Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health Risk Index for Sub-Saharan Africa

carol — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:45:57 -0600

In 2008 the number of African women who died from pregnancy and child birth was much higher than the number of casualties from all the major conflicts in Africa combined. Maternal mortality continues to be the major cause of death among women of reproductive age (15-49) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Most of these women die from complications that can often be effectively treated in a health system that has adequate skilled personnel, a functioning referral system and can respond to obstetric emergencies when they occur.

This report from Population Action International looks at the performance of Sub-Saharan African countries in meeting reproductive health targets in 47 countries and ranks them using a set of ten indicators in order of the highest to lowest risk. It highlights the need to increase the level of investment in reproductive health, step up policy reform and implementation, expand access to services in rural areas, strengthen health systems, promote the realization of rights and abolish retrogressive cultural practices that perpetuate gender inequities and put the lives of women and girls at risk.

Information Provided by Carol Lombard, Department of Social Development Population Website

KM & Social Challenges

Sexuality and life skills: participatory activities on sexual reproductive health with young people

carol — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:48:02 -0600

Produced by: International HIV/AIDS Alliance (2008)

This toolkit is a result of team work between sexual and reproductive health practitioners working with young people in Zambia, Malawi Zimbabwe and Uganda. It is written for anyone who wants to facilitate participatory learning activities with young people to equip them with knowledge, positive attitudes and skills to grow up and enjoy sexual and reproductive health and well- being.

The toolkit's intended audience includes peer educators, outreach workers, school teachers and community workers. It covers themes on community mobilisation, gender and sexuality, prevention, reproductive health, stigma and discrimination. The educational approach to behavioural change used in the toolkit is based on the belief that people actively learn through participatory problem solving activities related to their own lives.

Specifically the tool aims to assist facilitators to:

provide accurate and complete factual information to young people
plan appropriate and educational activities for groups of young people that enable them to analyse their own situations, resources and needs
apply new knowledge to their own lives
increase awareness of their own values and attitudes
develop their self esteem and confidence
develop life skills for example communication and assertiveness skills, problem solving and decision making
build trust and take collective action as a group
follow up and evaluate their work

Information Provided by Carol Lombard, Department of Social Development Population Website

KM & Social Challenges