News on Gender equality

11 October 2016
News
Sibongile Majaura's business has saved her education and helps support her family. © UNFPA Zimbabwe/Nikita Little
“What our daughter has done is a miracle” – the power of one adolescent girl
MAKONDE, Zimbabwe – Three years ago, Sibongile Majaura was on the cusp of dropping out of school, a misfortune all too familiar to girls in Zimbabwe.  But she has defied the odds. With just a little investment and a lot... Read more
10 October 2016
News
Jumwa Kabibu Kai, 77, with Kilifi County Governor Amason Kingi, at an event raising awareness about fistula. © UNFPA Kenya/Douglas Waudo
Fifty years after a terrible childbirth injury, Kenyan woman gets a new lease on life
KILIFI, Kenya – Decades ago, Jumwa Kabibu Kai was pregnant with her second child in the small village of Kidutani, Kenya. The area was poor and isolated – her nearest neighbour was 3 kilometres away – and there was no... Read more
6 October 2016
News
Faouzia Yaya was forced into marriage three years ago. A new penal code has just been adopted to prevent such marriages. © UNFPA Cameroon
New rules to help end child marriage in Cameroon
MAROUA/YAOUNDE, Cameroon – “I was forced into marriage by my father at the age of 14,” Faouzia Yaya, now 17, told UNFPA. “My father insisted, even knowing I did not want it. I even ran away to my uncle’s place, but he... Read more
3 October 2016
News
Muna was left to fend for her children alone in the Domiz refugee camp in Iraq. © UNFPA Iraq/Khetam Malkawi
“I am a prey to all men”: Refugee women endure poverty, harassment, isolation
DUHOK, Iraq – When 28-year-old Muna* fled the turmoil in Syria three years ago, she did not imagine she would wind up alone, shouldering sole responsibility for her children’s care, all while under constant threat of... Read more
20 September 2016
News
World Bank Vice President Keith Hansen, President Idriss Déby of Chad, President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré of Burkina Faso, UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin and moderator Folly Bah Thibault (left to right) at a high-level dialogue on achieving the demographic dividend. © UNFPA/Koye Adeboye
African presidents urge investment in youth as continent sees rare demographic opportunity
UNITED NATIONS, New York/BAGRE, Burkina Faso – Presidents, ministers, and United Nations and World Bank officials met yesterday at UN Headquarters in New York to strengthen their commitments for the young people of... Read more
23 August 2016
News
A joint UN programme targets 1 million vulnerable girls with messages on empowerment, sexual and reproductive health, leadership and human rights. © UNFPA Mozambique
Joint UN programme aims to empower over 1 million girls in Mozambique
NAMPULA Mozambique – “Before I entered the safe space, I was shy, and it was difficult for me to express myself. I spent my free time after school with vulnerable girlfriends my age who had left school to marry, and... Read more
17 August 2016
News
UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador Ashley Judd looks at a shelled building in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. © UNFPA Ukraine/Maks Levin
Dispatches from the road: Goodwill Ambassador Ashley Judd on conflict, abuse and healing in Ukraine
This spring, humanitarian, writer, actor and UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador Ashley Judd travelled to Ukraine. During her weeklong trip, she met with survivors of gender-based violence and internally displaced women and girls... Read more
12 August 2016
News
Fatima Muhammed demonstrates how to make a reusable sanitary napkin in her school's sewing room. Classmate Deborah Chavula looks on. © UNFPA Malawi/Henry Chimbali
Periods not a problem thanks to pad-making club in Malawi
SENGA BAY, Malawi – After finishing class for the day, Fatima Muhammed and Deborah Chavula head to their school’s sewing room to make sanitary napkins. It is an unusual after-school activity, but a vital one: They... Read more
1 August 2016
News
Alexandrina, Amina and Ionela talk about the barriers girls face in the Republic of Moldova. © UNFPA Republic of Moldova
Girls call for tearing down gender barriers in Republic of Moldova
CHISINAU, Republic of Moldova – “My biggest dream is to be healthy, to have a successful career and to have a family,” said Alexandrina, a 16-year-old girl from Helesteni, Nisporeni. These dreams are shared with... Read more
11 July 2016
News
Investing in teenage girls is critical – not only for girls, but for the world. © UNFPA Niger
World Population Day in Six Eye-Popping Charts
UNITED NATIONS, New York – Today is World Population Day, a day that calls attention on urgent population issues. This World Population Day spotlights the need to invest in teenage girls. Despite strides the world has... Read more

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