Hold On A Minute

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. Let's redefine the narrative together!

Join us in a powerful journey around Asia and the Pacific on our podcast as we delve into the heartbeat of International Women's Day! This year, the theme resonates loud and clear: 'Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress.' With half of our planet's 8 billion people being women, it's time to address the stark disparities in their safety, health, and well-being. In a world buzzing with advancements, from cutting-edge research to technological marvels, the progress seems exponential, yet the benefits remain unevenly distributed. This podcast is a rallying call to break the mold, challenging the status quo. The world as it stands wasn't designed with everyone in mind, especially not for women. Let's embark on a transformative journey together and explore how we can collectively redesign the world to uplift, empower, and celebrate the incredible strength and resilience of women everywhere!

Dive into the unspoken truths at the intersection of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Disability Inclusion. 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. Let's break the silence together!

Imagine a world where 1 in 6 people are more vulnerable to violence... simply because of a disability. Join us on a podcast journey that uncovers the shocking reality of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and how it excessively impacts people with disabilities. This eye-opening conversation, powered by insights from the World Health Organization, will delve into the first-hand accounts and statistics that expose the alarming rates of GBV against people with disabilities. Discover the dedicated efforts of UNFPA to ensure inclusivity and accessibility in the fight against GBV, leaving no one behind. Tune in and become part of the solution!

Dive deep into measuring Gender-Based Violence (GBV) on the newest episode of "Hold on a Minute! By UNFPA Asia-Pacific.” 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. Across the UNFPA Asia Pacific region, 32 out of 36 countries have completed violence against women prevalence surveys, with 29 countries offering insights into intimate partner violence. UNFPA leads technical assistance for prevalence studies, fortifying capabilities for informed policy and programming decisions. Join the movement for a safer and more equitable world with us!

Unlock the power of data in the fight against gender-based violence on the latest episode of "Hold on a Minute! By UNFPA Asia-Pacific." Dive deep into the critical topic of "Measuring Violence Against Women," where we illuminate the pivotal role data plays in preventing one of the most widespread human rights violations globally. Discover how prevalence data empowers UNFPA and its partners to pinpoint the impact of gender-based violence, unraveling the associated factors. Precision targeting becomes possible, paving the way for life-saving interventions. Join us in this insightful conversation that sheds light on the transformative impact data can have on creating a safer and more equitable world.

Delve into the urgent quest to end child marriage in this eye-opening episode! Discover the real-world challenges and witness the incredible transformation when girls are armed with knowledge and skills. Become part of the conversation as we champion Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and strive for a future where every girl's potential counts. Join us in shaping a brighter, more equitable world!

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. 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!

Dive into the Asia-Pacific, the world's fastest aging region, where the echoes of demographic shifts are reshaping societies. Today, many countries are unprepared for the impact of population aging, from surging health and social care expenses to the decline in working-age populations. The decisions made in the corridors of Asia and the Pacific will resonate globally, shaping not just the local landscape but our shared destiny. How this region navigates the complex interplay of population and development will resonate far beyond its borders. This podcast is not just about statistics; it's about people—especially women—who deserve to lead healthy, meaningful, and independent later years. Join us in unraveling the narratives that empower individuals to actively contribute to socioeconomic development throughout their entire lifespan. Tune in now!

Embark on a journey to explore the profound shifts in the Asia-Pacific region, where an unprecedented demographic transformation is heightening. Did you know that by 2050, one in four individuals in Asia-Pacific will be 60 or older, making it the world's fastest-aging region? Join our podcast to unravel the societal impact, from surging health and social care expenses to the dwindling working-age populations. In this episode, we delve into the unpreparedness of many nations in the face of this aging wave and uncover how it reverberates globally. Tune in to our podcast exploring the intricate interplay between population dynamics and societal development.

Discover why investing in a woman's sexual and reproductive health isn't just about healthcare – it's about nurturing her entire essence. Join us on this episode as we unravel the story of strength, resilience, and change. From childhood to the bold strides of adulthood, we explore the pivotal stages of a woman's life. Tune in to understand how strategic investments, both public and private, have an immense impact on her health and rights. Let's unravel how these investments can enhance availability, acceptance, and affordability, ensuring that every woman and girl's sexual and reproductive health rights are not just acknowledged but fulfilled.

