May 15, 2023
Rwanda: Putting Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights At Front and Centre
Community engagement has been regarded as a vital component to ensure that adolescents and young people have access to information on Sexual and Reproductive Health and rights… Read more »
Rwanda: Putting Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights At Front and Center in Rwanda
Community engagement has been regarded as a vital component to ensure that adolescents and young people have access to information on Sexual and Reproductive Health and rights… Read more »
May 04, 2023
Southern Africa: Youth Leaders From East and Southern Africa Unite and Embark On HIV and Sexual, Reproductive Health Movement
More than 100 young people from 14 countries across East and Southern Africa gathered for a three and half day summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, to delve into critical issues… Read more »
April 13, 2023
Madagascar: How One Woman Went Into Labour As Cyclone Freddy Slammed Into Madagascar
"We knew the delivery was imminent and that everything was going well... But we didn't know it was going to be today." Georgette, a 26-year-old mother from Manakara in Madagascar,… Read more »
April 05, 2023
South Sudan: 'Early Marriage, Unintended Pregnancies the Elephant in the Room in Displaced Persons Camp'
Mother-of-five Rebecca Nyakot, displaced from Unity State following the outbreak of conflict in South Sudan in 2013, often goes for long periods without food or clean, drinkable… Read more »
March 20, 2023
Madagascar: UNFPA Launches Digital Incubation Space to Empower Young People in Madagascar to Innovate for Change
Madagascar's First Lady, Mialy Rajoelina, launched a digital incubation space provided by UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, where young people can… Read more »
March 17, 2023
South Sudan: Protecting Women and Girls Against Sexual Violence in the World's Youngest Country
After suffering years of physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her husband, including a denial of resources, Aluel was considering taking her own life. Then members of her… Read more »
March 03, 2023
Kenya: 'Midwives Are the Bridge' - Educator Duncan Shikuku On Helping Maternal Health Providers Ease Women's Fears and Save Lives
Midwifery educator Duncan Shikuku will never forget the day in 2011 when a new mother was rushed into the hospital where he worked, carried by her family. Read more »
March 02, 2023
Tanzania: How One of the World's Largest Refugee Camps Achieved Zero Maternal Deaths in 2022
Last year, one of the world's largest refugee camps quietly achieved a remarkable feat. Nyarugusu refugee camp hosts more than 130,000 refugees, almost three times its original… Read more »
February 21, 2023
Southern Africa: New Hope for Reducing Cervical Cancer Deaths in East and Southern Africa
A poignant story about a woman from Malawi this week resonates deeply with me. At the age of 40, Mary went for cervical cancer screening and tested positive. Because the cancer had… Read more »
February 09, 2023
East Africa: Women and Girls Fleeing Somalia's Drought Grapple Gender-Based Violence in Daadab Refugee Camps
Around Christmas time last year, Rukia Yaroow Ali, 38, arrived at Hagadera refugee camp in Daadab. Hunger and insecurity had forced her to flee her village in Jilib in Somalia,… Read more »
January 18, 2023
Ethiopia: Protecting Women and Girls Affected By Conflict and Drought
"I used to be a wealthy woman. I had farmlands, horses, cows and even a shopping centre. The conflict has ravaged my life. Now, I am destitute," said Ugosa Hassan, who is living on… Read more »
January 03, 2023
Kenya: Motorcycle Ambulance Helps Pregnant Women in Drought-Stricken Community to Access Life-Saving Maternal Health Care
Every month, midwives at Katilu sub-county hospital deliver more than 60 babies to women living in Turkana South sub-county, saving the lives of mothers experiencing complications,… Read more »
December 28, 2022
Kenya: Severe Drought Reduces Hospital Deliveries Among Pregnant Women in Kenya's Turkana County
"I have never experienced a drought as bad as this in my life," 28-year-old Akure Ewar told UNFPA. Seven months pregnant, she complains that she is hungry and often feels dizzy… Read more »
December 27, 2022
Southern Africa: Speed Up the Rate of Progress On Midwifery in East and Southern Africa, New UNFPA Report Urges
The number of midwives in East and Southern Africa has increased by 8 per cent since 2017, yet a shortage of almost 300,000 midwives remains. The 146,000 midwives in the region… Read more »
December 15, 2022
Ethiopia: Long-Awaited Life-Saving Reproductive Health Supplies Reach Tigray, Ethiopia
UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, has resumed distribution of humanitarian aid in Tigray, following the recent peace agreement. On 8 December, around… Read more »
October 27, 2022
East Africa: Girls in Uganda Lured Across the Border to Undergo Female Genital Mutilation
Fourteen-year-old Judith* and five other Pokot girls were lured across the border, into Kenya from Uganda, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The reason - to undergo female… Read more »
October 24, 2022
Ethiopia: From Conflict to Climate Shocks, Women and Girls Are Disproportionately Affected
Grinding conflict, climate shocks including drought and floods and the impacts of COVID-19 have left more than an estimated 25 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.… Read more »
October 18, 2022
Kenya: Risks Multiply For Women And Girls As Worst Drought In 40 Years Bites Hard
Chants of "Apei Apei ng'akankomwon ng'akan!" ring out from a group of women sitting under a tree. The words translate to "One, one, nine, five" - Kenya's national gender-based… Read more »
October 06, 2022
Tanzania: Everyone Counts in Efforts to Leave No One Behind - First Digital Census a Success
Two weeks, 14 million households and 205,000 census enumerators. Across Tanzania, reaching even the most remote areas, the 2022 Population and Housing Census rolled out with a… Read more »
October 04, 2022
East Africa: Power of Harnessing Assets As We Accelerate Towards the SDGs and Our Transformative Results
Statement by Lydia Zigomo, Regional Director, UNFPA East and Southern Africa Read more »
East Africa: Power of Harnessing Assets As We Accelerate Towards the Transformative Results
Opening Remarks Read more »
September 22, 2022
Kenya: Empowering Young People to Prevent Digital Gender-Based Violence in Elections
The rise in gender-based violence assisted by technology - including cyberbullying, cyberstalking, doxxing, hate speech, and gendered disinformation - is a continuation of offline… Read more »
September 16, 2022
Rwanda: Young and Empowered - The Story of a Teenage Mother
19 and pregnant Nyiranzavugimana Florence, despondent from her family and community's rejection, found a source of much-needed hope and safety net through communication. Read more »
September 12, 2022
Southern Africa: News From East and Southern Africa - July to August 2022
As I assumed my Regional Director role in UNFPA East and Southern Africa, I am marching steadfastly with you in creating a better world for women and young people. This newsletter… Read more »