Teaching Children to Look Out For Themselves
Manila Bulletin - Manila, Philippines, 4/29/2011
Recognizing the importance of teaching children to protect themselves from predators inside or outside the school, the Department of Education (DepEd), in partnership with the Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Sexual Abuse (CPTCSA), continue to strengthen the implementation of Personal Safety Lessons (PSL) in public schools.
HIV and Human Rights
Bangkok Post - Bangkok, Thailand, 4/28/2011
Christina Aguilera, Madonna and Ricky Martin were all present at the 13th National Aids conference, which was held on March 29 in Bangkok. Unfortunately, the majority of people here whether they are from the MSM group or not, cannot access ‘health security’ due to social discrimination and attitudes, based particularly on ethnicity, sexual preference and whether you work in the sex industry. Politics plays a key role in human rights and Aids awareness, and as was seen in a speech given by Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanavisit.
FPAN Faces Dissolution
Republica - Kathmandu, Nepal, 4/27/2011
All the offices of Family Planning Association of Nepal (FPAN) across the country remain shut for the past ten days, after the regional office of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) suspended grants to FPAN. FPAN, a leading national NGO working in the field of sexual and reproductive health, meets its administrative expenses through IPPF grant. FPAN has 40 offices across the country and has 25-30 percent contribution in national family planning programs.
Pregnant 11-Year-Old May be Barred From Test
Jakarta Globe - Jakarta, Indonesia, 4/27/2011
News that an 11-year-old girl may be barred from the national exams next week because she is pregnant has government officials and activists up in arms. The girl is reportedly two months pregnant. Muhammad Taqlin, head of the Mojokerto Education Office, said he was considering whether to allow her to take the exams, and if so, whether she should be separated from other students during the test. However, Suyanto, the Education Ministry’s director general for primary and secondary education, said ‘There’s no rule in this country prohibiting a pregnant student taking examinations. They have just as much right to access to education as anyone else.’
Straight From The Heart
Mid Day - Mumbai, India, 4/27/2011
Filmmaker Onir talks about the need for social revolution in our country and the importance of acceptance: Well, more than the discounts offered by this card what matters is that it gives the LGBT community access to places where they`re welcome and not discriminated against. It gives an individual medical and legal help from people who`re sensitised with these issues. There can`t be a social revolution unless the law changes. Films too can play a major role by showing the queer community as normal people. I have never been embarrassed about my sexual identity. That`s because I have never been discriminated against by friends or family members.
Venus and Mars: Make Love, Not War - But Don’t Forget the Condoms
The Jakarta Globe - Jakarta, Indonesia, 4/27/2011
The Indonesian Health Ministry reported that, as of December, there were more than 24,000 documented cases of AIDS in Indonesia. But the number of unreported cases is estimated to be much higher. Earlier this year, a representative of the National AIDS Prevention Commission (KPA) said campaigns encouraging condom use have remained largely ineffective and only 30 percent of the men who pay for sex are willing to use protection.
First Systematic AIDS Survey in SL
Daily News, Sri Lanka, 4/27/2011
For the first time in Sri Lanka a complete survey and study on Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) is to be conducted on the instructions of Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena. The main objective of the study is to gather data on STDs, especially HIV and AIDS to uplift facilities and services available for patients, a Health Ministry spokesman said. There is no accurate data available on STDs in Sri Lanka including HIV and AIDS - only a hypothesis. Various organizations release different statistics to suit their own agendas. Therefore nobody knows the accurate number of HIV positive persons in Sri Lanka at the moment.
Most HIV-Hit Kids Lose Parents to AIDS
The Times of India - Mumbai, India, 4/27/2011
More than half the HIV-positive children in Maharashtra have lost one of their parents to the disease and a high number have lost both their parents. According to a study done by CHAHA, a care and support programme for children affected with HIV, Maharashtra ranks high in the list of states that have more than two HIV positive members in a family.
Modern Day Kartini: Breaking the Boundaries
The Jakarta Post - Jakarta, Indonesia, 4/26/2011
National hero Kartini left a legacy of emancipation for Indonesian women. In our so-called modern-day Indonesia, 132 years after her birth on April 21, women are still judged more on their appearances that on their actions. Take Melinda Dee, also known as Inong Malinda, a Citibank executive accused of embezzling Rp 4 billion (US$464,000) from one of her customers. News stories focused more on her breast cup size than on how much money she allegedly swindled. In our paternalistic society, being mature in age is considered better than being young.
INC, Other Religious Groups Push RH Bill Passage
The Philippine Star - Manila, Philippines, 4/26/2011
Various religious groups, including the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), joined hands in calling for the swift passage of the controversial Reproductive Health bill in Congress. The Interfaith Partnership for the Promotion of Responsible Parenthood, Inc. (IPPRP) said that the RH bill is ‘truly pro-life, pro-family, pro-poor and pro-national development.’ ‘We urge our legislators to seriously push for the passage of the long-overdue RH/RP (responsible parenthood) bill toward its immediate implementation,’ the group said in a statement yesterday.
News Archives
2022
248