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 17, 2022
Africa: Investing In Young People's Health - Access To Sexual And Reproductive Health And Mental Health
2022 YouthConnekt Africa Summit Read more »
October 10, 2022
Mozambique: 'Mother, I Cannot Marry This Man. I Am Too Young. I Want to Continue My Studies'
Marta* was 13 years old when her mother told her she would have to marry a 73-year-old man. No longer able to afford schooling her, her mother saw marriage as the only solution.… 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 28, 2022
Lesotho: Lesotho Introduces Family Planning Services With Childbirth in Hospital, to Empower Women
After delivering her fifth child, 'Mathabo*, 33, and her husband decided to start using contraceptives a day after the birth, to avoid an unplanned pregnancy. While still in… 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 »
September 07, 2022
Ethiopia: More Than 78,000 Displaced Women and Girls Assisted With Dignity Kits
"I can't afford to buy sanitary pads. If I get some income, it's for my son. It means a lot to me after losing everything," says Emebet Mengessha who lives with her 7-month-old… Read more »
September 02, 2022
South Sudan: Formal Presentation of the Country Programme Documents for South Sudan and Zambia
Formal presentation by the Regional Director Lydia Zigomo of the UNFPA country programme documents: East and Southern Africa region – South Sudan and Zambia Read more »
September 01, 2022
Ethiopia: Family Planning, a Life-Saving Intervention for Conflict-Affected Communities in Ethiopia
"In this difficult situation, family planning will help me take care of my own health and safety and better care for my baby and family" says Nigiste, 21, a mother of a… Read more »
August 29, 2022
Southern Africa: New UNFPA Regional Director to Lead Efforts to Achieve SDGs in East and Southern Africa
Lydia Zigomo has been appointed Regional Director of UNFPA East and Southern Africa. Read more »
August 26, 2022
East Africa: Regional Initiative to Speed Up Progress On Ending Preventable Maternal and Newborn Deaths
Women in East and Southern Africa still die during pregnancy and childbirth due to preventable causes, said Dr. Brian Chirombo, WHO Rwanda Representative, at a high-level meeting… Read more »