The maternal mortality ratio is unacceptably high in Africa. Forty per cent of all pregnancy-related deaths worldwide occur in Africa. On average, over 7 women die per 1,000 live births. About 22,000 African women die each year from unsafe abortion, reflecting a high unmet need for contraception. Contraceptive use among women in union varies from 50 per cent in the southern sub-region to less than 10 per cent in middle and western Africa" UNFPA
Early and unwanted childbearing, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and pregnancy-related illnesses and deaths account for a significant proportion of the burden of illness experienced by women in Africa. Gender-based violence is an influential factor negatively impacting on the sexual and reproductive health of one in every three women. Many are unable to control decisions to have sex or to negotiate safer sexual practices, placing them at great risk of disease and health complications.
According to UNAIDS, there is an estimated of 22.2 million people living with HIV in Sub-Saharan African in 2009, which represents 68% of the global HIV burden. Women are at higher risk than men to be infected by HIV, their vulnerability remains particulary high in the Sub-Saharan Africa and 76% of all HIV women in the world live in this region.
In almost all countries in the Sub-Saharan Africa region, the majority of people living with HIV are women, especially girls and women aged between 15-24. Not only are women more likely to become infected, they are more severely affected. Their income is likely to fall if an adult man loses his job and dies. Since formal support to women are very limited, they may have to give up some income-genrating activities or sacrifice school to take care of the sick relatives.
For more information on HIV/AIDS and Reproductive health, please visit the following websites:
Source: IRIN
After dropping out of school in the sixth grade to help her mother, Fartun Abdi Hashi, 22, was given a second chance at earning an income with a sanitary pads project.
Source: allAfrica.com
Kampala — The shortage of health workers in Uganda is a "crisis", says the Minister of Health, and activists say expectant mothers are bearing the brunt of the country's staffing deficiency.
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Source: The Guardian
A support campaign for Swazi women living with HIV is transforming lives, but needs international backing. Siphiwe Hlophe's shrewd, enterprising spirit is apparent within moments of meeting her.
When Jackie Nalule was pregnant with her first child, she did not get the two required tetanus toxoid vaccines.
Source: IRIN
KIGALI, 24 October 2011 (PlusNews) - A proposed initiative to distribute condoms to Rwandan secondary school students has divided parents, teachers and other members of society, with some cheering the plan and others concerned that teens are not mature enough to use condoms responsibly.
Source: IRIN
ANTALAHA, 12 October 2011 (IRIN) - Daniel Soadava and Samoela Razafindramboho are known as "the mean women" in Antalaha, a small town on the east coast of Madagascar. "Men complain that we are always saying bad things about them," they laugh.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged developing countries today to not lose momentum in their ongoing efforts to improve women and children’s health and warned there is still much to be done to tackle this issue.
IN Uganda, about 4,000 women die from pregnancy and childbirth related complications every year.
Source: The Observer
Women in Uganda will now access Microgynon Fe, one of the world's most widely used contraceptives, at an affordable price.
Source: IRIN News
Daniel Soadava and Samoela Razafindramboho are known as "the mean women" in Antalaha, a small town on the east coast of Madagascar. "Men complain that we are always saying bad things about them," they laugh.
A midwife from Katine village in Uganda is fronting a campaign to draw attention to Africa's high maternal mortality rates and advocate for ways to reduce it. Priscilla Alupo is propped up on a bed in Tiriri health centre's postnatal ward on a sunny Saturday afternoon in Katine, north east Uganda.