October 03, 2023
Ethiopia: Defying Conflict and Child Marriage to Champion Girls' Education and Rights in Ethiopia
"I was very scared when I first entered the safe house. I was lonely and didn't leave my room for a month," said Ms. Alemtsehay*, now 18. 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 15, 2023
Ethiopia: War, Pregnancy and Hope - Setyelem's Harrowing Journey of Giving Birth in Ethiopia
ATAYE, Amhara Region, Ethiopia--Mother-of-two Setyelem, 29, had been diligent about going for antenatal check-ups during her first two pregnancies. But during her third pregnancy… 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 16, 2023
Namibia: New Centre Aims to Empower Namibian Youth to Thrive
WINDHOEK, Namibia--At 16, Maria Hailonga experienced a significant trauma that affected her mental health - the death of her mother. She needed help to deal with her loss but she… Read more »
August 09, 2023
Tanzania: Stephen Bikoko - the Visionary Peer Educator Behind Upendo Group's Youth Empowerment Drive in Tanzania
Mother-of-two Melania Zambiliti, 21, wanted something more for herself and her family. Living with her in-laws and working as an ad hoc cleaner at a local restaurant where she was… 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 25, 2023
East Africa: Sexual Violence Stalks Women and Girls Fleeing Sudan for South Sudan
"My neighbour Rose* travelled with me to Renk, but her three daughters stayed behind in Khartoum. Later she learned they had been gang raped," said Martha.* 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 17, 2023
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 »
July 14, 2023
East Africa: Crisis in the Horn of Africa
More than 43 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia in 2023, 32 million of whom are acutely food insecure. 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 »
July 03, 2023
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 »
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 »
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 »
June 15, 2023
Africa: A New Era for African Children - the Digital Revolution's Double-Edged Sword
Blog by Shudufhadzo Musida, Miss South Africa 2020 and Regional Champion for UNFPA East and Southern Africa, to commemorate the International Day of the African Child: the rights… Read more »