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.
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Source: IPS
Agnes Kalunda’s doctor feared that because of her slight frame there was a high chance of her developing complications during delivery.
Source: The Star
Government efforts to address the country’s ever surging population are being hampered by women’s reluctance to adapt modern family planning methods. This is according to a latest report released yesterday by the National Coordinating Agency for Population and Development. According to the findings, a paltry 25 per cent of women population, who are married but do not intend to have children are using contraceptives, a situation if not addressed will reduce the government’s efforts to realize MDGs and Vision 2030.
Source: Health-e News
The rape of girls and women remains a major concern in South Africa, and the health care sector needs to be better equipped to collect evidence to prove sexual violation to help secure the conviction of perpetrators by the courts.
Source: All Africa
The World Medical Association (WMA) and the International Federation of Health and Human Rights Organisations (IFHHRO) have condemned the practice of forced and coerced sterilisation as forms of violence that severely harm women's physical and mental health - and infringe basic human rights.
Source: Times of Zambia
WOMEN in Zambezi District in North-Western Province have welcomed the mothers' shelter the Government is building at the district hospital, saying it will offer them relief.
Source: Nairobi Star
WOMEN account for 65 percent of all new HIV/AIDS infections in Kenya annually. This is according to a report released yesterday by National Aids Control Council. Speaking at the launch of national action plan for mainstreaming gender in HIV responses in Kenya,
Source: Nairobi Star
A majority of women are not using contraceptives due to misinformation. According to population expert Sam Ogola, 56 percent of women avoid family planning methods after being discouraged by friends.
Source: OSISA
The World Medical Association (WMA) and the International Federation of Health and Human Rights Organisations (IFHHRO) have condemned the practice of forced and coerced sterilisation as forms of violence that severely harm women's physical and mental
Source: Nairobi Star
We could register a decline in HIV prevalence among women in the two years if a newly launched plan by the National Aids Control Council is fully implemented. The plan dubbed "Mainstreaming Gender HIV Response in Kenya" has set up
Source: New Era
Namibia's First Lady, Penehupifo Pohamba, says she wants to focus on advocacy for good partnerships and fund raising as President of the Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS.
Source: Plus News
Burundian NGOs say at least 20 people have died as a national shortage of antiretroviral continues.