International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Any campaigns which encourage young people to discuss sexual health issues are positive, it has been claimed.

Anna Martinez, coordinator of the UK Sex Education Forum, said there will never be "a magic bullet" to improving people's sexual behaviour, but fostering a culture of openness can help address specific issues.

Being overweight could have an adverse effect on HIV treatment, according to a new study.

Research conducted by a team from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) highlighted that people who are obese do not respond as well to antiretroviral therapy as people who are a normal weight.

More than 100 million women in Africa have suffered female genital mutilation, it has been reported.

According to VOA News, the painful and highly dangerous practice involves the removal of all or part of the female genitalia.

The remaining flesh is sometimes stitched closed in a practice called infibulation, the news provider added.

HIV and Aids prevention schemes can no longer work in isolation, according to a leading international health expert.

Michel Sidibe, executive director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/Aids, said there was evidence to suggest that HIV has a significant impact on maternal mortality rates in Africa and Asia.

New HIV infections have been reduced by 17 per cent over the past eight years, according to a new study.

Research published in the 2009 AIDS epidemic update indicates that the number of new infections has fallen by around 15 per cent in sub-Saharan Africa since 2001, 25 per cent in East Asia and ten per cent in the south and south-east of the continent.

Women must be able to make their own decisions on family planning issues if they are to live safer and healthier lives, it has been claimed.

According to Bunmi Makinwa, Africa regional director at the United Nations Population Fund, family planning, reproductive rights and gender equality are all intricately linked.

Hundreds of millions of children around the world are still deprived of food, shelter, clean water and healthcare, according to the United Nations children's agency (Unicef).

The agency claims that the rights of young girls are especially pressing, since they are less likely to attend school or receive essential healthcare.

Leading a healthier lifestyle could help prevent cancer, the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) has claimed.

Figures from the charity show that about 78,700 cases of 12 common cancers could be prevented. This includes 16,100 cases of bowel and 19,100 cases of breast cancer.

Nigeria's first lady has urged non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to assist the national government in its bid to reduce maternal and infant mortality.

A women's health and rights campaigner has told of her agony at suffering forced circumcision at the age of 14.

Speaking to Voa News, Agnes Pareyio – who helped establish the Kenyan movement to end female genital mutilation (FGM) - said she was labelled a coward for attempting to resist the practice.