12 June 2019
News
Participants in the ‘Beauty for All’ course show off their new skills at a graduation ceremony in April. Photo courtesy of L’Oréal
Beauty for the brave: Abuse survivors learn to make it on their own
KYIV, Ukraine – Not long ago, Olena* feared for her life and for her children. For years, husband assaulted her physically and sexually. He threatened to kill her if she ever left. But she found the strength to protect... Read more
18 July 2018
News
Phoebe Tamondong, 25, learned about family planning through a UNFPA-supported programme at her company. © UNFPA Philippines/Mario Villamor
Companies reach more than 1 million with family planning information in Philippines
LAGUNA, Philippines – “I used to believe that jumping after sex prevented pregnancy,” said Phoebe Tamondong, 25, in Laguna Province, in the Philippines. She is not alone – these and other family planning myths are... Read more
30 May 2018
News
Faith Kiraison, an advocate for girls' rights and health, teaches her peers about menstrual health management. © UNFPA Kenya/Douglas Waudo
A turning point for girls' and women’s menstrual health in Africa
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa/NAROK, Kenya – “I felt embarrassed to be a girl and felt like it was a punishment,” recalled 13-year-old Faith, describing her first period.  She was living in a boarding school in Narok... Read more
23 March 2018
News
“We really need more information on sex and reproductive health,” said Kathleen Acosta, 18, a senior and student leader at UP high school in Iloilo. © UNFPA Philippines
In the Philippines, information key to halting teenage pregnancy
ILOILO, Philippines – “I was shocked when I found out I was pregnant,” said Gina*, now 19. At the time, she was a third-year high school student in Iloilo, a central province of the Philippines, and already six months... Read more
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