Botswana: From Hours to Minutes - Drones Speed Up Medical Deliveries to Save Mothers' Lives in Remote Botswana

In the remote village of Mababe, Botswana, getting results from a straightforward blood test is no simple matter. Read more »

Ethiopia: As Drought and Floods Threaten Millions in Ethiopia, Midwives Are a Lifeline for Pregnant Women and Newborns

"Saving the life of this baby was a miracle and a blessing for my family. I am immensely grateful," said Amino Bashir, 25, as she held her newborn. Read more »

Ethiopia: Tigray's Road to Recovery - How a Maternity Waiting Home Restores Hope for Pregnant Women

Nine-months pregnant with her first child, Tigist Gebrerefael, 23, did not want to experience the agony other women in her rural enclave had endured during childbirth. "I have seen… Read more »

South Africa: Transformative Programme Gets New $42 Million Injection From Sweden

"Young girls in Uthukela have been spared unwanted pregnancies, because I was empowered as a mentor to give them prevention options," said nurse Gugu Shangase from Wembezi Clinic… Read more »

Southern Africa: Sweden Invests $42 Million to Improve Sexual and Reproductive Health in East and Southern Africa

Sweden today announced a further investment of $42 million for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), in an effort to transform the lives of millions of people in East… Read more »

Southern Africa: UNFPA Esaro Launches 2023 'We Scale' FGM Hacklab

Imagine a world where every idea has the power to change lives, where young visionaries like you can shape the future. We've already witnessed the immense potential of UNFPA East… Read more »

Zambia: Restoring Hope, Rebuilding Lives - a Day in the Life of a Fistula Surgeon in Zambia

Around the world, half a million women and girls are thought to be living with obstetric fistula, a serious childbirth injury that can cause incontinence and result in significant… Read more »

Africa: Prevention, Treatment, Reintegration and Advocacy - How UNFPA and Partners Work to End Obstetric Fistula

According to an African proverb, "the sun should not rise or set twice on a labouring woman". Read more »

Africa: Risking Death to Deliver Life - Too Many Women Are Still Paying the Ultimate Price

Joint Op-ed by Lydia Zigomo, Regional Director, UNFPA East and Southern Africa and Dr. Julitta Onabanjo, Director of UNFPA Technical Division Read more »

Africa: Curbing the Alarming Rates of Maternal and Newborn Deaths - UNFPA and Partners Call for Urgent Action to Invest in Midwifery

Every two minutes, a woman dies during pregnancy or childbirth; every 16 minutes, a baby is stillborn - most of these deaths are preventable with access to skilled midwives. Read more »

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 »

Malawi: Young Mothers Find a Space Safe From Tropical Storm Freddy's Catastrophic Consequences

"We are sleeping in the cold," says 19-year-old Mirriam Karilito, who is seven months pregnant. "And when the rains come, it's worse." Read more »

Mozambique: 'Parents Thank Us for the Choices Their Daughters Make' - the Power of Youth Mentors in Reducing Teenage Pregnancy and Child Marriage

Mozambique It was a tough challenge that met strong resistance. But the group of young women that promote sexual and reproductive health among their peers in Montepuez could not… Read more »

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 »

Namibia: Maternity Waiting Home Reduces Risks for Young Mothers-to-Be

Expecting her first child this month, Karikikuta van der Merve, 18, found herself in a predicament. Her tender age placed her at a higher risk of complications during childbirth.… Read more »

Congo-Kinshasa: DRC Midwives Use New Groundbreaking Birthing Model With Survivors of Sexual Violence

When 16-year-old Esther* arrived at Panzi hospital in Bukavu, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, doctors confirmed her worst fear: she was pregnant. Esther had been raped… Read more »

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 »

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 »

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 »

Africa: The Road to Ending Female Genital Mutilation Must Be Paved in Partnership With Men and Boys

Joint Opinion Editorial from Mohamed Fall, UNICEF Regional Director, Eastern and Southern Africa and Lydia Zigomo, UNFPA Regional Director, East and Southern Africa, on… Read more »

Angola: How Technology Is Improving the Quality of Maternal Health Care in Drought-Affected Angola

"It is very gratifying to be able to accompany a pregnant woman from her first consultation until delivery," says Leonor Teles Daniel, a nurse at Namacunde municipal hospital in… Read more »

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 »

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 »

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 »