United Nations Radio

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The United Nations Population Award was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1981 in recognition of individuals and organizations outstanding contributions to the awareness of population issues and their solutions. This year's laureates are a renowned Egyptian doctor, Mahmoud Fathalla and a Nicaraguan Non-Governmental Organization, Movimiento Comunal Nicaraguense. UN Radio's Jocelyne Sambira reports.

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NARRATOR: A gold medal, a diploma and a monetary prize is what the laureates receive during this prestigious ceremony. Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, The Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund, read the citation for the laureate in the individual award winning category.

OBAID: In recognition of his exemplary achievements in contributing to increased understanding of population issues and to the design of effective solutions as pioneer founder of one of the first family planning organizations in the Arab World. (FADE OUT CLIP)

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NARRATOR: The United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon recently challenged the World Health Assembly to build a world where a woman should not have to give her life to give life. It is with this vision that he set the tone for this year's award ceremony.

MOON: You all know that population issues are not about numbers, they are about people. When we speak of maternal mortality, we are not just talking about statistics; we are dealing with tragic death. When we urge action, we are not trying to reduce population growth we are trying to help individuals to exercise their rights. The winners we recognize this evening understand the importance of this struggle and they have devoted themselves to advancing a cause.

NARRATOR: Dr. Mahmoud Fathalla is a co-founder of a global organization called Safe Motherhood Initiative which has helped save lives of women in pregnancy and childbirth. In his speech, he also reveals being a staunch supporter of women's rights and shares his convictions and future vision.

FATHALLA: My generation is handing over the torch and with it an unfinished agenda, a long to do list is still pending to shape a world that women deserve. A world that treats women fairly. A world in which the girl-child is her brother's equal in wealth and in care and never again have her genitalia mutilated. A world in which the adolescent girl will be seen as an asset for a good investment in our future. A world in which no woman will have to risk her health and life because of an unwanted pregnancy. A world that will shed the shame, disgrace and the scandal of leaving mothers to suffer and die when they are fulfilling the noble task for survival of our species.

NARRATOR: The laureate for the institutional category went to the Movemento Comunal Nicaraguense whose work with the grassroots has made a huge difference in the lives of ordinary Nicaraguans. I am Jocelyne Sambira reporting for UN Radio.

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