Top women's health news

Ethiopian activist honoured for 97% FGM reduction

The Belgium-based King Baudouin Foundation has honoured Bogaletch Gebre, an Ethiopian activist and founder of the Kembatti Mentti Gezzimma (KMG) group, for her "innovative" work in reducing Ethiopia's number of female genital mutilation (FGM)

2,000 Malagasy women 'develop fistula each year'

As many as 2,000 women in Madagascar develop obstetric fistula every year, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has said, but only ten facilities in the country are capable of treating the debilitating condition.

Hip-hop artist warns Senegal pupils about FGM

A Senegalese hip-hop artist who underwent female genital mutilation (FGM) during childhood is touring the country's schools to educate teenagers on the dangers of the practice, thanks to a project funded by London-based anti-FGM charity Orchid Project.<

EngenderHealth outlines 'fistula-free generation'

US non-profit organisation EngenderHealth has identified several key steps required to achieve a "fistula-free generation", marking the inaugural International Day to End Obstetric Fistula on May 23rd and calling for the continued support of world governments in eradicating the condition.

UK govt 'very frustrated' by absence of FGM prosecutions

Despite criminalising the practice in 1985, the UK has yet to see a single prosecution for female genital mutilation (FGM) - leaving the government "very frustrated", international development minister Lynne Featherstone has said.

Garment 'saving lives' of mothers in Cambodia

A non-pneumatic anti-shock garment has been successfully deployed in rural health centres in Cambodia, having saved the lives of two mothers since April, the USAID Better Health Services project has said.

Uganda short of MDG 5 target, says UNDP

Uganda's high maternal mortality rate is "causing concern", the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has reported, falling short of the nation's Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5 target.

May 23rd is International Day to End Obstetric Fistula

Designated by the UN General Assembly last year, the inaugural International Day to End Obstetric Fistula will be held on Thursday (May 23rd) and be commemorated with events and campaign launches around the world, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has announced.

Malaysia faces 'big challenge' to meet MDG 5

Despite having massively reduced its maternal mortality rate over the last half-century, Malaysia faces a "big challenge" to meet its UN Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5 target, the country's Family Health Development Division director Dr Safurah Jaafar has said.

Ugandan tribes report 40% drop in FGM cases

The number of female genital mutilation (FGM) cases among Uganda's Pokot and Sabiny tribes was successfully reduced by 40 per cent between 2010 and 2012, a new report claims.

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