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.

For more information on HIV/AIDS and Reproductive health, please visit the following websites:

SOURCE: Times of Zambia

A RETIRED midwife on the Copperbelt has expressed concern over the alleged mushrooming of private surgery clinics that are offering unsafe abortions in various townships.

Source: Le 360 Afrique

En Mauritanie, le taux de déperdition scolaire entre le primaire et le secondaire est estimé à 45%. Chez les filles, ce phénomène est dû en partie aux menstruations. L’ONG Initiative Développement et l’UNICEF veulent y remédier par la fabrication et la distribution de kits d’hygiène.

SOURCE: Africa Renewal

One of the volunteers, Rose Mukhaye, reminded Delourice to regularly attend the antenatal clinics at the local Esiriambatsi Health Centre as soon as she found out she was pregnant. 

Source: DW

Interview avec Diene Keïta, directrice exécutive adjointe de l’agence des Nations Unies pour la santé sexuelle et reproductive, sur les grossesses non-intentionnelles.

SOURCE: The Exchange

‘M-mama’ service will now be scaled up from one Tanzanian region to cover more than 50% of the national population across 15 regions.

SOURCE: NigeriaHealthWatch

Yar Gaya Primary Health Centre (PHC) is a health facility in Yar Gaya community in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area (LGA) of Kano State. Established 42 years ago, the PHC is plagued by so many challenges that it now only provides skeletal services, leaving community members with no option but to travel long distances in search of suitable alternatives.

Source: Africa News

Le Fonds des Nations Unis pour la Population a lancé vendredi à Dakar son rapport sur l’état de la population mondiale 2022. Une étude qui, cette année s’est penché sur la problématique négligée des grossesses non désirées estimées chaque année environ 121 millions dans le monde avec 60 % de risques de décès maternel. Des chiffres qui font froid dans le dos et des conséquences énormes surtout pour l’Afrique.

SOURCE: Independent

Run under Global Affairs Canada (GAC), the projects were launched at the Sheraton Hotel Kampala today at an event officiated by the Commissioner Reproductive Health, Jessica Nsungwa. The projects, aimed at supporting girls and women in matters sexual and reproductive health, are dubbed ‘SHE SOARS’, ‘TOGETHER’, ‘SHARE’ and ‘STAND-UP’.

SOURCE: WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) today launched its first ever global guidelines to support women and newborns in the postnatal period – the first six weeks after birth. This is a critical time for ensuring newborn and maternal survival and for supporting healthy development of the baby as well as  the mother’s overall mental and physical recovery and wellbeing.

SOURCE: Ghanaian Times

Stakeholders have been urged to prioritise menstrual hygiene of girls and women for the socio-cultural development of the country.

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