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.
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On Monday, Kenyans who acknowledge Mother's Day will mark the occasion in a country ranked as one of the worst places on earth to be born.
Source: GAVI Alliance
A new record low price for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines will help ensure millions of girls in developing countries can be protected against cervical cancer. Thanks to the GAVI Alliance, the poorest countries will now have access to a sustainable supply of HPV vaccines for as low as US$ 4.50 per dose. The same vaccines can cost more than $100 in developed countries and the previous lowest public sector price was $13 per dose.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today highlighted the role that the private sector can play in contributing to improve maternal health services across the world through the United Nations Every Woman Every Child initiative.
Since its emergence in 2007, Pink Pearl Foundation has shown its dedication, determination, and assertiveness in eradicating breast and cervical cancer in Nigeria.
A baby's birth day is the most dangerous day of life--in the United States and almost every country in the world--according to Save the Children's State of the World's Mothers report, released today.
More than 50 government, civil society, academic and United Nations experts came together for a meeting coordinated by the African Union (AU) in partnership with UN Women from 24 to 26 April in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to review key frameworks and initiatives on maternal and newborn child health and recommend actions for reduction of maternal and child deaths in Africa.
AFRICA: Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS): Sub-Saharan Africa’s Secret Scourge of Girls and Women
PLOS NTDs editor-in-chief Peter Hotez highlights the subject of Female Genital Schistosomiasis in Africa that continues to affect women there heavily, yet receives disproportionally little attention.
Source: Premium Times
About 24 days from now, thousands of medical practitioners, policy makers, development workers and advocates for improved health care delivery for women will converge on Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia. Their mission will be the third edition of the Women Deliver Conference, a global conference put together by Women Deliver, an advocacy group comprising a coalition of organisations working towards generating "political commitment and resource investments to reduce maternal mortality and achieve universal access to reproductive health."
Source: The Standard
The Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) has said the distribution of female condoms rose sharply following the launch of a home meeting concept. A recent survey by ZNFPC revealed that the supply of female condoms from the national distribution centre in the first quarter of 2013 was 1 047 832 pieces compared to 847 008 pieces the same period last year.
Source: New Times
There were 522 unwanted pregnancies among girls between 10-18 years registered last year in several schools countrywide, a Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Schools report, released yesterday, indicates. The report, released by the Gender Monitoring Office indicates that most of the cases were in Karongi (58), Kayonza (53), Gatsibo (52) and Gasabo (50).