Other sessions and skills-building workshops covered a wide range of issues, including sexual violence, unsafe abortion, reproductive health support in conflict situations and natural disasters, and the protection of the rights of people living with HIV.
The Director-General of the International Planned Parenthood Federation, Gill Greer, was a keynote speaker along with Ms. Mane, who spoke on behalf of UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid. Senior officials addressing the gathering included Dr. Zhao Baige, Vice-Minister of China's National Population and Family Planning Commission, and Renuka Chowdhry, India's Minister of State for Women and Child Development. Lawmakers from many countries also took part in the conference.
UNFPA presented a set of reports and led a discussion on the causes and likely consequences of and potential remedies for son preference and prenatal sex selection in China, India, Viet Nam and Nepal (http://www.unfpa.org/news/news.cfm?ID=1057).
"Too many governments remain shackled by external pressures, outmoded laws and regulatory structures undermining reproductive health," the Open Letter declared. Participants vowed to push for more resources, and to hold themselves accountable for their effective use.
They agreed to hold the next regional review in China in 2009.
UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is an international
development agency that promotes the right of every woman, man and child to
enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity. UNFPA supports countries in
using population data for policies and programs to reduce poverty and to
ensure that every pregnancy is wanted,
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| SOURCE UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund Copyright©2007 PR Newswire. All rights reserved |