Around 50,000 Pregnant Women Affected From Quake in Nepal: UN
The Economic Times - Kathmandu, Nepal, 4/28/2015
Around 50,000 pregnant women and girls could be affected by the devastating earthquake in Nepal which has killed over 4,350 people and impacted the life of some eight million people, the UN said on April 28, 2015. United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA's) initial estimates indicate that around 50,000 pregnant women and girls could be among the survivors. Pregnant women affected by the disaster require maternal health services, including antenatal care, safe delivery services, post-partum care, and emergency obstetric services for those who experience complications,it said. Protections for women and girls from gender-based violence and other threats will also be critical, said the UN agency. UNFPA is coordinating with the Government and humanitarian partners to respond to these needs. Emergency staff members are being deployed, and dignity kits and reproductive health kits are en-route to Nepal.
Ahok Suggests Legalising Prostitution in Certain Areas
The Jakarta Post - Jakarta, Indonesia, 4/28/2015
The Jakarta Governor, Basuki ‘Ahok’ Tjahaja Purnama has recommended that the city administration legalise prostitution in certain areas. The previous weekend, the Jakarta Police arrested members of an online prostitution group, in which one of the sex workers was underage and pregnant. Ahok said that legalising a red-light district would provide an alternative solution for prostitution, which nowadays in Jakarta is conducted in plain sight and in various places across the city. He suggested that the city administration provide one apartment building as a prostitution site where visitors would need to provide identification. The sex workers would receive professional certification that would be useful for data gathering and would get periodic health checks.
South Asia has World’s Most Skewed Gender Wage Gap: UN Report
The Hindu, India, 4/27/2015
The Progress of the World’s Women 2015-2016 report, by UN Women which has come 20 years after the landmark Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing found that South Asia has the world’s most skewed gender wage gap and is among the few regions where the gender labour force participation gap is both large and growing. ‘Since the Beijing Conference, significant advances have been made by many societies, particularly in advancing women’s legal rights. However, as [the report] shows, in an era of unprecedented global wealth, millions of women are still consigned to work in low paid, poor quality jobs, denied even basic levels of health care, without access to clean water and decent sanitation,’ the report finds. Women shoulder the bulk of the burden of unpaid care work; in India and also remain under-represented in economic leadership positions, the report found.
From Traditional Aid to Responsible Trade
The Financial Express, Bangladesh, 4/27/2015
Over the last few years, the Netherlands has consistently been in the top five largest foreign investors in Bangladesh and there are currently more than 70 Dutch companies investing in the country. The Netherlands is seeking to involve the private sector in its development cooperation programs. The strength of these programs is that they can function as a gateway for entrepreneurs. The Netherlands has expertise in different sectors that are leading the way in terms of innovation and sustainability - water, food security, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and corporate social responsibility. The main objective of the SRHR programme is to contribute to the implementation of Bangladesh's Health Sector Programme. Particular attention is given to family planning, adolescents and youth's sexual and reproductive health and rights with the aim to reduce maternal mortality.
Gay Parade Held in Japan Amid Calls For Same-Sex Marriage
The Times of India - Tokyo, Japan, 4/26/2015
Some 3,000 people marched in a gay pride parade in Tokyo on April 26, 2015 as calls have grown for Japan to legalise same-sex marriage after a lesbian couple held a symbolic wedding ceremony. The crowd, mainly from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community as well as their supporters and sex workers, paraded through the capital's entertainment and shopping district of Shibuya, waving rainbow-coloured flags and banners, foreign and Japanese campaigners marched in colourful carnival and kimono-clad ‘geisha’ outfits.
LGBT Film Fest Kashish to Feature 180 Films From 44 Countries
Zee News - Mumbai, India, 4/25/2015
The sixth edition of the Kashish Mumbai International Queer Film Festival, India's only mainstream Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transsexual (LGBT) film fest, has announced a line-up of around 180 films from 44 countries. It will be held from May 27-31, 2015 at three different venues in Mumbai. There will be film screenings, book readings, panel discussions and performances, all of them highlighting the cultural diversity of its host city Mumbai. The theme for this year is 'Reaching Out, Touching Hearts' which reflects the urgent need for all to reach across barriers and boundaries and reach out to everyone -- parents, families, friends, colleagues and peers. Founded in 2010, Kashish is the first Indian LGBT festival to be held with approval from India's information and broadcasting ministry.
RS Passes Bill on Transgender Rights
The Hindu - New Delhi, India, 4/24/2015
A private member’s Bill protecting and providing rights for transgender people was passed by the Rajya Sabha on April 24, 2015. The Bill guarantees reservation in education and jobs, financial aid and social inclusion. This is the first time in 45 years that a private members' Bill has been passed by the House. The Rights of Transgender Persons Bill, 2014, paves the way for a law on the matter in the near future. The government assured the House that it would bring an updated Bill in the Lok Sabha. The Bill provides for creation of welfare boards at the Centre and State level for the community, Transgender Rights Courts, two per cent reservation in government jobs and prohibits discrimination in employment. It also makes provisions for pensions and unemployment allowances for members of the community.
Decline in Number of HIV Positive Cases: Govt
The Business Standard - New Delhi, India, 4/24/2015
The number of HIV positive cases reported annually in India have declined by 57 per cent to 1.16 lakh in 2011 as compared to 2.74 lakh in 2000, the Lok Sabha was informed on April 24, 2015. Union Health Minister J P Nadda, told Lok Sabha that according to the assessment of performance of various schemes for prevention, care and treatment of people living with HIV and AIDS, carried out by the government under National AIDS Control Programme (NACP), the HIV prevalence at national level has declined from 0.41 per cent in 2001 through 0.35 per cent in 2006 to 0.27 per cent in 2011’. The minister also said that there has been no cut in the budgetary provision for NACP.
Against All Odds: Pakistan Seeks $11 Million For Its Fight Against AIDS
The Tribune - Islamabad, Pakistan, 4/22/2015
Pakistan on April 21, 2015 submitted a proposal to the Global Fund, seeking $11 million to continue its fight against HIV and AIDs. At the same time, Pakistan has also requested $1 million from UNAIDS to carry out a national survey to find out the accurate number of people living with HIV and AIDS. It is estimated that in Pakistan 91,000 people are living with HIV and AIDS out of which only 10,000 -12,000 are registered. The National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) manager Dr Baseer Khan Achakzai, said that Pakistan has funds till the end of this year for the prevention and treatment, however, requests have been made for more funds to continue the fight against HIV and AIDS for the year 2016.
Vietnam Mulls Recognizing Sex Reassignment
Tuoi Tre News, Vietnam, 4/20/2015
The Vietnamese Ministry of Health has proposed either not acknowledging gender reassignment, as it has always been the case before, or permitting the practice on a selective basis. Nguyen Huy Quang, head of the Legislation Department under the Ministry of Health, said on April 16, 2015 that the ministry is currently giving its opinions on the draft of the revised Civil Code, and according to Tran Tien Dung, office chief and spokesperson of the Ministry of Justice, his agency is gathering public opinions on the draft of the revised Civil Code.
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