NEWSFLASH

The New Generation of Family Planning Leaders recognizes and highlights the achievements of the next generation of family planning leaders worldwide. The project launched on September 26, 2015, World Contraception Day - an annual event that focuses international attention on enabling young people to make informed decisions about family planning and reproductive health. Three rounds are planned: 2016, 2017 and 2019. Each project year, nominations of young family planning champions were accepted. In order to be eligible, nominees had to be 40 years or younger. The winners were chosen from this pool of nominees by the public, via online voting, and by a jury of experts and leaders in family planning, via scoring. Each of the 40 winners receive $1,000 from The Gates Institute to continue their work in family planning and/or begin innovative new projects.

A young nurse from Pakistan, Sarmad Muhammad Soomar received the 120 under 40 award this year. He was awarded this title on the basis of his strong profile as a young leader contributing to society in terms of improving their health and family planning. Talking to Us, Sarmad shared his future plans related to emotional hygiene, mental health and its connection with family planning: “We will be using the award’s funding to integrate art based approaches to involve young people in expressing their concerns and situations regarding family planning and reproductive health. This will encompasses activities like laughter yoga, arts, open mic, poetry etc. to express their feelings and emotions pertaining to their experiences of reproductive health.”

Pakistan wins U21 South Asian Badminton Championship 2019

Pakistani duo Raja Zulqarnain Haider and Mohammad Adnan has won the Men’s Doubles gold medal after beating the Indian pair in the final of U21 South Asian Regional Championship 2019 played at Addu City in the Maldives. Pakistan also won the mixed team event (bronze medal) in the championship that was held from 5th to 10th October.

By Hamza Hasan