Latest news with #SRHR
Zawya
21-07-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Advancing access to sexual and reproductive health services in South Sudan
In an effort to address severely limited access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services in South Sudan, the Ministry of Health, with support from World Health Organization (WHO) and partners, has been implementing several initiatives to expand access in seven of its 10 states. Years of overlapping humanitarian crises, including infectious disease outbreaks and complex humanitarian crises driven by conflict and climate-related disasters have disrupted health systems, limiting access to essential health services, including SRHR. As a result, South Sudan continues to face some of the gravest SRHR challenges globally. Access to family planning is low, with a modern contraceptive prevalence rate of around 6% and an adolescent birth rate of 97 per 1000 girls between aged 15‒19 years. The country's maternal mortality ratio is estimated at 692 deaths per 100 000 live births, with around 10% linked to complications from unsafe abortion. The country's legislation permits abortion only when the mother's life is at risk. Despite these legal constraints, women may seek unsafe abortion services, often arriving at health facilities with severe post-abortion complications. With only around 40% of births attended by skilled birth attendants, other key contributors to maternal mortality include postpartum haemorrhage, obstructed labour and sepsis ‒ all of which are preventable with timely access to quality health care. Health authorities, with support from WHO and partners, have focused on expanding access to care that responds to people's needs, choices and rights, through resilient primary health systems. This has been done by strengthening coordination, training health workers and improving monitoring. Targeted efforts have focused on equipping health workers with the knowledge and skills they need to deliver better care. In the northwestern states of Warrap and Northern Bahr el Ghazal, in 2024, 50 health workers were trained in maternal and perinatal death surveillance and response, an important step toward strengthening how maternal and newborn deaths are identified, reported and addressed. An additional 50 health workers were trained in family planning in Torit and Wau, expanding access to voluntary contraceptive services in primary health centres. In Torit, Malakal, Renk and Wau states, 94 health workers received specialized training in the clinical management of rape, ensuring that survivors of gender-based violence from refugee, returnee and host communities can access timely, compassionate care. 'The training has also enabled me to diagnose patients with syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections. It has really expanded my knowledge and allowing me to assist many mothers,' says Faida Jackline, a 29-year-old midwife from Kator Primary Health Care Centre in Juba. Improving access to services also means working with communities to create demand and address stigma and misinformation. Because SRHR services have been absent in the past, many people do not know that they are available. Through dialogues, more than 540 local and religious leaders across five states have been oriented on the concepts underpinning SRHR, helping to increase awareness and promote greater use of available services among communities. WHO has supported the development of national post-abortion care guidelines, recognizing the critical role of safe and timely post-abortion care in preventing maternal deaths. The new guidelines focus on the management of complications from both spontaneous and unsafe abortions. Around 15 health workers from selected primary health care facilities were trained in the new guidelines and at least 30% of the 35 targeted health centres have been equipped with the necessary tools and supplies to deliver post-abortion care, including manual vacuum aspirators, beds, speculums and consumables. 'In collaboration with WHO, we have been able to successfully implement cervical cancer screening and post-abortion care management in six health facilities within Juba County. We have trained 14 midwives, who are currently doing excellent job screening patients in these six facilities. We sincerely thank WHO and partners for this collaboration,' says Vivian Hawa, Reproductive Health Coordinator at Central Equatoria State's Ministry of Health. During 2024, the first year of the project 934 women accessed care for post-abortion complications. This includes 68 health clients from primary health facilities, which initially never had the capacity to provide post-abortion care services. 'Previously we never use to provide post-abortion care at this facility, especially manual vacuum aspiration. However, after receiving the training in 2024, we are now able to attend to women who have had unsafe abortions and perform other post-abortion care procedures,' says Kenyi Emmanuel Wani, a 27-year-old midwife from Munuki Primary Healthcare Centre in Juba, the country's capital. As the programme is ending its second year, continued collaboration and investment will be essential to build on these early gains and contribute to longer-term improvements in reproductive health outcomes across the country. 'Access to quality SRHR services is a matter of dignity, rights, and resilience. South Sudan is making important strides to allow women and girls to gain access to the care they need,' says Dr Humphrey Karamagi, WHO Representative to South Sudan. 'WHO is proud to support the Ministry of Health in strengthening the health system and ensuring that no one is left behind.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.
