April 24
Zimbabwe: Prisca's Story - 'I Thought I Had Lost It All'
Prisca,* a 22-year-old young woman who lives in Chiredzi Rural, Zambia, has faced a harrowing ordeal. One night, while asleep in a room with two toddlers, an unknown man broke into… Read more »
March 08
Africa: Breaking Barriers - Investing in the Future of Women and Girls
As the world commemorates International Women's Day on March 8th, we stand united in celebrating the remarkable achievements of women and girls across the globe. Read more »
February 06
Africa: Defying Tradition, Championing Rights
"Is [female genital mutilation] religious?" Under a tree in the quiet village of Dalocha Woreda in Central Ethiopia region, Nuritu Sirbar, the Head of the Dalocha district Women… Read more »
Africa: Long Road in a Short Time - Ending FGM Calls for Immediate Action
"A woman is a full circle; within her is the power to create, nurture, and transform." Read more »
January 03
Ethiopia: Beskeshe - Creating a Space to Empower Young Girls
Hana and Mertnesh, both 14-year-old girls, attend Bule Hora Elementary School, in the Oromia region. They share a special bond as members of Her Space, Beskeshe in the local… Read more »
October 13, 2023
Africa: Spotlight Initiative Endorses Call to End FGM in Current Generation
With the backing of the African Union, UNFPA, UNICEF and the Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional programme, the 2nd International Conference on Female Genital Mutilation brought… Read more »
October 23, 2023
Africa: Youth Leaders Innovate to Pave the Way for Ending Female Genital Mutilation and Child Marriage By 2030
In a powerful gathering of innovative minds, UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, in collaboration with the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on the… Read more »
October 11, 2023
Africa: Empowering Girls Today for a Better Tomorrow - UNFPA's Mandate On International Day of the Girl Child
By Shudufhadzo Musida, Former Miss South Africa and UNFPA Regional Champion Read more »
Africa: The Digital Space Is the New Frontier for Gender-Based Violence
Today (International Day of the Girl Child, 11 October 2023: Digital Generation. Our Generation.), 77 million adolescent girls in East and Southern Africa encapsulate boundless… Read more »
October 09, 2023
Africa: Empowering Young African Women and Girls in the Digital Age for a Mentally Resilient Future
By Shudufhadzo Musida, Miss South Africa 2020 and Regional Champion for UNFPA East and Southern Africa, to commemorate World Mental Health Day Read more »
September 27, 2023
Congo-Kinshasa: Portable Ultrasounds Give Pregnant Women a Ray of Hope Amid Crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
"Most of the women here have never had an ultrasound scan in their lives - even though on average they've already given birth more than five times," said Charmante Sibamza, a… Read more »
September 20, 2023
Congo-Kinshasa: An Inside Look At Life-Saving Mobile Clinics in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the health and protection needs of women and girls are soaring. Read more »
September 06, 2023
Africa: Five Things You Need to Know About Consent to Sex
Everyone has the right to make their own choices about their bodies. Yet millions of people are denied their right to say no to sex - or yes to the choice of a marriage partner or… Read more »
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 24, 2023
Mozambique: From Bullying to Respectful - Cleiton's Club Ignites Shift in Gender Perspectives Among Mozambican Boys
Just 14 years old, Cleiton Adriano has set himself an admirable goal. The ninth grader is holding awareness-raising activities with his peers to help create an inclusive space at… Read more »
August 18, 2023
Congo-Kinshasa: 'Sometimes She Was Desperate' - How Survivors of Sexual Violence in the DRC Are Healing With the Help of UNFPA's Frontline Workers
NORTH KIVU PROVINCE - "I was going to fetch firewood from the forest to cook food for myself and my six children, when I came across armed men." 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 »
July 18, 2023
Rwanda: UNFPA Announces Kigali Call to Action At Women Deliver, Calling for Accelerated Efforts to Promote Women and Girls' Bodily Autonomy
Yesterday, at the Women Deliver Conference in Kigali, UNFPA announced the Kigali Call to Action: United for Women and Girls' Bodily Autonomy during its Pre-Conference event with… Read more »
July 11, 2023
Africa: Lighting the Way for Women and Girls
What women and girls want and need matters Read more »
July 10, 2023
Africa: The Power of Gender Equality in Creating a World of Infinite Possibilities
World Population Day, 11 July Read more »
July 08, 2023
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 »
June 29, 2023
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 »
June 26, 2023
South Sudan: Sweden Invests U.S.$8.4 Million for Improving the Health and Well-Being of Women, Girls and Young People
Sweden announced its commitment of 90 million Swedish Krona ($8.4 million) to UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, to implement its fourth Country… Read more »