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: News Deeply
Developing countries could count for more than 95 percent of cervical cancer deaths by 2035. In Liberia, a pilot HPV vaccination program aims to cut that number – but first has to overcome mistrust, misinformation and a dire lack of resources.
Source: The New Times
The Organisation of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) has renewed commitment to develop sustainable partnerships to improve Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights and end HIV/AIDS on the continent by 2030, as expressed during the 17th Ordinary General Assembly of OAFLA.
Source: The New Times
The Organisation of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) has renewed commitment to develop sustainable partnerships to improve Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights and end HIV/AIDS on the continent by 2030, as expressed during the 17th Ordinary General Assembly of OAFLA.
Source: Al Jazeera
Rachel is a HIV-positive mother whose goal it is to educate pregnant women in Burkina Faso so that they will not pass on the virus to their children.
Source: The Citizen
Japemungo Julienne watches the maternity ward in Nyarugusu refugee camp from her metal bed frame.
Source: The Citizen
Family planning is probably the last thing on the mind of any person struggling to find food and shelter. It is understandably not something that any person tends to think of while trying to navigate challenging circumstances as a refugee.
Source: The Observer
Margaret Mutetere has seven children. From her stature, one can tell that parenting woes are wearing her down.
Source: The New Times
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has urged African countries to increase investment in family planning to benefit girls and women.
Source: US News
If prostitution becomes legal in South Africa, Nosipho Vidima, a 30-year-old sex worker, knows exactly what she’ll do. She’d start her own business called The Pleasure House, a classy operation staffed with an office administrator trained in finance, a group of prostitutes earning minimum wage – and maybe even an Italian chef.
Source: IPS News
Seventy-three-year-old Dorcus Auma effortlessly weaves sisal fronds into a beautiful basket as she walks the tiny path that snakes up a hill. She wound up her farm work early because today, Thursday, she is required to attend her women’s group gathering at the secretary’s homestead.
Source: WhatsUpHIV
AIDS 2016 kicks off in Durban in four weeks' time with an ambitious goal: to achieve for HIV prevention what AIDS 2000 achieved for treatment in the same city 16 years ago.