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Maternal deaths continue to fall, new data show
UNITED NATIONS, New York – New data from the United Nations reveal that maternal deaths have declined by 45 per cent since 1990. Some 523,000 deaths occurred from complications in pregnancy or childbirth in 1990; in…
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"Life Starts in the Hands of a Midwife"
Kenya
UNITED NATIONS, New York – Every two minutes, a woman dies in pregnancy or childbirth, according to UN estimates, adding up to nearly 290,000 maternal deaths each year. Nearly 3 million newborns die each year as well.…
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Finding More Than Food at the Markets in Liberia
Liberia
MONROVIA, Liberia – Every Thursday, 39-year-old Jartu Kollie walks several kilometres to the market in Pleemu Town, near the Liberian capital Monrovia. But this vibrant local market is not only a place where she can…
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Mothers, Youth Displaced by Solomon Islands Flooding
Solomon Islands
HONIARA, Solomon Islands – By 11 am on 4 April, residents knew the Mataniko River might breach its banks in Honiara, capital of the Solomon Islands, but no one knew it would wash away their homes within the hour. More…
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Parliamentarians Spotlight Rights of Women and Girls
Sweden
UNITED NATIONS, New York – Hundreds of parliamentarians, dignitaries and policymakers from around the world gathered in Stockholm, Sweden, from 23 to 25 April to reaffirm their support for women’s and adolescents’ human…
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Ready-made delivery kits save women’s lives in Cameroon
Cameroon
GAROUA, Cameroon – The first few times she gave birth, Hadja Aminatou, of the northern Cameroonian town of Garoua, could not afford to seek care at the local hospital. Instead, she gave birth at home. But during her…
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Midwives, emergency care key to reducing Cambodia’s maternal deaths
Cambodia
STUNG TRENG, Cambodia – Sixteen-year-old Hang Dèng travelled for an hour by boat to reach the health centre closest to her remote Cambodian village; she was in labour and suffering complications. Access to emergency…
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Amid Crisis in South Sudan, Youth Continue to Hope for a Brighter Future
South Sudan
JUBA, South Sudan – In 2011, Jamal Deng, 23, joined his war-weary countrymen in celebrating South Sudan’s independence after a devastating and protracted conflict with the North. Like for many young people in South…
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‘Task Shifting’ brings Emergency Maternity Care to Burkina Faso Women
Burkina Faso
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso – Aminata Kouanda, 20, arrived at the Koupela health post, in eastern Burkina Faso, suffering complications late in her pregnancy. She faced the risk of uterine rupture and required an…
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Midwives in South Sudan Heed Call to Save Mothers
South Sudan
JUBA, South Sudan – Armed with a broad smile, Jennifer Ikokole ushers expectant mothers into a makeshift tent at the sprawling Tomping civilian protection camp in South Sudan’s capital, Juba. As the current crisis takes…
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Harnessing the potential of Africa’s youth
Nigeria
UNITED NATIONS, New York – The growing number of young people in Africa could offer enormous potential gains to the continent, but only if their needs are met and their rights are fulfilled. This was the central message…
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Making Youth Participation a Reality
Netherlands
UNITED NATIONS, New York – Youth participants took centre stage at a side event of the UN Commission on Population and Development where they joined international leaders and experts to discuss how young people can be…
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