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“We were judgmental”: Making health care safe, accessible to young people
Malawi
LILONGWE, Malawi – “I thought family planning was for married people, not for girls,” said Blessings Sonkhanani, a nurse at Namwera Health Center in Malawi’s Mangochi District. “We were not friendly to young people. We…
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Young pioneer in Ethiopia defies FGM, finds love
Ethiopia
Hawa Buha is a trailblazer in her conservative pastoralist community in norther Ethiopia. First, she refused to undergo female genital mutilation, a choice that left her unmarriageable, according to local traditions.…
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“I have value”: Brave polio survivor overcomes every obstacle
Niger
Barira Harouna, 16, is unlike any of other girl in her village, Bargaja, in Niger’s Maradi Region. At only 2 years old, she was paralyzed by polio. Two years later, her father died, and she soon was forced to beg in the…
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One year after Gaza conflict, situation for women and youth remains dire
Palestine, State of
The conflict in Gaza ended one year ago with heavy destruction, suffering and loss of life. Although some progress has been made since then, conditions remain difficult, especially for women and young people.
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Syrian refugee parents take a stand against child marriage
Jordan, Syrian Arab Republic
Child marriages appear to be rising among Syrian refugees as families grow increasingly desperate under the grinding four-year-old conflict. But many brave parents are refusing to marry their daughters off, no matter…
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Youth spring into action in wake of Myanmar’s floods
Myanmar
Over a million people have been critically affected by floods and landslides sweeping Myanmar. Humanitarian responders – including youth volunteers – are working around the clock to assist affected populations.
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Health camps bring life-saving care to disaster survivors
Nepal
Months after the devastating earthquake in Nepal, access to essential health services remains a serious concern for survivors. To reach those most affected, UNFPA is supporting reproductive health camps, which bring…
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Madagascar sees a new generation of women leaders
Madagascar
“I used to tell young people to stand up for their ideas,” said Tiana Razafinimanana, in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar. Today, she is not only helping the country’s young people express their ideas – she is…
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Young leaders make the case for peace in Somalia
Somalia
Somalia’s youth face an uphill struggle. More than 75 per cent of the country’s population is under 30 years old, according to the most recent population estimates, yet nearly three decades of conflict have left them…
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Sexuality education comes to Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan
Twelve-year old Aigul,* in eastern Kyrgyzstan, locked herself in a school bathroom and contemplated suicide. She thought she was pregnant – but she was very wrong.
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Silent no more: Radio in Cameroon amplifies the voices of women and girls
Cameroon
Conditions are often harrowing for women and girls in Cameroon’s Far North Region, where their health and rights typically take a back seat to those of men and boys. Violence, child marriage and maternal death are all…
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At Uganda hackathon, youth code their way to better sexual and reproductive health
Uganda
The hackathon participants raced through the night to devise the best, most innovative mobile phone apps to promote sexual and reproductive health. The 'HackForYouth' event brought together youth and experts…
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