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“Always a fighter”: Afrodescendent activist Lilian León offers solidarity and support to survivors of gender-based violence in northern Perú
Peru
PIURA, Perú – “Without light, water, internet and telephone services, how could we seek help? Who would listen?” said Afrodescendent farmer, craftswoman and women’s rights activist Lilian León.
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Communication and understanding: The pillars supporting culturally sensitive maternal health care in Panama
CIUDAD DE DAVID, Panama – At hospitals around the world, the attire of health-care staff sends important messages to patients. White coats often signal professionalism; surgical scrubs suggest cleanliness and sterility…
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Ukrainian refugees find life-saving care – and a support network – at Moldovan hospital
Ukraine
CHIȘINĂU, The Republic of Moldova – To Alina, the Gheorghe Paladi hospital in the Moldovan capital, Chișinău, has meant many things: Shelter. Survival. And now, solidarity and support.
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After 13 years of crisis, we hear from female health workers in Syria leading the charge for women and girls
IDLEB, Syrian Arab Republic – “I have personally experienced the dire consequences of conflict on health care,” said Dr. Ikram Habbush, director of the Idleb Maternity Hospital in northwest Syria.
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“Gaza is at breaking point”: Health workers and patients describe an unfolding catastrophe in Rafah
RAFAH, The Gaza Strip – Dr. Mohamed Ragab used to work as a gynaecologist and obstetrician at the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza. But after the health centre was bombarded in February 2023, up…
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Investing in equality: How young women are innovating to improve their health, rights and lives
UNITED NATIONS, New York – “I lead a team of six amazing women, with specialties from pharmaceutical supply chains to software engineering and digital marketing – our journey so far in empowering young women to take…
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Mali conflict carries heavy toll for pregnant women amid rising insecurity
Mali
MOPTI REGION, Mali – “Many women come here to give birth as a last resort,” said Kadiatou Karembé, a midwife at the Sominé Dolo hospital in Sévaré in Mopti, in central Mali. “Sometimes they spend the night on the road…
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A travelling theatre in Guinea-Bissau sparks conversations and changes minds about gender-based violence
Guinea-Bissau
BIOMBO, Guinea-Bissau – “The piece on forced marriage touched my soul, because I am a victim of this harmful practice,” said Domingas* in Quinhamel, in the western Biombo region of Guinea-Bissau.
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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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