<p class="bodytext"> <strong>UNITED NATIONS, New York</strong>—UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is extremely concerned about the plight of civilians in the Gaza Strip, and reiterates the call by the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and all other voices for an immediate halt of military hostilities that are heavily impacting the civilian population.</p>

<p class="bodytext"> <strong>UNITED NATIONS, New York</strong>—The Campaign to End Fistula was today recognized as a model for championing collaboration between countries in the Global South, receiving an award of excellence from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).</p>

<p class="bodytext"> <strong>UNITED NATIONS, New York</strong>—Development strategies that are sensitive to cultural values can reduce harmful practices against women and promote human rights, including gender equality and women’s empowerment, affirms <i>The State of World Population 2008</i> report from UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund.</p>

<p> <b>ISTANBUL, Türkiye</b>—More than 75 religious leaders and representatives of Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Jewish, Christian and Muslim faith-based organizations today formed a Global Interfaith Network to strengthen cooperation against the global urgencies of maternal death, AIDS and poverty.</p>

<p> <strong>UNITED NATIONS, New York</strong>—As the first-ever report by the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon on fistula is scheduled to be presented to Member States today, the Campaign to End Fistula announced a fourfold increase in the number of countries it serves.</p>

<p class="bodytext"> <strong>UNITED NATIONS, New York</strong>—Donor contributions for contraceptives and condoms for HIV prevention amounted to $223 million in 2007—a mere 5 per cent increase over the 2006 total of $212 million, according to a new analysis by UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund. This is despite a growing unmet need for such supplies, as more couples use modern methods of contraception and world population continues to increase.</p>

<p class="bodytext">Today, 25 September 2008, as world leaders gather for the High-Level Event on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), we jointly pledge to intensify our support to countries to achieve Millennium Development Goal 5 “To Improve Maternal Health” – the MDG showing the least progress.</p>

<p> <b>New York, 22 September 2008 —</b> UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, and the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) have launched a new initiative to tackle the severe lack of midwives in developing countries.</p>

<p class="bodytext"> <strong>UNITED NATIONS, New York, 12 September 2008</strong>—More than 800,000 people are in dire need of humanitarian assistance in Haiti in the wake of hurricanes Fay and Gustav and tropical storm Hanna. Houses, medical facilities, main roads and bridges have been destroyed, and an estimated 100,000 people have sought refuge in temporary shelters.</p>

<p>Purnima Mane, Deputy Executive Director of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, and Gill Greer, Director-General of IPPF, the International Planned Parenthood Federation, in collaboration with Young Positives and the Global Coalition on Women and AIDS, today launched <i> <a href="http://www.unfpa.org/publications/detail.cfm?ID=358&filterListType=1">Make it Matter</a> </i>, a guide to help prevent HIV among girls and young women.</p>

<p>Thoraya Ahmed Obaid and Inés Alberdi, Executive Directors of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, and of the United Nations Development Fund for Women, respectively, co-chaired a session Sunday on the links between gender-based violence and HIV/AIDS.</p>

<p>Women’s participation in decision-making is crucial to a more effective response to HIV and AIDS.</p>