News

Every year on the 8th of March, the world pauses to celebrate women. Flowers are given, speeches are made, and hashtags trend. But for millions of women and girls across Kenya, International Women’s Day is not a celebration it is a reminder of a systemic betrayal.

Support for community pharmacies has been identified as a powerful way to expand access to safe, legal contraceptive services, especially for women and girls who have had abortions and want to avoid future unplanned pregnancies.

In Kenya, women and adolescent girls are faced with extreme human rights violations such as early marriages and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). These violations rob them of their dignity, and rights and hinder their potential to contribute meaningfully to society. The ongoing 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is an annual international campaign that runs from November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to December 10 (Human Rights Day).

In Uganda, as in many developing countries across Africa, low utilisation of modern contraceptives among young people has been attributed to a variety of factors. These include limited access to contraceptive services, negative perceptions, and concerns about side effects.

As Gen Zs across the country were mobilising themselves on social media to push for reforms in government, another set of youth in Homa Bay was using the same platform to advocate for their sexual and reproductive rights (SRHR).

Homa Bay County is experiencing a condom shortage as organisations advocating for sexual and reproductive health rights urge prompt action to stop the spread of HIV infections.

Read about the alarmingly high rates of teenage pregnancies and C-section, as well as HIV infections and gender violence in Homa Bay County.

The government has moved to enforce the ban on services offered by the Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) across Uganda.

After being ranked as one of the top counties where the triple threat of an upsurge in gender based violence, teen pregnancies and increased cases of HIV infections, the fight against the menace has received a boost after Ipas stepped in to provide funding to help curb the situation.

According to the report, there is limited knowledge and empowerment on opportunities for women. This casts doubt on the quality and effectiveness of voter education conducted in the county.