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: Spotlight Initiative

SIDAMA REGION, Ethiopia - Entering adulthood can be a beautiful journey, but for those who have experienced female genital mutilation (FGM), it often carries layers of pain and trauma. FGM leaves a scar that goes beyond physical pain. It robs young girls of the opportunity to embrace womanhood on their terms. The shame and trauma often linger with them for a long time. Yet in the face of these challenges, FGM survivors show strength and resilience by reclaiming their voice and advocating for a world free of harmful practices. Below, three young women share their experiences.

SOURCE: UNFPA

WEST DARFUR STATE, Sudan – “I came to the health center after the fighting calmed down, but I found it destroyed – there were no beds left, no equipment, no supplies,” recalled Hiba*, a doctor in the city of El Geneina, in Sudan’s West Darfur State.

SOURCE: The New Times

Rwanda has initiated antenatal Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) for pregnant women, aiming to enhance maternal nutritional status and further mitigate the risk of adverse birth outcomes, including stunting, across the country.

Source: The Namibian

Some 145 women have died while giving birth, while 1 066 stillbirths were recorded between 2018 and 2021.

SOURCE: New Dawn

Liberia achieved another significant milestone recently in its relentless battle against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) as former practitioners from Nimba County, in northern Liberia, relinquished traditional tools they once used to perform FGM, symbolizing an end to this harmful practice in that part of the region. 

SOURCE: ANGOP

Viana — The Minister of Social Action, Family and Woman Promotion, Ana Paula do Sacramento Neto, on Wednesday said the academic and professional training are the key elements to empower young women and teenagers. 

SOURCE: Vanguard

The Chief Medical Director of MeCure Healthcare Limited, Dr. Adeniji Adeoluwa, weekend raised the alarm that 23 percent of Nigerian women suffer from breast cancer, saying 140,000 people are likely to have the disease annually. 

SOURCE: The Point

Eleven African First Ladies including the First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia, Fatoumatta Bah Barrow recently gathered in India to discuss issues relating to people's health with a focus on infertility and stigma.

SOURCE: UNFPA

NORTH KIVU PROVINCE, Democratic Republic of the Congo – “Most of the women here have never had an ultrasound scan in their lives – even though on average they’ve already given birth more than five times,” said Charmante Sibamza, a midwife in Nyiragongo, in North Kivu province.

SOURCE: AllAfrica

Access to birth control, which empowers women with the agency to decide if, when, and how many children to bear, is a fundamental human right.

SOURCE: Premium Times

Mrs. Kennedy-Ohaneye says the women's affairs ministry is setting up cooperative societies to empower women.

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