Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

Empowering Women to Take Control of their Right to Reproductive Health

PRISTINA, Kosovo—The well attended session at the ‘Health for All’ NGO center was filled with eager participants excited to learn. Actively engaged in discussions on sexual and reproductive health, most of the women in this workshop had no formal education on the matter. This didn’t deter them, however, from sharing their experiences about life, and pausing to ask questions. This gathering of women from the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities certainly had a wealth of experience to call upon. more

Breaking the Chains of Poverty in the Macedonian Roma Community

SKOPJE, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia— Here in the capital city, people enjoy the life of a modern Europe. But just an hour's drive away, on its outskirts lies Shutto Orizari, a derelict ghetto that is home to more than 30,000 Roma people. This is where Bajramsha Salmani lives. Barely 30 years old, she has seven children. "I wasted my whole life caring for my children," she says with resignation. "My life is over." more

A Glimmer of Hope for Georgian Women at Risk of Breast and Cervical Cancer

TBILISI, Georgia—The Tbilisi Municipality and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) offer female residents free screening services for breast and cervical cancer. Achieving positive results, the project has become a key intervention to improve the quality and accessibility of reproductive health services for women, and has been expanded to the national level. more

UNFPA Armenia gives a Special Media Award for covering the Issue of Prenatal Sex Selection

YEREVAN, Armenia—According to official statistical data of the Republic of Armenia, in the last decade fewer girls have been born that boys in the country. UNFPA Armenia initiated a study in 2011 to determine what role, if any, prenatal sex selection had on this skewed ratio. The study findings suggested that on average each year 1,400 baby girls were not being born because of prenatal sex selection. In addition to holding a press conference to publicize the study findings, UNFPA Armenia has announced a special prize for the best media submission to highlight prenatal sex selection in Armenia. more

Government of the Kyrgyz Republic signs Country Programme Action Plan with the Population Fund

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan—United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has worked in Kyrgyzstan since the year 1992, this year marking its 20th anniversary in the country. This Country Programme Action Plan (2012 – 2016) is the third of its kind in the Kyrgyz Republic and considers state policy development, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) agenda, and the assessment of the UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2008-2013.

 more

Breaking the Social Barriers to Sexual and Reproductive Health of Women

Issue 73 of Entre Nous is entitled, “Causes and consequences: What determines our sexual and reproductive health?” This edition focuses on social determinants of sexual and reproductive health, and highlights the progress and challenges throughout the European Region in providing equal access to services. more

Integrating Health Services in Response to Gender-based Violence in Eastern Europe and Central Asia

With support from UNFPA, regional partner Women Against Violence Europe (WAVE) is launching a comprehensive resource for programme officers and practitioners working on gender-based violence in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The programmatic package builds on existing global resources to provide region-specific tailored support for integrating gender-based violence programming with health services. more

Bosnia and Herzegovina Prepares for its First Census in over 20 Years

SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina—In the capital city of Sarajevo, preparations are underway for a nationwide population and housing census—the first to be held in the country in over 20 years. more

Study Supported by UNFPA Explores Preference for Boys in Armenian Society

YEREVAN, Armenia—The “Prevalence and Reasons of Prenatal Sex Selection” Report brings to light an alarming trend in Armenian society. In particular, the study suggests that the general public prefers boys much more than girls – roughly six times more. According to the study, 0.8 per cent of Armenian women of reproductive age have had a sex selective abortion in the last five years.  This amounts to the loss of 1400 potential mothers every year in the country. more