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: 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.
SOURCE: New Dawn
News that 11 pregnant women in Nimba County died in 2021 during home delivery at various periods is unfortunate and speaks volumes about the health sector in Liberia.
Source: Times of Zambia
IN the evening, they roam around bars to catch a glimpse of night life as they hook up with both young and older men who buy alcohol for them.
Source: The Conversation Africa
Benin’s parliament has voted to legalise abortion in most circumstances. This is a groundbreaking move by the west African country given that 92% of women of reproductive age on the continent live in countries which have restrictions – some moderate, some severe – on abortions. Moina Spooner, from The Conversation Africa, asked reproductive health expert, Ramatou Ouedraogo, to unpack the significance of this ruling.
Source: This Day Live
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) of Nigeria is 814 (per 100,000 live births). The lifetime risk of a Nigerian woman dying during pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum or post-abortion is one in 22, in contrast to the lifetime risk in developed countries estimated at one in 4900.
Source: Front Page Africa
An international non-governmental organization, the ‘Sons and Daughters of Thunder Liberation Center Liberia’, has unveiled plans for the construction a rehabilitation center for women addicted to drugs and other harmful substances.