Welcome to the NZPPD information service, providing updates on NZPPD and other parliamentarian group activities, as well as the latest news on population and development.
NZPPD Chair presented at High Level Meeting in Ethiopia
The Fourth International Parliamentarians' Conference on the Implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action (IPCI/ICPD IV) took place from 27th to 28th October in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, following the High Level Meeting on Maternal Health held on the 26th October. Dr Jackie Blue, NZPPD Chair, and Hon Steve Chadwick, NZPPD Vice Chair attended both, meeting with parliamentarians from across the world to discuss sexual and reproductive health and rights. Dr Jackie Blue presented at the High Level Meeting on the situation in the Pacific, presenting about the NZPPD Open Hearing.The delegation highlighted that New Zealand co-sponsored the Human Rights Council resolution on Maternal Health and also ensured that civil society was mentioned as a key stakeholder in the Statement of Commitment. Secretariat support was provided by Liz Paton of Family Planning.
NZPPD Presentation at 7th Asia-Pacific Women Parliamentarians’ and Ministers’ Conference
Nicky Wagner represented NZPPD at the 7th Asia-Pacific Women Parliamentarians’ and Ministers’ Conference on Parliamentarians’ Action for Gender Issues on 14th and 15th November in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and presented on NZPPD’s successful Open Hearing process. The focus of this year’s conference was on how parliamentarians’ can take action to address gender issues, and the sessions addressed issues such as women and climate change, gender budgeting, and taking forward the Beijing agenda. Secretariat support was provided by Angela Nielsen of Family Planning International.
NZPPD Member Part of International Delegation of Parliamentarians in Hanoi
As a member of NZPPD, Lynne Pillay was part of an international delegation of eight parliamentarians that attended the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) Partners’ Forum in Hanoi, Viet Nam, from the 16th to the 20th November. GAVI invited parliamentarians from the European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development (EPF) and the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD) to learn more about the GAVI Alliance’s work to increase access to immunisation in poor countries. Included in the programme was a mini field visit to a commune health centre and discussions on the HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. Secretariat support was provided by Angela Nielsen.
NZPPD at PPAPD-FPOC Conference
From the 16th to the 20th November, Katrina Shanks attended a joint PPAPD-FPOC conference in Rarotonga The meeting themes were on climate change, gender and legislation. PPAPD-FPOC is a combination of two different groups supporting parliamentarians: parliamentarians who support population and development issues; and Speakers and Clerks. Following the meeting, New Zealand and Australia now have a shared seat on the PPAPD-FPOC Executive Committee, enabling NZPPD to contribute much more to the development of the group. Secretariat support at the meeting was provided by Jackie Edmond of Family Planning International.
Building Relationships with Other Parliamentary Groups
Dr Jackie Blue, NZPPD Chair, was invited to speak briefly about NZPPD at a luncheon during the 18th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Australian and Pacific Regional Seminar at parliament in Wellington in November, to introduce the group and its role. The purpose of this luncheon was to begin developing a closer relationship with NZPPD and CPA and find common ground on which collaboration on some activities could occur.
Safe and Sound
Family Planning International held the first ever New Zealand concert in support of maternal health in the Pacific, in Wellington on the 22 October 2009, called Safe and Sound. An amazing line-up of local female musicians donated their time to perform on the night, including Lisa Tomlins, Tessa Rain, Iva Lamkum and Bella Kalolo, and several Wellington businesses donated fabulous prizes for a raffle. The event was a great success and brought increased awareness among the public to maternal health and other sexual and reproductive health related issues in the Pacific.
Take Action to Eliminate Violence Against Women
The 25th November was the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and between November 25th and December 10th an important campaign is taking place that parliamentarians are encouraged to participate in. The 16 days of Activism to End Violence Against Women calls for overcoming social attitudes and policies that continue to turn a blind eye to abuses. Actions such as publicly speaking out against all forms of violence against women and girls, especially neglected and underreported forms of gender-based violence are encouraged.
Obama Overturns Ban on people living with HIV and AIDS entering the US
US President Barack Obama has lifted a 22-year old ban prohibiting people living with HIV from travelling or immigrating to the US. President Obama hopes this will demonstrate the US’ commitment to leading the world in the fight against HIV and AIDS, and believes this action will help towards ending the stigma people living with HIV continue to face.
Regional Forum on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights
Young people need to be better prepared for their sexual lives, according to the Youth Declaration from the Fifth Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights that was held in Beijing from the 18th to the 20th October. It was also agreed that much more needs to be done to ensure universal access to reproductive health services in Asia and the Pacific region. The conference was attended by almost 1,000 people from around the world and provided a platform for experts, practitioners and activists within the field to share programmatic experience and scientific evidence on issues related to sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Linking women, population and climate change in new UNFPA report
The focus of UNFPA’s State of the World Population Report for 2009 this year is drawing attention to the important role empowered women can have in the fight against climate change. The report, entitled Facing a Changing World: Women, Population and Climate, was launched on 18th November in more than 120 capitals worldwide. View the report here.
World AIDS day – 1st December 2009
Universal Access and Human Rights is the theme of this year’s World AIDS day, drawing attention to HIV and AIDS within a human rights perspective. This is an important and timely theme, which highlights that universal access to prevention, treatment and care is a human right and must not be compromised or disregarded during the global recession. Find out more here.