UNFPA has announced that Dr Jotham Musinguzi and the Al-Azhar University in Egypt are the winners of the 2013 United Nations Population Award.
Dr. Jotham Musinguzi has been a strong advocate for reproductive health for many years. Sunce 2007, he has been the Regional Director of Partnership in Population and Development Africa Regional Office (PPD ARO), and has served in a variety of other public health positions, including as the Director of the Ugandan Population Secretariat. He played a major role in drafting the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo in 1994, as well as in ensuring the inclusion of reproductive health in the outcome documents of other UN Conferences. Dr Musinguzi was actively involved in negotiations on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). And in the preparation of the Maputo Plan of Action, adopted by the African Union in 2006. Most recently he contributed to the success of the 2012 London Summit on Family Planning.
Dr. Jotham Musinguzi at the SEAPCAOH Meeting held at the Munyonuo Commonwealth Resort, Uganda. 29-31 August 2012
The International Islamic Centre for Population Studies and Research of the Al-Azhar University is one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the Muslim world. Founded in 1975, it conducts population studies and research in Muslim countries and is recognized by Muslim communities as a credible source of information on population issues. The Centre, which integrates population research, family planning and bioethics, works in all parts of the Islamic world, as well as amongst Muslim communities in non-Muslim countries and has been active in efforts to eradicate female genital mutilation/cutting.
The Awards will be presented during a 28 June ceremony at the United Nations.