April/May 2006

NEWS

Australian Aid White Paper: "Australian Aid: Promoting Growth and Stability"

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer launched the White Paper on April 26, which will direct the delivery of Australia's aid over the next 10 years. To read the paper click here, view the PGPD press release click here. The Director General of AusAID, Mr Bruce Davis will discuss the paper with the Group at the next PGPD Meeting, on 31 May Room 1R5 4.00pm.

UNGASS review - Australia's country report

The 2006 follow-up meeting on the outcome of the twenty-sixth special session: implementation of the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS will take place from 31 May – 2 June at the United Nations in New York, USA. For Australia's report for the 2006 UNGASS meeting click here.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

European Commission contributes €15 Million for Reproductive Health in Countries Affected by conflict

The European Commission has contributed €14.87 million to UNFPA, to help provide equipment and supplies for obstetric and maternal health care in 17 African, Caribbean and Pacific countries in conflict or post conflict situations. Funding for family planning and reproductive health programmes in these countries has dropped far behind demand.

Supplies for obstetric and maternal health include pregnancy kits, antenatal care equipment, and delivery kits, including those for Caesarean sections. They also include contraceptives and other supplies for preventing and treating sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS. To read related press release click here.

Female Candidates fail to gain support in Solomon Island Polls

Solomon Islands women lost out again in the 2006 national elections, as no woman was successful in contesting for one of the 50 seats available. The closest any of the 24 women who ran as candidates came to success was one who was a runner up.

A quota for women in politics has emerged as a possible future direction for Pacific Island countries. The new general secretary of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Solomon Islander, Jimmie Rogers said international experience and regional examples showed that special measures are needed to achieve greater participation by women in national decision making. “Although imperfect, the system of quotas has been successful and necessary in many countries.”

UN urged to create separate agency for women

A proposed blueprint for a radical restructuring of the United Nations as envisaged by outgoing Secretary-General Kofi Annan has fallen short of its target in one specific area: gender empowerment.

In an open letter to Secretary-General Kofi Annan on International Women’s Day last month, the coalition of international women’s groups wrote, “We are disappointed and frankly outraged that gender equality and strengthening the women’s machineries within the U.N. system are barely noted, and are not addressed as a central part of the U.N. reform agenda.”

The Vatican considers changes to its position on condom use - Can a condom ever be used without sin?

A draft study by the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care may call upon Pope Benedict XVI to consider allowing the use of condoms in the context of a married couple where one partner is infected with HIV/AIDS. There is at least one previous precedent of the Vatican allowing condom use, in the 1960's the Holy Office gave permission for religious women in the Belgian Congo to use contraceptives as a defence against rape. To view the full article click here.

ASIAN FORUM OF PARLIAMENTARIANS ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT (AFPPD)

AFPPD events - 2006

AFPPD will host two major meetings this year:

Further information about these meetings and the work of AFPPD is available from the AFPPD website or contact the PGPD Secretariat.

Diary Reminders

PGPD Meeting 31 May 4.00pm 1R6

The PGPD meeting with Sultan Aziz, UNFPA Regional Director 15 June 9.00am 1R5.

PGPD WEBSITE

The PGPD website www.pgpd.asn.au contains information on members, PGPD's activities, reports and photos from conferences and meetings, resources on current population and development issues. A membership brochure for parliamentarians interested in joining PGPD can also be downloaded.

MEMBER NEWS

Duncan Kerr participates in NZFPPD PNG Study Tour

Duncan Kerr on the PNG Study Tour

Unified government leadership is critical to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Papua New Guinea (PNG), including open, multi-party leadership on stopping the spread of HIV and AIDS. This is one of the key themes that emerged during the MP study tour to PNG last week. Mr Duncan Kerr MP participated in the tour arranged by NZFPPD.

The delegates also met with Dr Puka Temu, the Minister assisting the Prime Minister on HIV/AIDS, who has called for 100 per cent condom use to help halt the epidemic. As well as official meetings, delegates went to the heart of the matter as they met and talked with sex workers, visited hospitals, schools, villages and non-government organisations.

A report on the study tour including other key themes and recommendations will be presented at the next PGPD meeting, along with photos and other footage.

PGPD meets with Steve Sinding, Executive Director IPPF

Whilst Dr Sinding was in Australia he met a number of key officials, agencies and government departments and addressed the PGPD on IPPFs Global Safe Abortion Program. Dr Sinding also met NSW PGPD members whilst he was in Sydney. Dr Sinding also promoted IPPF's 5 A's campaign; Adolescents, AIDS, Advocacy, Abortion and Access.

PGPD Chair The Hon Dr Sharman Stone MP, Vice Chair Senator Lyn Allison and IPPF Executive Director Steve Sinding

PGPD approves a new member

The PGPD welcomes Senator Linda Kirk to the group. Senator Kirks application for membership was approved on 7 April.

PGPD activities for 2006

The PGPD's program of activities for 2006 includes the following:

• 31 May - AusAID Director General invited to speak to the White Paper 1R6 4.00pm
• 15 June - visit by Sultan Aziz, Director, Asia Pacific, UNFPA on its role in the region 1R5 9.00am
• August - presentation and discussion on indigenous sexual and reproductive health (TBC)
• 6 September - launch of State of the World Population Report

Members have expressed interest in hosting two roundtables later in the year - one on the desirability of a national SRH policy/framework, and another on SRH in the aid program. These proposed rountables will be discussed at the next PGPD meeting on 31 May.

Seeking Participants for Global Survey on Parliamentarians' Activities to implement the ICPD Program of Action

The Secretariat is looking for 4 - 5 PGPD members willing to participate in this activity. This survey will determine if UNFPA should continue supporting parliamentary activities If you or your staff are able to set aside some time to complete this survey the secretariat would be pleased to hear from you.

PGPD calls for Australia to support the Global Safe Abortion Programme

The PGPD has been unsuccessful in obtaining Australian support for the Global Safe Abortion Programme. The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) announced a Global Safe Abortion Programme to support services and information to reduce unsafe abortion, which causes death, injury and illness to 19 million women each year. The new programme received political and financial support from the UK Government, with International Development Minister Gareth Thomas announcing that an initial £3 million to the scheme.

PGPD members

A current list of all federal and state PGPD members is available from the PGPD website.

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