Recent News

No one knows how many Rohingya became pregnant as a result of rape by the Myanmar military. No one knows how many babies were born to survivors of sexual violence living among the 750,000 Rohingya in camps in Bangladesh.

Kenya has lifted a ban on Marie Stopes carrying out abortions in the country after a review found it had not actively encouraged women and girls to have them, a move that will prevent many unsafe terminations.

The Centre for Reproductive Rights on Friday sued the Ministry of Health and other state officials over the recent ban on Marie Stopes over safe abortions.

The World Bank has pulled a planned $300 million educational loan to Tanzania amid concerns about the country’s policy of banning pregnant girls from going to school. The $300 million program was meant to help Tanzania’s Ministry of Education improve access to quality secondary education.

One Margaret, 26, is among many Ugandan women who are at risk of suffering severe complications arising from unsafe abortion. Margaret, a resident of Kazo Angola zone in Kampala, recently told The Observer that she almost died while terminating her pregnancy using local herbs. She was forced to come to Kawempe General hospital for proper care.

After more than 10 hours of debate, on October 17 Colombia’s Constitutional Court reaffirmed women’s right to abortion. With the 6-3 decision, the court fought off an attempt to place further restrictions on women’s reproductive autonomy and left untouched the court’s 2006 ruling.

Government has taken a decision to appeal the judgment handed down by the Western Cape High Court on Muslim marriages.

Regions of sub-Saharan Africa have some of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. Geographical obstacles, scarce financial resources and the terrors of political insurrection can transform what should be one of the happiest times of a woman’s life into a race for survival.

Rwanda has taken a critical step toward upholding women’s fundamental human rights, particularly with the removal of the requirement to obtain a court authorisation and have two doctors sign off, which will contribute to ensuring that women and girls do not resort to unsafe abortions. 

Stakeholders at a forum held in Bolgatanga have appealed to government to ensure that maternal mental healthcare is mainstreamed into the country’s health systems.