News story
507 maternal deaths take place every day in emergencies, fragile settings, flagship report says
Humanitarian crises are taking an enormous toll around the world. More people are displaced today than at any time since World War II, and among those affected, women and girls are the most vulnerable.
Read storyNews story
Post-rape care needed to protect against HIV in conflict-affected Ukraine
Ukraine
Even before the conflict in Ukraine, sexual and gender-based violence often went unreported due to stigma, fear of retribution, and lack of trust in legal, medical and social support systems. But the conflict has made…
Read storyNews story
“If It’s Not On, It’s Not Safe”: Ugandan musicians promote condom use to save lives
Uganda
“A commando dies if he neglects the bullet proof. How do you work on a farm minus gumboots?” raps popular Ugandan musician GNL Zamba in the hit song “If It’s Not On, It’s Not Safe”. Behind these clever lyrics is a life-…
Read storyNews story
Empowering girls to take a stand against violence, abuse
Niger
Violence against women and girls is one of the world’s most pervasive human rights abuses. It happens every day, in every region, country and community on the planet, sometimes in plain sight.
Read storyNews story
Acceptance of family planning grows in Afghanistan, but myths linger
Afghanistan
HERAT, Afghanistan – "It is better to have one child rather than many, so you can give your child the support he needs and the best education you can offer," said Farzana, 37, at the family planning centre in Herat city…
Read storyNews story
Young motherhood threatens girls in rural Cambodia
Cambodia
At 16 years old, Svet is struggling with the challenges of motherhood. Having dropped out of school after grade 4, she had not received any information about sexual and reproductive health, family planning, or childcare…
Read storyNews story
Safe haven for girls living on the streets of Côte d'Ivoire
Côte d'Ivoire
AD’s* nightmare began when her parents died. “My uncle decided to marry me off against my will. I refused and ran away.” She sought help from her brother-in-law, “but he asked me to return to my so-called husband,” she…
Read storyNews story
Majority of maternal deaths take place in crises and fragile conditions
Updated figures released by the United Nations yesterday revealed that the global maternal death ratio has dropped 44 per cent since 1990, but too many women continue to die needlessly, and a majority of them are dying…
Read storyNews story
Reaching pregnant women, new mothers in wake of Typhoon Koppu
Philippines
Relief and recovery efforts are ongoing in the Philippines as floodwaters from Typhoon Koppu, known locally as Typhoon Lando, continue to recede. Among those affected are hundreds of thousands of women and girls of…
Read storyNews story
Phone line answers burning questions of Afghan youth
Afghanistan
A team of doctors are answering adolescents' questions at the Youth Health Line, the first-ever phone line designed to provide sensitive health information and assistance to Afghan youth.
Read storyNews story
As Yemen conflict drags on, women’s vulnerability grows
Yemen
Conditions for Yemeni women and girls are deteriorating as the conflict in Yemen drags on. The stress and chaos of the crisis, coupled with entrenched gender inequality, have left women and girls extremely vulnerable to…
Read storyNews story
Y-Peer Moldova brings sexual health education to vulnerable youth
Moldova, Republic of
“It is not easy at all for me to live alone,” Tudor told UNFPA. He has been living by himself since he was 13 years old, when the last of his family members moved abroad to work.
Read story