Dr. Osotimehin Appointed Executive Director of UNPFA

Late last week, Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon appointed Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin as the Executive Director of the href= "http://www.unfpa.org/public/home/news/pid/6942" target= "_blank">United Nations Population Fund (UNPFA), which focuses on reproductive health, gender equality and population and development strategies. Dr. Osotimehin of Nigeria is currently a Professor of Medicine at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria and the African Spokesperson for the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health. He will succeed Thoraya Ahmed Obaid of Saudi Arabia and begin as Executive Director on December 31.

Dr. Osotimehin has previously served as both the Minister of Health and Director General at Nigeria's National Agency for the Control of HIV and AIDS. He received his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Ibadan and his MD from University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom.

President of the United Nations Foundation Timothy Wirth commented, Dr. Osotimehin's appointment "comes at a critical time for women and girls across the globe...More than 215 million women in developing countries want access to family planning but don't have it."

Media Resources: United Nations Population Fund Press Release 11/19/10; International Women's Health Coalition Press Release 11/19/10; United Nations Foundation 6/9/10

© Feminist Majority Foundation, publisher of Ms. magazine

If you liked this story, consider making a tax-deductible donation to support Ms. magazine.