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Somali survivors of female genital mutilation advocate to change minds – and lives
Somalia
MOGADISHU, Somalia – “I used to feel fear when it was night time,” mother-of-two Nurto Abdi Osman told UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency.
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Impossible choices in Gaza: “Women are giving birth prematurely because of terror”
Rafah, GAZA STRIP – “It was exhausting – we handled 78 cases in one night.” There are only five beds for deliveries at the Al-Helal Al-Emirati maternity hospital in Rafah, where midwife Samira Hosny Qeshta works.
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From recovery to resilience: Zeynab's story after the earthquakes in Northwest Syria
Syrian Arab Republic
JANDARIS, Northwest Syria – “I was psychologically devastated, with nowhere to turn and no belongings,” said Zeynab Marai, a 45-year-old mother from Jandaris, in Northwest Syria. “My hopes were shattered.”
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“I feel more confident”: Empowering young people with disabilities with agency over their sexual and reproductive health in Mongolia
Mongolia
ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia – “I embrace these conversations as normal and healthy,” 18-year-old Adiya told UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. Adiya is one of thousands of adolescents in Mongolia…
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Champion of change: How a Tanzanian youth activist is rallying for gender equality in her community
Tanzania, United Republic of
MASANGA, United Republic of Tanzania – “If only we had a community free from gender-based violence, teenage pregnancy, child marriage and female genital mutilation, then all girls would be able to achieve their dreams…
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After surviving sexual violence, youth leader creates change for girls with disabilities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
MATADI, Democratic Republic of the Congo – Ngoma* is deaf, so she didn’t hear the group of boys as they snuck up behind her on a road in her hometown of Matadi, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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Raising the voices of survivors to create a generation free from female genital mutilation in Ethiopia
Ethiopia
DALOCHA DISTRICT, Ethiopia – When she was fourteen, Zekia discovered that her parents were secretly preparing for her older sister to undergo female genital mutilation.
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Communities in healing, a year after two tragic earthquakes shook southern Türkiye
Türkiye
KAHRAMANMARAŞ/MALATYA, Türkiye – “She was there when I needed someone most, providing essential help in dire times,” said Zeynep*.
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Breaking the cycle for survivors: UNFPA offers counselling and support to abandon female genital mutilation in Yemen
Yemen
HADRAMOUT GOVERNORATE, Yemen – “I lost my baby in front of my eyes,” said Safia*, a young woman from a remote village in Hadramout, Yemen. Safia’s marriage had been arranged for her 21st birthday. One year later, she…
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“I must continue fighting to keep her in school”: Following the Ruta de los Sueños bus to prevent teen pregnancy across Honduras
Honduras
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – “I want to be a doctor.” “I want to be an engineer.” “I want to be an artist.” These are just a few of more than 5,000 dreams that teenagers have shared on the Ruta de los Sueños bus.
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“I have my life back”: How one mother in Senegal is thriving after obstetric fistula
Senegal
TAMBACOUNDA, Senegal – “After giving birth, I developed a fistula and my life was turned upside down,” said Khady* at her home in the village of Koumpentoum, deep in Senegal’s southern Tambacounda region.
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Heroes in pink: Lao midwives supporting rights and saving lives
Lao People's Democratic Republic
XIENG KHOUANG PROVINCE, Lao People’s Democratic Republic – “I can’t wait to graduate and become a practising midwife. I am passionate about deliveries and I love babies a lot,” said 20-year-old midwifery student Aspy…
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