News on Gender-based violence

16 February 2017
News
Families, including pregnant women, children, and disabled and elderly people, have fled shelling and airstrikes in northern Myanmar’s Kachin State. © Metta Development Foundation
Reaching women and girls across the line of fire in Myanmar’s Kachin conflict
KACHIN STATE, Myanmar – Since the armed conflict in northern Myanmar’s Kachin State intensified in December, nearly 7,000 people have fled the area, often amid shelling and airstrikes. Among the people on the run are... Read more
1 February 2017
News
Solani Zapata, a member of her region's indigenous council, says talking about FGM sparked conversations about women's role in society. © UNFPA/Daniel Baldotto
In Colombia, efforts to end FGM are empowering women to be leaders
BOGOTA, Colombia – Solani Zapata first heard about female genital mutilation (FGM) when she gave birth to her daughter. Her mother-in-law insisted she had to cut her newborn’s clitoris. Shocked, Ms. Zapata refused.  She... Read more
20 January 2017
News
The outreach campaign provided antenatal care, postpartum services, family planning counselling and many other services. © UNFPA Somalia
Thousands reached in Somalia reproductive health campaign
MORODIJEEX – It was early morning when a young sheikh, Abdi Iidan, and his wife joined the long queue leading to a tent in Morodijeex, in north-western Somalia. Mr. Iidan stood out from the crowd; women dominated the... Read more
13 January 2017
News
UNFPA, with its partner the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, distributes hygiene kits in Aleppo during a recent assessment mission. © UNFPA Syria
Women’s needs staggering as winter grips Aleppo, UN convoy finds
ALEPPO, Syria – Women’s health, hygiene and protection needs are staggering in the bomb-scarred city of Aleppo, UNFPA observers reported following a United Nations interagency needs assessment conducted from 1 to 12... Read more
10 January 2017
News
Natasha Biendi was married off when she was just 13 years old. Life as an underage wife and mother is hard. “There is too much work to do," she said. © UNFPA
Changing minds to help child brides in Cameroon
MAROUA/BATOURI, Cameroon – “My father forced me into marriage at the age of 14 – to a man I barely even knew,” Aminatou Bello, now 16, told UNFPA in Maroua, in the extreme north of Cameroon. The marriage quickly turned... Read more
20 December 2016
News
Hillary Bustos Gómez found herself pregnant at 16 years old. © UNFPA/Priscilla Mora
In Costa Rica, from teen mom to girls’ rights advocate
GUANACASTE, Costa Rica – When Hillary Bustos Gómez found herself pregnant at 16, she was not prepared for the challenges ahead. “The first months were the hardest. I couldn’t get used to the idea. ‘What am I going to do... Read more
16 December 2016
News
"I’m proud to be a man who stands up against domestic violence,” said Aung Htwe. © UNFPA/Yenny Gamming
Not just a women’s issue: Men in Myanmar take on gender-based violence
Kachin, Myanmar – Five years ago, armed conflict engulfed Nam San Yam Village in northern Myanmar, forcing Aung Htwe to flee for his life. Since then, he has lived in the Maina AG displacement camp, unable to return... Read more
9 December 2016
News
A member of the mobile team meets with Tetiana in her temporary accommodations in Kharkiv. © UNFPA/Denys Panchenko
After long nightmare in Ukraine, displaced family finds peace
KHARKIV, Ukraine – Tetiana* and her husband were abducted and savagely abused after conflict broke out in Donetsk, in eastern Ukraine. After months of torment, they and their nine children were driven from their home... Read more
5 December 2016
News
Namibian techies spent a hectic 24 hours creating innovations to tackle gender-based violence. Team Amani celebrates their win. © UNFPA Namibia/Emma Mbekele
Namibian hackathon takes on scourge of gender violence
WINDHOEK, Namibia – In many ways, Lelanie Basson is the picture of an empowered woman. But the best-selling Namibian author and entrepreneur remembers darker times: an abusive relationship that turned her life upside... Read more
30 November 2016
News
The Dohuk Women's Centre offers specialized, sensitive care for survivors of ISIL's brutality. © UNFPA/Khetam Malkawi
After escape, former ISIL slaves face new challenges
DUHOK, Iraq – “I was raped. I hated life and attempted suicide,” described Maha*, a 19-year-old Yazidi woman who was abducted by the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL, also known as Daesh or ISIS). She was enslaved... Read more

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