Zawya
03-07-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Providing nonjudgmental and empathetic sexual and reproductive health services in Zambia
To improve access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services, including family planning and safe abortions, Zambia is training health workers in values clarification and attitude transformation (VCAT). Adolescents and young people often face barriers when seeking family planning services or safe abortions at health facilities. These barriers can be rooted in stigma and discrimination, which foster disapproval and negative perceptions against people seeking or providing these services. VCAT is a process that helps health workers understand their core values and how those influence their decisions and behaviours. It involves examining one's own beliefs, attitudes and assumptions and using that understanding to make more informed choices and take meaningful action. This process can lead to personal growth, improved decision-making and positive change. 'In Zambia, deeply rooted cultural, religious and societal beliefs influence people's views on SRHR, particularly on topics like abortion, contraception, adolescent sexuality and access to services,' says Dr Samson Chisele, Obstetrician-Gynaecologist at Lusaka's University Teaching Hospital and sexual and reproductive health and rights advocate. These values, attitudes and perceptions can also be held by community health assistants, who provide vital health information and deliver primary health services to communities. To better equip these frontline health providers, the Ministry of Health, with technical and financial support from World Health Organization (WHO) and partners, organized a four-day VCAT training in March 2025. This initiative brought together 30 participants, including community health assistants and provincial community health focal people from the 10 provinces in Zambia. The primary goal of the training was to address personal biases that act as barriers to essential SRHR services, particularly safe abortion and family planning, including contraception. 'During one session, we found that while most community health assistants were comfortable providing contraceptives to married people, they were reluctant to do so for adolescents,' says Dr Chisele, who led the facilitation of the workshop. 'VCAT helped them separate personal beliefs from their professional duties, aligning their work with government policy.' The comprehensive training programme provided accurate legal and medical information, addressed stigma and showcased personal stories that humanize young people's experiences. It emphasized the principles of providing non-judgmental and empathetic care to adolescent girls and young women. Around 760 women in Zambia died during pregnancy or childbirth in 2024, according to the Ministry of Health's Maternal and Perinatal Data Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) system. An estimated 5.1% of these deaths are attributed to unsafe abortion. This is despite provisions in Zambia's 1972 Termination of Pregnancy Act: if the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman is at risk, or the health of the foetus is at risk, or under certain socio-economic conditions, abortion is permitted by law. Participants learned how to deliver safe, effective and client-centred abortion care, including comprehensive counselling and appropriate referrals, ultimately encouraging health clients to seek care without fear of misconceptions or stigma. The basic elements of abortion-related counselling encompass pregnancy options, procedure options and ensuring the client's ability to make voluntary, informed choice and provide consent after receiving this information. 'My facility has two functioning youth-friendly corners which have helped the community and adolescents to access information, such as family planning methods available, who to get if from and where to find it,' says Hamatanga Gwangai, a health worker from Mululu rural health post in Chibombo, a town in the Central Province of Zambia. 'We faced some resistance from parents but after sharing some experiences they agreed to allow their children to access these services.' A key component of the training involved encouraging health workers to reflect on their personal values and societal norms, fostering a deeper understanding of how these can impact care for health clients. 'VCAT has helped,' says Helen Mwape, a community health assistant from James Milambo Memorial Health Post in Lufwanyama District, in the country's central Copperbelt Province. 'I received one adolescent for family planning and after asking where she got the information, she pointed one of the community-based volunteers... so it's working.' Following the training, participants' primary role is to act as change agents within their communities, orient fellow health workers at their respective facilities and lead open discussions on family planning and abortion. Community health focal people from the Ministry of Health are expected to orient community health assistants in VCAT during their supervisory visits in their assigned provinces. 'Following my action plan, I have taken several steps,' says Danny Kasongo from Misenga rural health post in Mansa district of Luapula province, located in the northern part of the country. 'I have oriented fellow staff on VCAT, conducted meetings with stakeholders, including the community, engaged community-based volunteers and created an adolescent safe space where sexual and reproductive health issues are discussed and services available.' VCAT represents a cultural shift within Zambia's health system. 'WHO is proud to support this initiative,' says Dr Clement Peter Lasuba, WHO Representative in Zambia. 'By targeting the root of stigma and empowering health providers, this programme is helping to ensure that no one is turned away or shamed when they seek care.' According to Dr Chisele, VCAT needs to be integrated into health and education systems: nursing and medical schools, teacher training colleges and public service induction programmes. 'We also need localized, co-created modules with local leaders and marginalized groups to ensure relevance. Digitizing and modernizing VCAT delivery could attract younger audiences and tech-savvy healthcare workers. In this way we ensure sustainability and longevity to truly transform service delivery,' he says. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - Zambia.
Free Malaysia Today
28-05-2025
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Group urges ‘more humane approach' after woman jailed for ending pregnancy
Young women need to be provided with accurate information, protection, and access to care, says Annuar Husain Hussein of the Federation of Reproductive Health Associations Malaysia. (Freepik pic) PETALING JAYA : An association has called for a more humane approach on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), following the jailing of a 21-year-old convicted of terminating her pregnancy. The Federation of Reproductive Health Associations Malaysia said the punitive outcome reflects systemic gaps in access to safe, legal, and non-judgmental reproductive health services, particularly for young and vulnerable individuals. Its acting chairman, Annuar Husain Hussein, said criminalising women for reproductive choices only deepens the cycle of silence, stigma, and suffering. 'Malaysia must adopt a public health and human rights approach to sexual and reproductive health and rights, one that empowers individuals, provides accurate information, and ensures protection and access to care,' Annuar said in a statement. He said the woman's situation also revealed multiple SRHR failures, including the lack of affordable contraceptive and family planning services, limited access to comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) and the absence of supportive and non-judgmental services for women facing unplanned or unwanted pregnancies. To prevent such tragedies, Malaysia must prioritise the strengthening of CSE in schools and communities, and expand access to contraception and family planning services for young people as well as underserved populations. The government should also ensure the availability of safe abortion services within the legal framework, and implement youth-friendly SRHR services that are confidential, respectful, and sensitive to the challenges young women face. 'In addition, there is an urgent need to tackle the stigma and cultural silence surrounding sexual and reproductive health, which often drives women to seek unsafe solutions such as purchasing pills online,' Annuar said. On Friday, it was reported that the woman was sentenced to nine months in jail by the Ayer Keroh magistrates' court in Melaka after pleading guilty to causing the death of her child before birth. The woman had purchased misoprostol online for RM600 to terminate her five-month pregnancy. A health think tank has since urged the government to reform the nation's abortion laws, saying the case exposed outdated laws that criminalised women while ignoring the root causes of unplanned pregnancies. Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy CEO Azrul Khalib said Malaysia's abortion laws were based on 19th-century provisions and did not reflect modern medical standards or the challenges faced by young, poor, or unmarried women. While abortion is legally allowed under certain conditions, he said, stigma and poor access to services often force women to resort to unsafe methods.
