"In 2015, in too many countries, “women’s empowerment” remains a pipedream - little more than a rhetorical flourish added to a politician’s speech..." Dr Flavia Bustreo, ADG We've come a long way since 1995--and it is time to celebrate women and their achievements. But it is also time to take stock of how women’s rights are fulfilled in the world --especially the right to health. Twenty years after countries signed pledges in the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action, women still … [Read more...]
International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, MAY 23
May 19, 2015 by
International Day to End Obstetric Fistula 2015 On 23 May 2015, the United Nations, Member States, partners of the Campaign to End Fistula and others around the globe will mark the annual International Day to End Obstetric Fistula. The Latin word fistula (UK /ˈfɪstjʊlə/ or US /ˈfɪstʃələ/ or /ˈfɪʃtʃələ/, plural fistulas /-ləz/ or fistulae /-li/ or /-laɪ/) literally means tube or pipe. In medicine, a fistula is an abnormal connection between two hollow spaces (technically, two … [Read more...]
World Malaria Day, April 25
April 25, 2015 by
On April 25th people across the globe take part in a wide range of activities to mark World Malaria Day. For half the world every day is malaria day - a day to keep up the fight against this killer disease. This website is a communication and advocacy platform for civil society north and south to showcase your work , share resources , engage in dialogue, contribute views, ideas and events to mobilise the world against malaria. Key Facts In 2013, there were 198 million cases, and 584 000 … [Read more...]
PTSD, The plight of FGM in The Gambia, Africa
July 26, 2014 by
Slowly changing, but unmoving: The plight of FGM in The Gambia, Africa A Stop FGM – Female Genital Mutilation sign in Bakau New Town, Gambia gives a phone number to reach for those women who want talk with someone about FGM. Image: Nichol Brummer/Flickr London, UNITED KINGDOM, WESTERN EUROPE: Rainy season in upcountry rural Gambia, is green. It is a warm, inviting blend of a thousand greens; a mixture of beautiful, calm, peaceful mingling greens. As I look around and soak in the reality … [Read more...]
2014 Partners’ Forum – Johannesburg, (June 30/July1)
June 21, 2014 by
Violence against Women Intimate partner and sexual violence against women Introduction The United Nations defines violence against women as "any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life." Intimate partner violence refers to behavior by an intimate partner or ex-partner that … [Read more...]
10 Baby Foods ‘not’ to make at home!
July 4, 2013 by
Making your own baby foods at home is neither as challenging nor as involved as it seems at first blush, and it allows you the opportunity to control each and every ingredient so that you know exactly what your baby is eating. In a world where genetically modified food and questionable agricultural practices make parents more concerned than ever about what they’re feeding their children, homemade baby food seems like the healthiest and most viable option. After all, the lack of transparency … [Read more...]
Global and regional estimates of ‘violence against women’
June 22, 2013 by
WHO report highlights violence against women as a ‘global health problem of epidemic proportions’ JUNE 2013 | GENEVA - Physical or sexual violence is a public health problem that affects more than one third of all women globally, according to a new report released by WHO in partnership with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and the South African Medical Research Council. The report, Global and regional estimates of 'violence against women': Prevalence and health … [Read more...]
World Immunization Week 2013, celebrated April 20 – 27
April 17, 2013 by
World Immunization Week, beginning on 20 April, aims to promote one of the world’s most powerful tools for health – the use of vaccines to protect, or "immunize", people of all ages against disease. Under the global slogan "Protect your world – get vaccinated", WHO encourages individuals and organizations working at international, regional, national, and community levels, in the public and private sectors, to coordinate and engage in activities during World Immunization Week. World … [Read more...]
CSW57, Takes Action, on shocking results on sexual violence!
March 16, 2013 by
Study reveals shocking new evidence of men’s use of violence against women and girls in Asia Pacific One in two men said they had used physical or sexual violence against an intimate partner, one in four reported having raped a woman and one in 25 admitted to having participated in gang rape. These are among the shocking preliminary results of a study by a joint UN programme that surveyed more than 10,000 men on their use and experiences of violence against women and girls in nine selected … [Read more...]
Bhutanese Midwife, Thailand’s Experience: A notebook of ideas
January 25, 2013 by
LOEI, Thailand — After four days of trekking from his village by foot, a two-day bus ride across Bhutan, an international flight to Bangkok and a long van ride, Sonam finally arrived at this mountainous province in northeastern Thailand. The midwife from Gelephu, a small village in eastern Bhutan, was one of more than 20 Bhutanese health professionals selected to participate in a technical training on reproductive health care services. The programme, supported by UNFPA, is part of a … [Read more...]
Women in Prison – Recovery through Change
October 15, 2012 by
WOMEN IN PRISON The fact that prisoners have higher rates of psychological distress and mental health problems when compared to the general population are well established (Fazel & Danesh, 2002). Needless to say, the rates are much higher in the case of women in custody. Although women still constitute a small minority of the prison population across the world, the number of incarcerated women is increasing (Slotboom et al., 2007). In addition to the common kinds of distress both men … [Read more...]
