For Kyrgyzstan’s LGBTQI community, risks escalate under COVID-19 pandemic BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan – Alina* has faced a lifetime of challenges all too familiar to other transgender people. And she says those difficulties have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Alina was young when she began to feel like she was “living in somebody else’s body,” she said. “I loved… READ ARTICLE Safety elusive for women in South Sudan’s protection sites amid pandemic BENTIU, South Sudan – Since the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in South Sudan in April, more than 2,000 cases of the illness have been recorded. Tensions are rising within families and communities, leaving women and girls vulnerable to violence as they attempt to isolate or escape from the virus. “Women suffer in… READ ARTICLE Health workers in West Africa “in daily danger” while providing reproductive health services GODOMEY, Benin/ASSAHOUN, Togo/CONAKRY, Guinea As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, health workers in West Africa say it has been challenging to prevent the spread of the virus while providing life-saving sexual and reproductive health services. “As midwives, we are constantly struggling to ensure that we protect ourselves… READ ARTICLE Five things you didn’t know about practices that harm girls UNITED NATIONS, New York – Every day, hundreds of thousands of girls around the world are harmed physically or psychologically, with the full knowledge and consent of their families, friends and communities. And without urgent action, the situation is likely to worsen. These are the findings of UNFPA’s flagship 2020… READ ARTICLE Indigenous, Afro-Honduran communities join together to fight pandemic TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – As countries grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, indigenous and Afro-descendant communities are among the most vulnerable, with many facing poverty, poor health-care access and limited information. In Honduras, members of these communities are joining together to ensure information and resource reach the most vulnerable. “We have… READ ARTICLE Pregnant indigenous women in Panama face COVID-19 fears, lack of transport June 11, 2020 GNÄBE BUGLÉ REGION, Panama – Carmen was two days into an excruciating labour when she was carried to the nearest health clinic – three hours away – in a hammock held aloft by community members. Her situation was life-threatening, but she had been unable to seek… READ ARTICLE Friends of UNFPA and 1AND1 Life Partner on Face Mask Initiative 1AND1 Life is an inclusive health and wellness company, that has generously partnered with Friends of UNFPA to support the health and dignity of both people who need face masks to protect themselves from COVID-19 and women and girls who need lifesaving reproductive healthcare. You can purchase a… READ ARTICLE In war-torn Yemen, life-threatening pregnancy complication finds a happy ending SANA’A, Yemen – Twenty-three-year-old Amani, from Shabwa Governorate in southern Yemen, waited years to have a child. But when she finally did get pregnant, her husband lost his job. As his income disappeared, so did her ability to access maternal health services. And then, she experienced a life-threatening complication…. READ ARTICLE Friends of UNFPA Statement on Racist Violence in the United States Issued June 4, 2020 Friends of UNFPA is heartbroken by the recent deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and too many before them. As an organization devoted to supporting societal change – so that every life is given value and every person can fulfill their potential – we… READ ARTICLE COVID-19 strikes Yemen as humanitarian funding dries up SANA’A, Yemen – On 10 April, Yemen announced its first laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19. Since then, 34 more cases and 7 deaths have been reported. Health workers, already stretched to the limit by five years of grinding conflict, are sounding the alarm that the pandemic could spell catastrophe for the country…. READ ARTICLE
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