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Hold On A Minute

Podcast: Hold On A Minute

About the podcast

UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, strives to shape a world in which every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.

‘Hold on a minute’ is a podcast series presented by UNFPA Asia and the Pacific, in which we share stories of hope, challenges that remain, and solutions needed to make this vision a reality for every woman and young person. Tune in to find out more from our subject-matter experts and inspirational stories from across the Asia-Pacific region.


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Episodes

In Asia and the Pacific, 10 women die every hour due to complications in pregnancy and childbirth. Most of these deaths are preventable through skilled midwifery care.  

In our first episode of this podcast series,  we invited UNFPA Asia-Pacific Regional Advisor for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Catherine Breen Kamkong, and Midwifery Educator from PaTpua New Guinea, Cherolyn Polomon, to discuss the current state of maternal health in the region and explain how investing in midwives can saves lives.

Tune in to find out more from our subject-matter experts and inspirational stories from across the Asia-Pacific region.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS  |  TRANSCRIPT

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Embark on a journey to remote communities, where resilient women, often forgotten and left behind, endure a profound and life-altering injury while embracing the miraculous act of childbirth. On the 2nd episode of podcast series Hold On A Minute, we address one of the most painful and damaging injuries which can occur to women during childbirth called obstetric fistula, if not properly supported by skilled birth attendants.

We invited UNFPA Asia-Pacific Regional Advisor for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Catherine Breen Kamkong, and prominent physician and surgeon from Pakistan and Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the UK, Doctor Shershah Syed to explain how we can put an end to obstetric fistula through midwifery investment.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS | TRANSCRIPT

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Every woman should have the right to decide if, when, and how many children to have. 

In the context of World Population Day on 11th May, Episode 3 of Podcast ‘Hold on a minute’ discusses women's reproductive rights and choices and why gender equality is key to social-economic development in Asia-Pacific, the most populous region.

Our guest, UNFPA Asia and the Pacific Regional Director Björn Andersson will help us delve into the pressing need for policies to shift their focus from populations and numbers, to individual lives and rights. 

ABOUT THE SPEAKER | TRANSCRIPT 

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Providing adolescents and young people with scientifically accurate and age-tailored information on sexual and reproductive health and rights, and engaging them in a conversation on gender equality, relationships, and consent, can have enormously empowering and gender-transformative effects on individuals and entire communities.

Tune into this episode to find out how knowledge and education on sexual and reproductive health and rights can transform the lives of young people for the better.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER | TRANSCRIPT 

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Humanitarians provide essential sexual and reproductive health services on the ground to ensure women and girls can uphold their dignity, health, and safety during crises. These life-saving interventions take place amidst the complexities of disasters, spanning from political turbulence and pandemics to economic downturns and climate fluctuations.

On World Humanitarian Day, our experts Tomoko Kurokawa, Regional Humanitarian Advisor for UNFPA Asia-Pacific and Kristine Blokhus, UNFPA Representative in Bangladesh share their extensive experience within the realm of international development, particularly in humanitarian contexts across Asia and the Pacific, and beyond. They explain how committed humanitarian practitioners working on ground provide an indispensable lifeline of support to women and girls in moments of crisis. Tune in to learn more!

 

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS | TRANSCRIPT

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In marking the 30th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD);, a milestone dedicated to advancing women's reproductive health and rights on both national and global stages since the historic 1994 Conference in Cairo, this 6th episode of podcast series offering nuanced discussion of the progress and a continued commitment to prioritize women's health and empowerment while fostering peaceful, resilient, and sustainable societies.

Tune in to the episode as we explore how the rapidly evolving world has influenced our journey in Asia and the Pacific, considering various trends. Our focus remains steadfast on preventing maternal mortality, reducing child marriage, and addressing complex issues like teenage pregnancy, gender-based violence, and gender-biased sex selection.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER | TRANSCRIPT

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Discover why investing in a woman’s sexual and reproductive health isn't just about healthcare – it's about nurturing her entire essence.

