Preterm and child survival Preterm is defined as babies born alive before 37 weeks of pregnancy are completed. There are sub-categories of preterm birth, based on gestational age: • extremely preterm (less than 28 weeks) • very preterm (28 to 32 weeks) • moderate to late preterm (32 to 37 weeks). Induction or caesarean birth...

Since our democracy started in 1994, equality, diversity and inclusion have become important goals that we must all continue to work towards to ensure the growth and prosperity of our country. This isn’t only something for government to focus on – businesses have a critical role to play when it comes to realising inclusion and...

The issue of sexual and reproductive human rights (SRHR) transverses race. The taboo of discussing a sexually transmitted disease is a global issue and the stigma it brings with it affects those diagnosed universally. “Will I get HIV from kissing” still remains one of the top google searches – exemplifying worldwide misconceptions regarding the disease. ...

HIV is a sexually transmitted infection (STI), hence the general consensus is that sexual reproductive health rights (SRHR) can be a panacea to achieving zero incidence of HIV cases. To a certain degree, it is a compelling notion, but ending HIV takes more than just SRHR. Interestingly though, the HIV crisis seems to have stimulated...

Hayat Mirshad is a 32-year-old Lebanese feminist, human rights activist and gender, communications and advocacy expert. As co-founder of the feminist collective FE-MALE in Lebanon, she advocates against discriminatory gender norms and policies and works closely with UN Women’s Men and Women for Gender Equality programme funded by the Government of Sweden. The programme works to change behaviours and social norms for gender equality...

    Cultural and social factors for performing female genital mutilation (FGM) The reasons why female genital mutilations are performed vary from one region to another. It include a mix of sociocultural factors within families and communities. The most commonly cited reasons are: Where FGM is a social convention (social norm), the social pressure to...

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Women seldom reach the highest leadership positions in academic plastic surgery. Contributing factors include lack of female role models/mentors and lack of gender diversity. Studies show that female role models and mentors are critical for recruiting and retaining female surgeons and that gender diversity within organizations more strongly influences women’s career choices. We...

In 2020, even as governments around the world rallied to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, a large number of countries and their populations continued to face insecurities spurred by violent extremist organizations. On 23 March 2020, the UN Secretary-General issued an urgent appeal for a global ceasefire to create opportunities for life-saving aid. He stressed on the...

A global study by Women’s Deliver and Focus 2030 has found that women are being excluded from COVID-19 response and recovery plans. Women account for 70% of frontline workers, but only 20% of the World Health Organization’s emergency committee are women. Research by the World Bank and UN shows women have been disproportionately affected by...

The African Union (AU) held the 38th Ordinary Session of its Executive Council at the beginning of February 2021. One of the agenda items was to elect six new members of the AU Commission. The Commission is the AU’s secretariat, which carries out its day-to-day operations. These are the first commissioner elections since the Union’s reform process began...