Call to prevent 10 million maternal and child deaths
The three-day world conference, "Countdown to 2015", concluded in Cape Town, South Africa, with a call to scale up investment in basic health services and human resources to reduce the number of deaths of children and women - estimated at over 10 million annually, report the agencies. Ministers and parliamentarians participated in the conference on tracking global progress to reduce maternal, newborn and child deaths. The conference, held in parallel with the 118th Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, was convened to assess progress in essential health services for women and children in the 68 developing countries which account for 97 per cent of maternal and child deaths worldwide. The delegates attending the 118th IPU Assembly committed to scale up action to reach MDGs 4 and 5, and agreed to review progress at their next Assembly, to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in April 2009.
The Independent - Bangladesh - 22 April 2008
New Study shows women making progress on political scene
Almost 18 per cent of the members of parliament worldwide are women, according to a new study released to coincide with the Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in South Africa. The report says many of the barriers that have kept women from parliament have been removed, but that much more needs to be done for women to be on an equal footing with men. The report, entitled Equality in politics: a survey of women and men in parliaments, says women are making slow but steady progress. In 1945, only three per cent of members of parliament worldwide were women. That figure is now close to 18 per cent. Researcher Julie Ballington, of the Inter- Parliamentary Union, conducted the global survey. She says some of the biggest gains made by women have been in countries recovering from war. "Several post-conflict States did very well in terms of post-conflict representation", she said. "The reason for that is that all the rules and structures were written from scratch. Women also took part in the liberation struggles in several countries".
Voice of America News - 15 April 2008
Zimbabwe urged to ensure "free and fair" elections
Few observers now believe a free and fair presidential election is possible in Zimbabwe. Following reports of intimidation and violence against supporters of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, its leader Morgan Tsvangirai has pulled out of the presidential run-off. Tsvangirai got more votes than President Robert Mugabe in the first round. The Swiss-based Inter-Parliamentary Union – the world organization of parliaments – is among those calling for the Zimbabwean authorities to respect the rule of law. WRS's Adam Beaumont spoke to Anders Johnsson, Secretary General of the IPU.
World Radio Switzerland - 24 June 2008