FGM/C is against women’s rights and has no ground in Islamic teachings.

BATAM, November 3 2016: Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) is a violation against women’s rights that has no basis in the Qur’an and the Haddith, according to Prof. Nasaruddin Umar, Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque. A comprehensive cross sectoral approach is required to end the practice that preserve gender inequality. Read
 

Bridging Leadership Programme: Enhancing Family Planning and Reproductive Health in Bantul District

“It was really sad. It should not happen”, said Dr. Budi Nur Rokhmah of Bantul District Health Office after watching a video of Tini, a young woman who died  giving birth to her child.  Tini died because her husband was late getting her to the closest hospital. The hospital also refused to treat her as her husband could not pay the down payment fees. “The case is an example of lack of ability and means to immediately access maternal health services. It also shows that planning for safe motherhood, including the support from the community, was inadequate,” added Dr. Nur Rokhmah. Read
 

Welcome Speech of the UNFPA Representative at International Training on Comprehensive, Rights-based FP & FP Bridging Leadership Training

“Access to modern contraception saves and transforms women’s lives. It transforms their families and communities, too. Family planning is one of the best investments countries can make for women’s empowerment, gender equality and economic prosperity.” Read
 

Investing in teenage girls helps unleash their full potential for development

JAKARTA, Indonesia, 22 August 2016: Education, family and the media are strategic entry points not optimally utilized to empower teenage girls and boys to make life choices that allow them to enjoy good health and wellbeing, pursue higher education, join work force and have a career, said expert speakers at the commemoration of World Population Day 2016. Read
 

Opening Speech at the SSC Training on Strategic Partnership with Muslim Religious Leaders In Family Planning for Nepalese Officials

I would firstly like to thank the Government of Indonesia especially BKKBN – the National Population and Family Planning Board – for supporting this bilateral initiative, which I believe is a critical flagship programme of which UNFPA is proud to be a part. Read
 

Welcome Remarks by UNFPA Representative at the Seminar on Investing in Teenage Girls

Just a few days ago, I read an article entitled “When Schoolgirls Become Mothers in Rural Indonesia”.  A 19-year old Widianti became a mother much younger than she anticipated. She met a University student in Yogyakarta during her vacation. She became pregnant after dating, was forced to marry and delivered a baby.  Read
 

Message of UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin on World Humanitarian Day

This World Humanitarian Day, we call for global solidarity and stand together with everyone affected by crisis. We unite as one humanity. Read
 

Young People and the Road to 2030

UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, celebrates International Youth Day by reaffirming and recognizing the central role of young people in promoting the well-being of their families, communities and nations. This year’s theme, “The Road to 2030: Eradicating Poverty and Achieving Sustainable Production and Consumption,” couldn’t be more relevant and timely. Read
 

Statement of the UNFPA Executive Director for World Population Day 2016

The teenage years are for some girls a time of exploration, learning and increasing autonomy. But for many others, it is a time of increasing vulnerability and exclusion from rights and opportunities, or just plain discrimination.  Read
 

Sexual Health in East Asia: It's a Matter of Life and Death

As a Japanese citizen, I read with great interest the speech US President Barack Obama gave during his recent historic visit to Hiroshima, and one sentence struck me like no other: “Those who died, they are like us.” Read