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: Health-e (Cape Town)
Our doctor-turned-blogger continues her rural awakening as she is confronted by illiteracy and mother-to-child HIV transmission on a long night shift in the wards.She looks up at me and nods, but I'm almost sure she doesn't understand.
"You need to have this operation because the baby is getting tired," I say. "Sign here that you agree... "
Source: Quartz Family planning counts for a lot when it comes to development in poor countries. It lowers mortality among women and infants, improves educational outcomes, and slows population growth. It also makes it easier for women to enter the workforce, which acts as an economic booster shot even in wealthy nations such as Japan.
Source: IRIN News A new Ugandan sex-education campaign to reduce teen pregnancy, maternal mortality among young women and girls, and the cost of post-abortion medical care, is generating heated debate.
Source: New Vision Government in conjunction with SNV Uganda has started skilling pupils in making sanitary pads to curb female pupils' absenteeism from school during menstrual periods.
Source: The Guardian
As young feminists, we often hear that the rights of girls need to be recognised, their voices amplified and their needs met. We are told that when girls are empowered, they can change their communities and the world.
Source: allAfrica
All pregnant, HIV positive women will go onto lifelong antiretroviral treatment from January, Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi announced in his health budget vote yesterday.
Source: The Nigerian Observer
The role of women in Maternal Newborn and Child Health Advocacy and Services cannot be over-emphasized. Below are six steps suggested by Alice Welbourn, Founding Director of Salamander Trust.
Source: The Star The Government has allocated Sh400 million to finance the sanitary towels programme in primary schools in the country, Cabinet Secretary for Education, Prof. Jacob Kaimenyi has said.
Source: UNFPA
As the deadline for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) draws near, advocates are intensifying efforts to improve maternal and newborn survival.
Source: GhanaWeb
The Executive Director of the Obaapa Development Foundation, Nanahemaa Adjoa Awindor, is pushing for stricter punishment of males who impregnate teenage girls.
Source: SAnews
"Women give life, and the right to life is one that we all hold sacred", highlighted Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa last week at the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health 2014 Forum. With less than 500 days remaining before the 2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) deadline, the Forum reminded governments from around the globe that the fight against high maternal and childhood mortality is far from over.