In the last few months, as the coronavirus has spread across the world, African countries have registered a surge in cases of domestic violence and sexual violence, which has provoked public outrage. In May, South Sudanese activists protested the gang rape of an eight-year-old girl by three men while holding her mother at gunpoint, in...
Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has reiterated the need to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women and girls. She noted that responses of various governments to the pandemic had had unintended negative consequences on many people especially, women in developing countries and must be addressed....
Effects of alcohol and drugs on adolescents Harmful drinking among adolescents is a major concern in many countries. Drug use among 15–19 year olds is also an important global concern because of the following: a) It reduces self-control and increases risky behaviours, such as unsafe sex or dangerous driving. b) It is an underlying cause...
Dr. Christine Sadia is a gender and public health expert with over 30 years’ experience advising governments on health and gender issues, such as psychosocial needs of women in the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide and HIV programming during the Indonesia tsunami. UN Women is supporting Dr. Sadia in her current role as a Gender...
The World Bank has given Zambia 142 million U.S. dollars which will go towards livelihood support for women and boost access to secondary education for disadvantaged adolescent girls in extremely poor households, the bank said on Wednesday. In a release, the bank said the funds are for additional support to the Girls Education and Women’s...
As of early July, South Sudan confirmed more than 2,000 coronavirus cases. The implementation of social distancing rules, curfews and the closure of non-essential business has had a drastic impact on small businesses, especially in the informal sector where women constitute the majority of the work force. Now that businesses have been allowed to re-open...
Cecilia Mwende Maundu is a broadcast journalist based in Kenya and a specialist in gender digital safety. She is also the current Secretary General of the International Association of Women in Radio and Television, Kenyan chapter. During COVID-19, women and girls are using the internet more than ever to stay connected with the world, but they...
Facts and Figures on Adolescents :Early pregnancy and childbirth The leading cause of death for 15-19 year-old girls globally is complications from pregnancy and childbirth. Some 11% of all births worldwide are to girls aged 15–19 years The vast majority of these births are in low- and middle-income countries. The UN Population Division puts the...
In a largely patriarchal society, many thought she had shattered the proverbial glass ceiling when she became a District Officer in 1975. But for Katherine Ichoya, who returned home recently after a two-decade international career, it has been a journey of creating change for women especially in the financial world. Ms Ichoya is the former...
The COVID-19 pandemic threatens to roll back gains in women’s economic opportunities, widening gender gaps that persist despite 30 years of progress. Well-designed policies to foster recovery can mitigate the negative effects of the crisis on women and prevent further setbacks for gender equality. What is good for women is ultimately good for addressing income...
