<p>CAPE TOWN, South Africa — FIGO, the International Federation of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians, has conferred its Recognition Award on Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, the Executive Director of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, for her major contributions to women’s health and rights. This is highest honour that FIGO bestows on those who are not gynaecologists or obstetricians.</p>

<p>NEW YORK, New York — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, five United Nations organizations  and private sector supporters will join together later today via the Clinton Global Initiative  in a new approach to address the rights violations and health impacts of sexual violence against girls.</p>

<p>UNITED NATIONS <strong>— </strong> A key forum on ways to meet the long-neglected sexual and reproductive health needs of people affected by protracted crises, such as conflicts, will be held from 28 to 30 September in Granada, Spain.</p>

<p>BANGKOK— A global action plan linking reproductive health, women’s rights and development remains an urgent priority 15 years after its adoption, Asian and the Pacific governments affirmed today.</p>

<p>KATHMANDU, Nepal — Geri Halliwell, a Goodwill Ambassador of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, made an impassioned plea for the protection of women as she joined Nepal’s Prime Minister, Madhav Kumar Nepal, in launching a national campaign to stop violence against women here today.</p>

<p>BERLIN, Germany — A global forum held in Berlin put governments and international donors on notice that advocates for women’s health and rights will now be speaking more frankly and pressing more strongly for speedy action, investment and an end to gender-based discrimination.</p>

HANOI, Viet Nam – Viet Nam has experienced an unusual rapid rise of the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) over the last few years. While in 2000 the SRB was at normal levels and was estimated to be 106.2 male births per 100 female births, it increased to 112.1 in 2008.

<p>KATHMANDU/LONDON — Former Spice Girl, Geri Halliwell, a Goodwill Ambassador of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, will be in Nepal from 6 to 9 September to highlight the devastating effects of maternal death and injuries such as uterine prolapse on women in the country. A mother herself, Ms. Halliwell will witness efforts to make motherhood safer in the country.</p>

<p>BERLIN — Activists from 131 countries convened here today to recharge a global movement for women’s health and rights, opening with an appeal from a leading German minister for countries to earmark 1 per cent of their economic stimulus funds for development needs</p>

<p>BERLIN — More than 400 delegates from around the world are scheduled to gather here this week for a new conversation assessing 15 years of work towards better sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights for women in developing countries</p>

<p>NUSA DUA, Indonesia <b>—</b> Speaking at the 9th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP) in Bali, Ms. Mane called for an end to harassment of sex workers, injecting drug users and men who have sex with men, and said HIV prevention efforts in the region need to focus on these groups, which account for most new infections in the region.</p>

<p>UNITED NATIONS — The partnership between faith-based organizations and UNFPA on common goals will “help unleash the tremendous potential for action that remains untapped within the faith-based community”, said William Vendley, Secretary-General of Religions for Peace.</p>