14 July 2017
News
A young woman at a fistula-repair campaign in Batouri, Cameroon. Obstetric fistula is a life-altering childbirth injury that afflicts the world's most marginalized women. But it can be repaired – and prevented. © UNFPA Cameroon/Olive Bonga
After devastating birth injuries, 33 women’s lives transformed
BATOURI, Cameroon – Amina was married when she was just a child. Soon after, she became pregnant, and, at only 13 years old, she went into labour. As is the case with many girls her age, Amina’s body was not mature... Read more
11 July 2017
News
Anjana rests with her newborn baby in Moulvibazar, Bangladesh. Both mother and baby survived an obstructed labour, thanks to the intervention of a midwife. © CIPRB/Animesh Biswas
In Bangladesh’s tea gardens, saving mothers and newborns
MOULVIBAZAR, Bangladesh – When labour pains started for Anjana, 20, she had no idea her life was at stake. She was 36 weeks into her first pregnancy, and felt contractions for a full day before her family called for the... Read more
7 July 2017
News
When Mae Esparcia returned to work after having a baby, she was able to access contraceptive pills through a workplace family planning programme. ©UNFPA Philippines/Mario Villamor
Workplace family planning project empowers women, and is good business
CAVITE, Philippines – Seven months ago, Mae Esparcia, 30, gave birth to her first child, Maria Carmen. After her delivery, Ms. Esparcia, a garments factory worker at Hamlin Industrial Corp. in Cavite, Philippines,... Read more
25 April 2017
News
Indigenous girls in northern Guatemala must often travel great distances to get to school, a factor that leads to high drop out rates. Bicycles help them stay in school. © UNFPA/Alejandro De León
With bicycles, impoverished indigenous girls in Guatemala get a taste of freedom
CHISEC, Guatemala – Like many girls in Pecajbá, in Guatemala, Gladys Azucena Cho Cuc was forced to drop out when she reached secondary school. The high school was simply too far from home. In rural communities around... Read more
20 March 2017
News
A community leader makes his way to the tent of a pregnant 14-year-old former child bride. “I am worried about the delivery,” said the girl’s father. © UNFPA/David Brunetti
Girls in crisis settings overlooked for life-saving care, say health advocates
UNITED NATIONS, New York/BEIRUT, Lebanon – “To be pregnant in the middle of a humanitarian setting is already a dangerous situation, but for girls aged 15 to 19 the risk of pregnancy-related death is already twice as... Read more