, Republic of Korea.  A  Better Aid National Advocacy and Media Toolkit for HLF-4 is also available below, under the resources section.

APA factsheet on the 2011 Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS and the impact on key affected groups of women and girls!

APA Secretariat is co-producing a fact sheet which aims to highlight the impact of the 2011 Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS on women and girls with APCASO , as part of their In-Focus series.  Please contact APA Advocacy and Communications Officer,  Alexandra Johns, at   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you would like to know more about the project. 

From the Members

Representatives from the Pacific discuss MDG5b at Family Planning Pacific Forum in Australia 

 Representatives from family planning across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands met to discuss the current challenges and limitations in the Pacific for the achievement of MDG5b, ‘Achieve, by 2015, Universal Access to Reproductive Health’ at the Family Planning Pacific Forum, held on the 15-16 November at Family Planning NSW in Ashfield, Australia, and part of the APA Advocacy Grants Program. Read more here. 

PDA Flood Relief in Thailand

Population and Community Development Association (PDA) is embarking on a Flood Relief Mission to help victims of this disaster by providing essentials such as foodstuff, drinking water, baby milk, clothes, boots, mosquito repellents and nets, medicine and hygiene kits. Further assistance will also be provided to improve hygiene, sanitation and waste management in afflicted areas. Access more information about the initiative as well as how to donate here.

Raks Thai Flood Relief in Thailand

 Raks Thai and its partner civil society organizations aim to support infants, children and women who are facing the immediate impact of the disaster and lack the necessities for infant and child care through the provision of the “Children and Women Caring Package”. This will include provision of powdered milk, infant/children’s clothes, health care products and developmental toys, as well as support to mothers and women who are in need of essential items. Access more information about the initiative as well as how to donate here.

NEWS, RESOURCES and OPPORTUNITIES

Advocacy and Media toolkit for HLF-4

A  Better Aid National Advocacy and Media Toolkit, to attract and focus media attention to effectively communicate the CSO perspective on aid and development effectiveness and reaction to the HLF-4 outcomes is now available. Access the toolkit here.

Global Fund Cancels 11th Funding Round

As a result of a decline in donor funding to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria , the Global Fund board has decided to cancel its 11th funding round , and replace it with a Transitional Funding Mechanism. Read a Medicines Sans Frontieres press release here.

2011 UN Trust Fund Call for Proposals

The UN Trust Fund in Support of Actions to Eliminate Violence Against Women is now accepting grant proposal applications from government authorities, civil society organizations and networks, worth US$100,000 to US$1 million for 2-3 years, on : 1) Closing the Gap on the Implementation of National and Local Laws, Policies and Action Plans that Address Violence against Women; or 2) Addressing Violence against Women in Conflict, Post-conflict and Transitional Settings.  The application deadline is 19 January 2012. Read the call for proposals here.

RH Supplies Coalition RMA Members meeting in Dakar in the Run-up to the International Conference on Family Planning

The Reprodutive Health Supplies Coalition, Resource Mobilization and Awareness (RMA) Working Group members will meet the afternoon of 29 November in Dakar, Senegal. Read more here.   The meeting is being held in advance of the International Conference on Family Planning, November 29 – December 2 in Dakar, co-hosted by The Bill and Melinda Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Ministry of Health and Prevention in Senegal.  

‘Is social franchising the answer to the global unmet need for family planning?’

MSI says yes! And states that social franchising is a key element in expanding access to modern contraception to the 215 million women around the world who want to choose how many children to have and when, but aren’t currently able to. Read more here.

Maximizing the Effectiveness of Sexual and Reproductive Health Funding

Based on the example of 7 European donor government's, 'Maximizing the Effectiveness of Sexual and Reproductive Health Funding' by Sara Seims contains recommendations for these SRHR champions to increase the effectiveness of their overseas SRHR investments. Read the article here. 

Cervical Cancer in the Developing World 

A new report highlights the efforts to prevent cervical cancer and improve maternal health in developing countries the political leadership, public-private partnerships, and civil society efforts that are models for change. Produced by Women Deliver, it uses case studies from Bolivia, Mexico,  Rwanda and Thailand.  Read the report here.

Laos: Bridging Culture to Promote Maternal Health

140 midwives graduated in Laos in 2010 but specialists say their skills may go untapped because the country's women are not used to visitn health workers. Read more here.

 WGNRR Seeking a Policy and Advocacy Coordinator

Women's Global Network for Reproductive Rights is a southern-based global network that builds and strengthens movements for sexual and reproductive health, rights (SRHR) and justice.  The Policy and Advocacy Coordinator will oversee policy development, advocacies and campaigns in the WGNRR 5 programme areas: Access to safe abortion, Access to contraceptives, Sexual Rights, Youth SRHR, Membership and networking.  The deadline for applications is 21st December 2011. Read more about the position here.

 
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APA UPDATE #21 November 2011

E-NEWS AND INFORMATION ON SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RIGHTS 

In this issue of the APA Update, special attention will be paid to the efforts of the Thai members of APA for their relief work in Thailand, which  has been hit by the most devastating floods in over 50 years.  To date it has resulted in large-scale evacuations, the destruction of homes and livelihoods, and over 500 deaths. 

FROM THE SECRETARIAT

APA is a New Member of RH Supplies Coalition

APA has been welcomed as an organizational member of the Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition, and a new partner to ensure that people in low and middle-income countries can obtain, choose and use high quality reproductive health supplies. 

