BANGKOK, 22 May 2023: UNFPA Asia and the Pacific Regional office released today the first episode of a new podcast series titled ‘Hold on a minute’ to shed light on the challenges facing women and girls across the region when it comes to the full realization of their sexual and reproductive health and rights and gender equality. 

The podcast will utilize the power of storytelling to bring to life how change-makers and front line service providers are striving to bring about progress and improve the lives of women and young people in their communities on a daily basis. Subject-matter experts will be invited to present the evidence, analyze the causes of the problems, and offer solutions and recommendations.

“I am delighted to launch UNFPA Asia-Pacific’s new podcast series which offers a platform for exchanging knowledge and experiences from across this geographically vast and diverse region, on the topics of sexual and reproductive health and rights, population and development issues, and gender equality. My hope is for this podcast to create a deeper understanding, among a large audience, of the reality for many women and young people in the region, and what we need to do collectively to improve their lives,” said Mr. Björn Andersson, Regional Director for UNFPA Asia and the Pacific. 

While progress has been made in Asia and the Pacific region for women and young people, there are over 130 million women who still do not have access to family planning services and information to be able to plan their pregnancies. Adolescents and youth lack access to comprehensive sexuality education that is key for them to make informed decisions about their bodies. The proportion of women reported to have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner is high. At the same time, countries are facing demographic shifts, presenting an increasing need for human rights-based and gender-sensitive policies to address population and development issues, such as population ageing. 

The first episode of the podcast discusses the state of maternal health in the region, where 10 women die every hour due to complications in pregnancy and childbirth, and how investing in skilled and well-equipped midwives can save the lives of women and newborns. Podcast host from Thailand, Chaowarat (Poupae) Yongjiranon, moderates an engaging conversation with UNFPA Asia-Pacific Regional Advisor for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Catherine Breen Kamkong, and Midwifery Educator from Papua New Guinea, Cherolyn Polomon. 

The podcast series comprises 12 episodes to be released between May-December 2023 and will be available on UNFPA Asia-Pacific’s website https://asiapacific.unfpa.org/en/holdonaminute as well as on popular platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Spotify. 

For more information, please contact:

Iman Morooka, UNFPA Asia-Pacific, morooka@unfpa.org 

Randima Jayasinghe, UNFPA-Asia Pacific, jjayasinghe@unfpa.org