Sharing PAI’s Voices: Ugandan Women Parliamentarians Advocate for Reproductive HealthThe Network of African Women Ministers and Parliamentarians (NAWMP)gathers women ministers from the African sub-Saharan countries, with the purpose of achieving the objectives of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). The NAWMP chapter in Uganda works especially on reinforcing women’s participation in political life and enables women to exercise their political responsibilities.
PAI has been active in Uganda, most recently through Project RMA which works to improve access and information to Reproductive Health Supplies. Subsequently, we partnered with NAWMP this year in 2009 to raise awareness among Ugandan parliamentarians and other policymakers about the importance of reproductive health services and supplies, especially due to the increasing rates of HIV/AIDS in married couples and the rising of vulnerability of women and girls.
Global Partners in Action: NGO Forum on Sexual and Reproductive Health and DevelopmentOn September 4, 2009, the Berlin Call to Action emerged from the NGO Forum on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Development. The call to action noted that, “Leaders of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) from more than 130 countries have come together in Berlin to demand that the international community reinforce and strengthen their commitment to the vision of the ICPD PoA (the Programme of Action of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development), and in particular, sexual reproductive health and rights.” The forum assessed progress towards the goals of the ICPD PoA 15 years into implementation of the landmark conference that shifted emphasis from fertility reduction through means of demographic targets to promoting reproductive health through respect for reproductive rights.
Youth Voices: Championing Meaningful Youth ParticipationBy Katie Chau, Youth Coalition for Sexual and Reproductive Rights Member (UK/Canada)
Youth Coalition (YC) (http://www.youthcoalition.org) is a long standing partner of Population Action International. Previously a recipient of PAI’s small grants program, Youth Coalition is an international advocacy organization comprised entirely of young people who are committed to promoting adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive rights at the national, regional and international levels.
Katie Chau, a Youth Coalition member, joined PAI on the steering committee for the Global Partners in Action: NGO Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Development in September. Katie’s perspective from the conference follows.
NEW WORKING PAPER: Population and Reproductive Health in National Adaptation Programmes of ActionBy Clive Mutunga and Karen Hardee
This paper reviews 41 National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs) submitted by Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and identifies the range of interventions included in countries’ priority adaptation actions. The review found near-universal recognition among the NAPAs of the importance of population considerations as a central pillar in climate change adaptation.
Investing in Sexual and Reproductive Health in Times of Economic CrisisBy Mercedes Mas de Xaxas
Population Action International participated in the annual EuroNGOs conference, “Investing in Sexual and Reproductive Health in Times of Economic Crisis,” in Riga, Latvia on September 7-8. This year’s conference was aimed at enhancing understanding of the impact of the global economic crisis on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and its funding streams. It also focused on providing civil society organizations (CSOs) with new evidence and tools to counteract such an impact.
PAI Board Appoints Interim PresidentDear Friends and Supporters of PAI,
September was a challenging month for PAI, and for our President & CEO Amy Coen. Amy went into surgery for a cancer diagnosis, and as of this writing she remains in ICU. Her post-operative rehab has been very difficult; an outpouring of support and love from many of you has provided much comfort for her family and friends in this time.
During Amy’s illness, we are committed to implementing her vision for PAI, and for the broader family planning and reproductive health community. After four weeks of Amy continuing to be in the ICU, our Board of Directors named me Interim President of PAI, a role and responsibility I take seriously and hope to fully deliver on.
Giving through your Individual Retirement Account before the end of 2009 takes advantage of the Charitable IRA Rollover, which permits taxpayers age 70 1/2 and older to make tax-free charitable gifts from traditional IRAs and Roth IRA’s. This gift does count toward your annual IRA distribution requirement. PAI is an eligible charity for these gifts, but contributions must be made by December 31, 2009 to take advantage of the tax benefit. Contact Michele Duryea, Vice President for Development, for more information at mduryea@popact.org or 202-557-3400.