September 01, 2023
Congo-Kinshasa: Beating the Odds - Resilience, Hope and Safe Births At a UNFPA Mobile Clinic in the DRC
NORTH KIVU PROVINCE, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Although heavily pregnant and in pain, Kaindo Bembeleza waited patiently along with dozens of other women on a row of… Read more »
August 30, 2023
Africa: Women of African Descent Continue to Carry the Torch for Justice Amid Longstanding Inequities
Statement by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem on the International Day for People of African Descent 2023 Read more »
August 04, 2023
Malawi: A Warm Winter for Women and Girls Displaced By Tropical Cyclone Freddy
Mulanje, MALAWI - As dark clouds rolled over Ng'omba village in Mulanje, Daliso Simon gathered her harvest in a rush, as she didn't want to get caught in the impending storm. All… Read more »
July 26, 2023
Tanzania: Using Art and Animation to Strike Down Female Genital Mutilation in Tanzania
Glory Charles Mlagwa, 25, is a medical expert and public health specialist. She is the winner of the 2022 Spotlight Initiative-supported FGM (female genital mutilation) Hackathon,… Read more »
June 22, 2023
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 »
April 14, 2023
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 »
April 06, 2023
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 »
January 25, 2023
Mozambique: 'I Can Now Go Back to School' - Teenage Mother Overjoyed She Can Prevent Unintended Pregnancies With Contraception
Fátima António, 18, the mother of a five-month-old boy, told UNFPA she was "apprehensive and hesitant" about using contraception. She is not alone. Nampula province… Read more »
January 11, 2023
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 »
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 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 »
November 04, 2022
Malawi: How Young Mothers Are Getting a Fresh Start in Life in Rural Malawi
MCHINJI, Malawi - Cecilia Zimba dropped out of school when she was 17 because her parents couldn't afford to support her education - but she had high hopes they would find the… Read more »
June 30, 2022
Uganda: HIV-Positive Teen Mum Inspires Her Peers By Sharing Her Life Experiences As a Peer Educator
Young people find it easy to talk to 20-year-old Rebecca. Not only is she confident, warm and knowledgeable, particularly about sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR),… Read more »
May 31, 2022
Ethiopia: Ethiopia's Worst Drought in 40 Years Threatens to Derail Gains in Maternal and Newborn Health
"When I saw my baby's hand coming out, I ran for our lives. We travelled nearly 90 kilometres to the nearest health facility... We are both lucky to be alive." Read more »
Ethiopia: Ethiopia's Worst Drought in 40 Years Threatens to Derail Gains in Maternal and Newborn Health
GODE, Ethiopia - "When I saw my baby's hand coming out, I ran for our lives. We travelled nearly 90 kilometres to the nearest health facility... We are both lucky to be alive." Read more »
May 16, 2022
Madagascar: Midwife Helps a Mother Deliver Safely in UNFPA-Supplied Tent in Cyclone-Affected Madagascar #AfricaClimateCrisis
At mid-afternoon, a special baby lets out her first cry. Weighing a healthy 2.5kgs, Noelia has just been born in a tent serving as a temporary maternity ward at Mananjary's… Read more »
April 25, 2022
South Sudan: Women and Girls Battle Mounting Sexual Violence Amid Conflict and Climate Crises #AfricaClimateCrisis
"I used to collect firewood, make charcoal, and sell fresh milk to help meet our family's needs," Nyachar Gatneay Rial, 38, told UNFPA. "Now I have to sell tea in the local market… Read more »