Investing in a woman's sexual and reproductive health isn't just about medical care—it's an investment in her holistic well-being, embracing her physical, emotional, mental, and social dimensions across her entire life journey. From infancy to childhood, adolescence to adulthood, and beyond, each stage is an opportunity to empower women. Join us in this compelling episode as we delve into the critical role that both public and private sectors play in revolutionizing the landscape of women's sexual and reproductive health. Discover how these investments are essential for enhancing the availability, acceptance, and affordability of quality services. Together, we can ensure that the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls are not just respected but truly realized.

In this special episode of "Hold On A Minute" by UNFPA, join us as we journey through the remarkable 30-year history of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). Björn Andersson, Former Regional Director for UNFPA Asia and the Pacific, offers firsthand reflections on this transformative journey that began in 1994. As we commemorate the 30-year milestone of ICPD, we delve into how the programme has progressed, ensuring that the rights of women and girls take center stage in global development. This episode focuses on promoting women's health and empowerment, through which we can build peaceful, resilient, and sustainable societies, all while discussing the evolving challenges of migration, urbanization, aging, climate change, and digitalization, which shape governments' ongoing efforts to accelerate the 1994 Programme of Action. Find out more in the episode now!

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.

Tune in now for a closer look at how the dedicated humanitarians from UNFPA and our partners play a vital role in providing critical support to millions of women, girls, and young people during humanitarian crises. 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. Find out more on this episode!

In commemoration of World Humanitarian Day, this is an occasion to honour the humanitarian heroes who operate on the frontlines, delivering indispensable assistance in the face of challenges amidst chaos and confusion. It is also an opportunity to foster global awareness around how different crises impact women and girls, particularly their sexual and reproductive health. Join us in this episode, where we delve into the realm of how humanitarians serve on the ground to uphold the dignity of women and girls amidst crises by providing life-saving health services to ensure pregnant women can still give birth safely, and that women and girls are safeguarded from increased risks of violence. Don't miss out on this episode!

Dive into this episode where we unveil how equipping young people with knowledge and education, including on sexual and reproductive health and rights, can transform lives and communities in the Asia-Pacific region. Join our experts as they discuss what is 'Comprehensive Sexuality Education', and how it can empower young people through scientifically accurate and gender-transformative learning materials and methods. Tune into this episode to find out the game-changing effect of knowledge and empowerment!

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.

Join us on this episode to uncover the key to creating policies that truly prioritize people over mere populations. Learn why it's crucial for governments and societies to guarantee women and their partners the power to freely navigate their reproductive choices, while eradicating discrimination, coercion, and violence. We'll explore the path towards universal access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, amplifying awareness through engaging sexuality education, and dismantling harmful cultural and societal norms that restrict women's autonomy. Through a holistic rights-based approach, policies must empower women at every stage of their lives, enabling them to confidently decide on their own reproductive health. Tune in now and embark on a journey that explains a world of knowledge, igniting the sparks of change within you!

Every woman should have the right to decide if, when, and how many children to have. The Asia and the Pacific region is home to over half of the world's 8 billion population, with more than half of them women and girls. On this World Population Day on 11 July, we discuss whether women in the region are able to exercise their reproductive choices, and why gender equality and human rights are key to realizing women's reproductive health and rights. In this episode, we delve into the pressing need for policies to shift their focus from populations and numbers, to individual lives and rights. Join us for this enriching episode, where we uncover a wealth of knowledge and ignite your passion to make a positive impact! #ReproductiveChoice #WorldPopulationDay

In this episode, we focus on the often overlooked women living in remote areas, who face significant challenges and are disproportionately affected by a life-altering injury resulting from the process of giving birth. Our main topic for today is obstetric fistula, a distressing and debilitating injury experienced by women during childbirth, which occurs when a woman endures a prolonged and obstructed labor without receiving timely and adequate maternal healthcare. This condition inflicts long-lasting physical and emotional trauma on women, if not treated, leading to chronic medical issues, depression, social isolation, and deepening poverty. Join us as we engage with experts who shed light on the underlying causes of obstetric fistula and explore ways to put an end to this tragic condition, including investing in qualified midwives. Don't miss this episode featuring insightful discussions with subject-matter experts and powerful stories of women facing, and overcoming fistula.

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 this episode 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 will hear from experts to understand the reasons behind obstetric fistula, how trained midwives can help prevent it from happening, and what we can do to end this tragic condition. Prepare to be moved and inspired as our subject-matter experts and captivating stories from the vibrant Asia-Pacific region take centre stage. Don't miss out—tune in to unveil a world of knowledge and ignite your desire to make a difference.

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 Papua 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.

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 Papua 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.