From childhood to the bold strides of adulthood, we explore the pivotal stages of a woman's life and understand how strategic investments, both public and private, have an immense impact on her health and rights.

In this podcast episode, Davide DeBeni, Health Economics Advisor for UNFPA Asia-Pacific, and Tomas Livens, Managing Partner for Human Devleopment at Genesis Analytics explain how such investments can enhance the availability, acceptance, and affordability of ensuring that every woman and girl's sexual and reproductive health rights are not just acknowledged but fulfilled.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS  |  TRANSCRIPT

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Embark on a captivating journey into the heart of the Asia-Pacific, exploring how sweeping changes are transforming societies, unravelling the impact of population ageing from burgeoning healthcare costs to dwindling working-age populations.

This podcast isn't just about facts and figures; it's about people — particularly women — deserving vibrant, meaningful, and independent later years. Join Dr. Rintaro Mori, Population and Development Advisor, UNFPA Asia-Pacific Regional Office, and Dr. Tengku Aizan Hamid, Professor in Gerontology and Social Policy and Rearch Associate, Malaysian Research Institute on Ageing (MyAgeing) and be part of the conversation that's redefining ageing, fostering inclusivity, and shaping a purposeful future.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS  |  TRANSCRIPT

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In this compelling episode, we delve deep into the critical issue of child marriage – a stark challenge to gender equality and a violation of the fundamental human rights of young girls, with Ms. Upala Devi, the UNFPA Asia-Pacific Regional Gender and Human Rights Technical Adviser based in Bangkok, Thailand, and Ms. Indira Pancholi, a feminist-human rights activist and founder of 'Mahila Jan Adhikar Samiti', a women-led organisation based in central Rajasthan, India.

Our exploration exposes the gap between legislative efforts to end child marriage and the real-world hurdles, especially in times of economic stress.

Be a part of the dialogue as we work towards a world where every girl truly matters. Take a moment to join us on the journey to forge a brighter and more just future together!

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS  |  TRANSCRIPT

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Gender-based violence is one of our region's most pervasive human rights issues. How do we know this? Dive deep into how Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is measured with UNFPA Asia Pacific's Jessica Gardner,  Census Director Ariunbold Shagdar from the National Statistics Office of Mongolia, and former UNFPA specialist Oyun Banzragch. Explore how data empowers policy makers and advocates in the fight against gender-based violence in the Asia-Pacific region. Prevalence data not only unveils the stark reality of gender-based violence but also guides targeted interventions for those most in need.

From training interviewers through to communicating results, hear how the team in Mongolia has been using their data to change the narrative for women and girls. 

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS  |  TRANSCRIPT

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Global evidence exposes a harsh reality: persons with disabilities face heightened risks of violence and exploitation. Join us as we unravel the complex link between disability and violence, shedding light on the increased vulnerability of women and girls. Discover the contributing factors and barriers that intensify these challenges. In this epsidoe, disability activist Abia Akram from Pakistan joins UNFPA Asia Pacific's Sujata Tuladhar to speak about the progress that has been made in disability inclusion and the new initiatives breaking barriers for women and girls with a disability to live free from violence. 

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS  |  TRANSCRIPT

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Uncover the untold stories on our podcast as we shine a spotlight on the pivotal role of women and girls across Asia-Pacific! Did you know that evidence points to a stark lack of gender equity in the design and development of science, technology, and financial solutions? From healthcare to well-being and education, the playing field isn't level.

In industries like science, medicine, and engineering, the norm often defaults to the young, Caucasian, 70kg male. It's time to challenge the status quo and explore how we can reshape a world that's designed with everyone in mind, especially women. Join us on this thought-provoking journey as we unravel the complexities, celebrate the resilience of women, and envision a world that truly caters to all. In this episode, UNFPA Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Pio Smith talks about why the world needs to be redesigned for women.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS  |  TRANSCRIPT

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