Improving Maternal Health no • Most maternal deaths are preventable, as the health-care solutions to prevent or manage complications are well known. • All women need access to high quality care in pregnancy, and during and after childbirth. • It is particularly important that all births are attended by skilled health professionals • Timely...
With over 90 million confirmed cases and 1.9 million deaths globally, and a second wave sweeping into 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to hold the world hostage. Less visible and talked about is how its social and economic fallout is hitting women hard – and often harder than men. The latest data shows that the pandemic is poised to push 47...
Access to quality financial services is essential to inclusive economic growth and poverty alleviation. In the last decade, the African continent has recorded significant growth in financial inclusion. The progress in financial inclusion is spearheaded by innovations in digital technology, which is transforming financial services and the nature of financial transactions in the region. This...
Adolescent pregnancy and challenges Adolescent pregnancies are a global problem occurring in high-, middle-, and low-income countries. However, adolescent pregnancies are more likely to occur in marginalized communities, commonly driven by poverty and lack of education and employment opportunities In many societies, girls are under pressure to marry and bear children early. In least...
While 2020 will be remembered most for the way COVID-19 changed our lives in nearly every way and in every part of the world, we made some strides for women’s rights and gender equality. From new laws addressing domestic violence and equality to women’s critical leadership during the global pandemic, join us to celebrate some...
UN Women and UNV launch the new Young Women Leaders Initiative to create professional opportunities for leaders of tomorrow and further enhance diversity in UN Women. We invite 10 young women from the Global South to serve as UN Youth Volunteers at UN Women Headquarters in New York starting in April. UN Women, in partnership...
African girls and women are looking to benefit from an initiative promoting gender equality as part of inclusive economic growth across the continent. The African Development Bank’s newly approved Gender Strategy for 2021-25 has the theme “Investing in Africa’s women to accelerate inclusive growth”. The strategy seeks to strengthen the bank’s commitment to the empowerment...
Access and control of farmland can be major problems for women in Ghana, especially in the northern regions, where patriarchy reigns and traditional rulers decide who gets farming plots. In Gusheigu district, Fatimata and other women were unable to farm during the 2020 season because their husbands decided to cultivate instead. Fatimata, who lives in...
What you should know about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) More than 30 different bacteria, viruses and parasites are known to be transmitted through sexual contact. Eight of these pathogens are linked to the greatest incidence of sexually transmitted disease. Of these 8 infections, 4 are currently curable: syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis. The other...
The Global Media Foundation (GLOMEF), human rights and anti-corruption advocacy media organization has ended this year’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign with a call on traditional leaders to desist from interfering with the law and shielding persons who sexually abuse young girls in society. Addressing a Summit dubbed “School Girls Summit” with...
