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: 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.
Source: Agence Mauritanienne d'Information
L’Association “Eyadi Mouhsinines” (“Mains des bienfaisants”) a organisé, jeudi, une journée de la santé sous le thème “Le cri d’une mère et le sauvetage d’un bébé.”
Source: UNFPA ESARO
Mongu — "Growing up in a remote village, I witnessed my grandmother, a traditional birth attendant, assisting women and girls to deliver babies. She would perform these deliveries at home, using local herbs to try and address complications," said Michelle Simukayi, a student at Lewanika College of Nursing and Midwifery in Western Province.
SOURCE: New Frame
Adim candle flame lighting the room can be seen from outside through the open door at a backyard maternity ward in Mabvuku, a populous and high-density suburb in the east of Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe.
SOURCE: The Conversation Africa
Most (90%) new cervical cancer cases and deaths are in low- and middle-income countries. What are the key factors driving this?
Cancer of the cervix is a disease of inequity of access to healthcare. It is an almost entirely preventable disease. Here’s why.
SOURCE: WHO-AFRO
A human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign that aims to immunize over 1.8 million 14-year-old girls in nine regions against HPV is underway. The campaign commenced on 10 January 2022 and will end on 22 January.
SOURCE: Daily Maverick
The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) seemingly disregards the fact that pregnant women (and their unborn babies) are at a much greater risk of dying if they are unvaccinated. It fails to appreciate that one in six unvaccinated pregnant women admitted to hospital in South Africa with Covid-19 infection requires mechanical ventilation, and one in 16 has a fatal outcome.
Source: Nation Kenya
Many young people suffer barriers in accessing youth-friendly SRHR, hindering their ability to make safe decisions regarding their sexuality.
SOURCE: Capital FM
At the media briefing this evening in South Coast, Amb. (Dr.) Amina Mohamed, Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture, and Heritage, gave a short list of summary of gender equity and Gender-based Violence topics that the stakeholders in the sports sector will discuss.
Source: The Conversation
The world has seen dramatic improvements in maternal, newborn and child health. For instance, the World Health Organisation reported a 38% reduction in maternal deaths between 2000 and 2017, globally. Maternal deaths refer to deaths due to complications from pregnancy or childbirth.