| (10 July 2007) In Latin America and the Caribbean, 89% of all births are attended by trained personnel, although in most poor countries the conditions of maternity service remain deficient. The United Nations Millennium Development Goals Report 2007 demonstrates that the region is making good progress in meeting five of the eight millennium development goals. But continued improvement in maternal health requires the help of men, as noted by "Men at Work," the theme of this year's World Population Day, celebrated on 11 July. The importance of men's participation in family life has become more evident with every new study. Men's support of pregnant wives and sharing responsibility for child-rearing can make all the difference in women's lives. In Latin America, old-fashioned machismo (attitudes of male superiority) is on the wane. Change is underway in this region, as women have fewer children and the population ages. In a Brazilian city and a Peruvian community, innovative projects are showing the benefits of men and women working together. As finalists in the Experiences in Social Innovation competition organized by ECLAC and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, two projects are encouraging men to take an active role in child-rearing and family life. ? In Lima, Peru, Sólo para Papá ("Only for Dad") is building bonds of trust between parents and health institutions by helping men to reclaim their parental role in child-rearing. The project supports men's participation in key periods of family development over children's first three years with activities to promote health, nutrition, early learning stimulation and school enrollment. Through the programme, men become empowered as fathers and expand their paternal role. The project reduces the social costs of poverty and lack of education. (Contact: María Isabel Cifuentes, Asociación Taller de los Niños; E-mail: ceitani terra.com.pe; Tel: (51) 1-461-9389). ? In Brazil, the town of Vitória, Espíritu Santo is working to reduce maternal-child mortality, a key indicator of social reality. The local municipality created an alliance with the community, universities, churches and NGOs. It began by improving relations between the community and health professionals to encourage more caring and careful care. The city seeks to guarantee access to health care, based on respect and inclusion, for families at risk. (Contact: Renilsa Silveira Amorim Souza, Secretaría Municipal de Salud de Vitória; E-mail: renilsavitoria.es.gov; Tel: (5527) 3332 5054 / 3132 5058). | Complete information about this competition, including multi-media materials in Spanish, English, French and Portuguese, is posted at: http://www.cepal.org/dds/innovacionsocial . E-mail: innovacion.socialcepal.org Telephones: (56-2) 210-2148/ 2451/2263. | |
