Gender
Key Correspondents report on gender and development by documenting what life is like for women facing domestic violence, some of whom are also living with HIV, TB and other health issues. Stories range from the rights of women rebuilding their lives and their health after suffering violence to mothers who have experienced and overcome stigma and abandonment after developing maternal health complications during childbirth such as fistula.
Key Correspondents also highlight the connection between human rights and health by documenting the impact violence and discrimination have on LGBT by telling individual stories of struggle and empowerment and by documenting grass roots campaigns and community action.
African Union must tackle conflict related rape say campaigners
International campaigners are calling on the African Union to tackle conflict-related rape when it meets for its 20th Summit today. more
Women in Burundi, Rwanda and Angola to benefit from anti-haemorrhaging drug
The provision misoprotsol, a drug that can be used to both induce labour and prevent haemorrhaging, is being expanded in various low income countries in a bid to improve women’s health. US based non governmental organisation Venture Strategies Innovations (VSI) … more
‘One in five’ women in labour face disrespect and abuse finds Kenyan Population Council
One in five women giving birth in Kenyan health facilities face disrespect and abuse, according to the latest figures released by the Kenyan Population Council. more
Violence against women and children – what can you do?
I bowed my head, trying to hide tears from the student across from me who was diligently working on an essay. Sitting in the library, I was reminded of how common violence against women and children is; it can be easy to recite figures in place of real stories. more
Reducing maternal and infant mortality in Zambia
Giving birth to a baby is a joy for many women but this is not the case for many in Zambia given the high number of maternal deaths. Many women in rural areas see giving birth as not only a burden but a nightmare. Women are scared of falling pregnant due to high costs and also the shortage of midwives, which leads them to give birth at home using the services of traditional birth attendants (TBAs). more
The Segu culture violating the rights of girls and women
Thomas Banda (name changed) graduated from the traditional school where boys who have come of age are taught to engage in Segu (meaning ‘to open’), the raping of young girls to prove their sexual prowess. more
Teenage pregnancy still a challenge for Zambia
Emmanuel Chansa, Provincial AIDS Co-ordinator Advisor, revealed during a meeting of the Provincial AIDS Task Force that 68 girls at Chipata’s Hillside Girls High School in Zambia fell pregnant in the last two months of 2011. All of them were below the age of 16. more
16 days of action against gender based violence: time to speak out!
As the eyes of the world turn to the issue of gender based violence now is a great time to post stories on this topic. more
Unconventional labour practices
Going for labour is something women look at with great anticipation and mixed emotions. There also exist some unconventional practices which are attempted in various settings presumably to induce labour. more
Are men preventing prevention? My experience as a man at an antenatal clinic
KC James Kityo’s experience as a man at an antenatal clinic. more
Woman of Purpose: transforming and empowering women’s lives in Uganda
Woman of Purpose (WOP), an NGO based in Pallisa in Eastern Uganda, has gone a notch higher in transforming and empowering women and communities reports Kityo James. more
Empowering women in the Pacific region
For the first time, an alliance of young women from the Pacific region, including Australia and New Zealand, has been formed to focus on young women, their empowerment and promoting women’s leadership.
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“Women Beat Us” say Ugandan men
Many men report being battered and abused by women in their homes and many more are silent when they are beaten, denied sex and robbed of their property, says Paul Tentena the coordinator of Coalition Against Men Persecution (CAMP) a … more
‘Empower Girls’: MP’s International Women’s Day message for Uganda
Uganda’s government should ‘empower girls’ to improve the social and economic status of women, according to an International Women’s Day address by Woman Members of Parliament. more
Literacy vital for the protection of women from HIV and unwanted pregnancies
Illiteracy is hindering women in Mozambique from preventing unwanted pregnancies and HIV leading to a higher mortality rate for mothers, a health specialist has said. more
Southern Zambia records 505 cases of gender based violence
The commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism against gender based violence was marred by apathy as only ten institutions plus ruling party the Patriotic Front Women’s Group turned up for an event in Livingstone to mark the campaign. more
