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Reproductive Health Equity in the Arab Region: Policy Brief 2019
The time is right for the Arab region to embrace a policy movement towards eliminating the systematic unfair inequalities in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) as a core development goal and a whole of government performance indicator.
This movement is anchored on the three main pillars of the current development thinking. The first is the ambitious ICPD beyond 2014 framework1 that places people’s well-being at the center and acknowledges their aspirations for dignity and human rights, adopts a rights based approach, and embraces equity and fairness.
Reproductive Health Equity in the Arab Region
This report responds to the new International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) beyond 2014 framework that places people’s well-being at the center and acknowledges their aspirations for dignity and human rights, adopts a rights based approach, and embraces equity and fairness. It is also anchored on the widely adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its pledge to “Leaving no one behind”. It addresses current regional concerns with sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and mainstreams an equity lens in SRH policies and actions.
Beirut Explosion Situation Report No.8
Almost three months after the blast that rocked the Lebanese capital city of Beirut, urgent needs for protection, food, health, shelter and WASH remain critical. The loss of livelihoods, compounded by the current COVID-19 outbreak, as well as the country’s financial and economic crises, have raised the demand for substantial and long-term humanitarian assistance. In this context, the UN and partners are actively engaged in the development of the World Bank Group, European Union and UN Reform, Recovery and Reconstruction Framework (3RF) – a critical step in the transition from immediate humanitarian programmes to more sustainable interventions and support for recovery and reconstruction.
Addressing Unintended Pregnancy in the Arab Region Policy Brief 2019
Unintended pregnancy and unsafe abortion are serious public health issues in the Arab region that often go ignored, jeopardizing the health of women and families and placing a burden on society as a whole. Although family planning services have expanded in the region, and a growing number of women are using modern contraceptives. However, rates of unintended pregnancy remain high. On average, two in five pregnancies are unplanned, and half of these unintended pregnancies result in abortion, which is illegal in Arab countries (except for Tunisia) and largely unsafe, putting women’s lives and health at risk.
Addressing unintended pregnancy in the Arab region
Abortion continues to be a key contributor to maternal mortalities and morbidities in the Arab states region. With zero preventable maternal deaths and zero unmet need for family planning clearly articulated as strategic priorities of UNFPA at global, regional and national levels, UNFPA Arab States Regional Office (ASRO) in partnership with Middle East North Africa Health Policy Forum (MENA-HPF) launched this desk review and analysis that scanned available data and literature to analyze the situation of abortion-related legislations and practices, the magnitude of unsafe abortion and its root causes in the Arab states region.
Beirut Explosion Situation Report No.7
Almost two months and a half after the Beirut explosion of 4 August, Lebanon finds itself in an increasingly difficult and volatile situation as the country struggles with both political turmoil and a humanitarian crisis. According to the Lebanese Armed Forces, the explosion resulted in 202 fatalities, while 9 people (3 Lebanese, 5 Syrians and 1 Egyptian) are still reported missing. Already ravaged by the 4 August explosion, 9 October was a frightening day for Lebanon as well. A fire, caused by the explosion of a fuel tank, broke out in Beirut’s western neighbourhood of Tariq al-Jadide, resulting in four deaths and more than 30 injuries. On that same day, massive forest fires erupted in several areas across Lebanon, mainly in the southern areas of Jezzine, Nabatieh and Tyre as well as the Chouf and North Lebanon. In Tyre, UNIFIL helicopters were deployed to extinguish the fires as they edged toward residents' homes.
COVID-19: UNFPA Best Practices and Lessons Learned in Humanitarian Operations in Arab Region
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to redefine the realities of nations throughout the world, creating new and unprecedented challenges. The pandemic and its long-term ramifications have revealed many of the structural issues that underlie societies, highlighting systemic inequalities across race, gender, socioeconomic status, and others. In humanitarian contexts, the pandemic has exacerbated the challenges already impacting communities in need, be it through health risks, the economic fallout, or on human rights and social harmony.
STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF NATIONAL COMMITMENTS IN NAIROBI ICPD SUMMIT MOROCCO
Building on Nairobi Summit and strengthening inter-regional/regional networking and partnerships for concrete actions to address Nairobi Commitments at the National level, a pilot study that was conducted in the selected Asian and African Countries in the region Morocco and Palestine, Sri Lanka and Lao PDR to address challenges and gaps required for the implementation of the commitments in addition to the required recommendations "To accelerate The Promise"
STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF NATIONAL COMMITMENTS IN NAIROBI ICPD SUMMIT- PALESTINE
Building on Nairobi Summit and strengthening inter-regional/regional networking and partnerships for concrete actions to address Nairobi Commitments at the National level, a pilot study that was conducted in the selected Asian and African Countries in the region Morocco and Palestine, Sri Lanka and Lao PDR to address challenges and gaps required for the implementation of the commitments in addition to the required recommendations "To accelerate The Promise"
EVOLUTION OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES WITHIN THE SYRIA CRISIS RESPONSE
The conflict in Syria has generated one of the most severe and protracted humanitarian crises ever faced. Now into its 10th year, over 5.5 million refugees are still registered1 in five neighbouring countries and over six million people are currently displaced within Syria. This represents the largest displacement of population in the world.
UNFPA is ensuring the overall coordination and harmonisation of the Syria Crisis Response through the UNFPA Regional Syria Crisis Response Hub (the Hub) of the Arab States Regional Office (ASRO) based in Amman, Jordan.