APA at the Asia and the Pacific Regional Consultation on SRH and HIV Linkages

APA Secretariat has been invited to attend the Asia and the Pacific Regional Consultation on SRH and HIV Linkages, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 6 – 8 December, and organized by UNFPA APRO and IPPF ESEAOR.

Join the Busan Health Working Group Side Event at HLF4

Join APA Secretariat, Population Action International and other NGOs from the Busan Health Working Group at the side event "Effective Aid for Better Health" held at the upcoming CSO Forum, on 27 November in Busan, Republic of Korea. The Busan Health Working Group is a coordinating platform for civil society advocating for health to be recognized as an integral issue in development, and highlighting lessons learnt from the health and health-related sectors to inform aid effectiveness policy discussions at the High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Busan from 26 November to December 2011. Read more about the Side Event here.

MEMBER NEWS

PDA Flood Relief in Thailand

Population and Community Development Association (PDA) is embarking on a Flood Relief Mission to help victims of this disaster by providing essentials such as foodstuff, drinking water, baby milk, clothes, boots, mosquito repellents and nets, medicine and hygiene kits. Further assistance will also be provided to improve hygiene, sanitation and waste management in afflicted areas. Access more information about the initiative as well as how to donate here.

Raks Thai Flood Relief in Thailand

 Raks Thai and its partner civil society organizations aim to support infants, children and women who are facing the immediate impact of the disaster and lack the necessities for infant and child care through the provision of the “Children and Women Caring Package”. This will include provision of powdered milk, infant/children’s clothes, health care products and developmental toys, as well as support to mothers and women who are in need of essential items. Access more information about the initiative as well as how to donate here.

IPPF ESEAOR is the Newest APA Member!

APA welcomes International Planned Parenthood Federation East & South East Asia and Oceania Region (IPPF ESEAOR) as its newest member in the APA network, in the category of supporting member.

ICOMP Workshop on Effective Warehouse Management, Inventory, and Distribution

International Council on Management of Population Programmes (ICOMP) is organizing a Workshop on 'Effective Warehouse Management, Inventory, and Distribution' from 12-14 November in Bangkok. Through the integration of functions such as procurement and warehouse management, reproductive health supply chain performance is greatly enhanced. Read more here.

NEWS, RESOURCES and OPPORTUNITIES

2015+: Join the Discussions on the Future of Maternal and Reproductive Health

 Join Women Deliver for an online discussion forum on the future of maternal and RH!  This week's topic "Reflecting on the Successes and Challenges of the MDGs," is moderated by two experts: Gill Greer, director of Time Plus Talents and former director-general of the IPPF, and Jill Sheffield, president of Women Deliver. The two questions being discussed are:  How have the MDGs impacted the work of your organization?  Although the MDGs were intended to set specific goals and targets to reduce poverty, they are also often used as a key advocacy tool. How have the MDGs increased political attention and/or funding to your region or country?  Sign up here.

Women in Vanuatu receive support from Australia

At the Pacific Women’s Empowerment Policy Dialogue Stopping Violence Against Women in Canberra, the Australian Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Affairs Richard Marles announced that the Australian government would provide the Vanuatu Women’s Centre AU$ 5 million over four years to deliver counselling and legal services and emergency accommodation for up to 15,000 survivors of violence. Access the information source here.

IACHR creates Unit to Protect the Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex (LGBTI) Persons

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has decided to create a Unit on the Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex (LGBTI) Persons, in order to strengthen its capacity to protect their rights, during its 143 regular session.  LGBTI persons face serious discrimination, both in fact and in law, and significant barriers in their access to health, employment, justice, and political participation in the region of Latin America. Read more here.

Police in Malaysia Ban Event on Sexuality Rights

Royal Malaysia Police declared a ban on 2 November for an event planned by Seksualiti Merdeka (SM), which aims to celebrate sexual diversity and disseminate information to the public on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) rights through art and public talks. SM is a coalition of human rights defenders working to promote the rights of LGBTI individuals and communities in Malaysia. The yearly event has been held since 2008.  Read more here.

European Court of Human Rights Sides with Roma Woman in Case of Forced Sterilization

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) issued an important and long-awaited decision, finding Slovakia in violation of inhumane and degrading treatment and the right to private life for the coerced sterilization of a Roma woman (in VC v Slovakia).  This victory is a critical step in seeking justice on this issue. Read more about the case here.   Read more about the ECHR decision here.

IPPF Posting for Senior Technical Officer

IPPF, a global service provider and a leading advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all, is hiring a Senior Technical Officer, Health Systems, Economics and Financing.  As part of the Access team, the position will play a key role in the implementation of the IPPF Access Global Strategy. The focus will be health systems strengthening (HSS), health financing, health economics and health service management. The closing date is 9 December 2011.   Find more information about the position here.

The Youth Coalition is seeking a full-time Executive Coordinator

Youth Coalition, an international organization of young people committed to promoting adolescent and youth SRHR at the national, regional and international levels is seeking an Executive Coordinator. Responsible for the general coordination, implementation and management of the Youth Coalition’s programs, projects and operations, under the supervision of the Youth Coalition’s International Board of Directors. Deadline for applications is 2 December 2011.  Find more information about the position here.

 

 

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