The Citizen
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Tiara to textbooks: Miss SA 2020 Shudufhadzo's fab first year at Columbia University and the United Nations
Former 2020 Miss South Africa, Shudufhadzo Musida, is proving that beauty and brains truly do go hand in hand. Now based in the United States, the inspiring humanitarian is making waves academically and diplomatically. Having completed her first year of a Master of International Affairs (MIA) degree at Columbia University, Shudu, as she's affectionately known, is also playing a key role on global platforms such as the United Nations, all while writing books and championing causes close to her heart. Academic excellence at Columbia University Shudufhadzo Musida's life has taken a bold and meaningful turn since her reign as Miss South Africa in 2020. In 2024, she marked a significant milestone by completing her first year at the prestigious Columbia University in New York. She's pursuing a Master of International Affairs (MIA), specialising in economic and political development, a course known for producing influential global thinkers and leaders. Her choice of study is no surprise; even during her pageant days, Shudu demonstrated a deep interest in mental health and social justice issues. Her current academic path is a natural progression for someone committed to using her platform for meaningful global impact. A strong voice at the United Nations While her studies are demanding, Shudu is also making her mark on the international stage. She has taken on the role of a moderator at high-level United Nations events, where she continues to advocate for women's rights and mental health. In a heartfelt social media post, she reflected on her experience moderating a UN event on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in crisis responses. 'Behind every policy, headline, and crisis response, there are people,' she wrote. 'Women and girls whose lives hang in the balance… Whose mental and physical health must be a priority, not an afterthought.' Her ability to bring empathy, intellect, and urgency to global issues has earned her the respect of influential figures, such as Dr. Natalia Kanem and Minister Åsmund Aukrust of Norway, who joined her on the panel. From the runway to the written word In addition to her academic and diplomatic achievements, Shudufhadzo published her second children's book, I Am Shudu. The book explores themes of self-discovery, self-worth, and healing, powerful messages inspired by her personal experiences of childhood bullying and the struggles she faced growing up. 'This may be a children's book, but it freed me,' she shared. 'The title alone speaks volumes about who I am and where I am today… My inner child is happy now. She's no longer scared; she has boundaries and knows that her voice and strength can change generations.' Her writing, much like her advocacy, is deeply personal and purpose-driven. She hopes her book will give children the comfort and encouragement they may not even realise they need. ALSO READ: WATCH: Birdie bliss! Gayton McKenzie's hilarious golf debut goes viral Drum dialogue: history and heritage In addition to her work with the UN, Shudu also hosted Drum Dialogue: Beats of Solidarity, an event commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Ark of Return, a permanent memorial at the UN honouring the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade. The occasion also launched the Second International Decade for People of African Descent, aimed at promoting recognition, justice, and development. Musida described it as an honour and a moment of reflection, especially given her African roots. Her presence at such a significant event underscores her dedication to amplifying the voices and histories of those often overlooked. Continued advocacy and global media presence 'It is all of our responsibility to make sure that all women and girls are free from this harmful practice'@SkyYaldaHakim speaks to Shudufhadzo Musida about the UNFPA's campaign to end Female Genital Mutilation around the 📺 Sky 501 and YouTube — Sky News (@SkyNews) February 6, 2025 In 2023, Shudu was also featured on Sky News, speaking passionately about ending female genital mutilation (FGM). Her unwavering campaign against the practice is part of her broader commitment to protecting women's rights worldwide. Even with her busy schedule, she remains actively engaged in humanitarian work, seamlessly balancing her roles as a model, student, and advocate. ALSO READ:Tributes pour in for TikToker Valeria Marquez, shot dead during livestream The beauty of purpose Once criticised and bullied during her reign as Miss South Africa, she has emerged stronger, using her voice to uplift others and drive real change. Her journey from Limpopo to New York is not just one of personal growth but of global influence. Whether in classrooms, conference rooms, or literary circles, Shudu continues to shine — not just with grace and glamour, but with heart and purpose.
