Refugee women of the Karen community in Myanmar describe their struggle to bring about a peaceful return to their homeland and peace in their own domestic households. Produced by American Jewish World Service.
At the end of our visit to the camp for internally displaced people, we thanked the women for sharing their stories. But then they said: visitors come, we talk to them, they listen, leave. Nothing changes for us.
Female politicians were said to get most of the credit for ending the government shutdown. The first-ever European Union human trafficking report was also released.
Despite the improved mood on the streets of Yangon since the end of military rule, the country’s girls and women are still heavily trafficked. One businesswoman is raising awareness and using her factory to offer employment.
As the U.S. changes strategy on Myanmar, Stephanie Guyer-Stevens wonders about what it will mean for the country’s women. Last summer, a young Burmese woman next to her on a plane was afraid to even say the name Aung San Suu Kyi.
(WOMENSENEWS)–CheersIn commemoration of World Population Day on July 11, the United Nations Population Fund has called on men around the world to become partners in maternal health care.”Experience shows that men’s involvement and participation can make all the difference. By discouraging early marriage, promoting girls’ education, fostering equitable relationships and supporting women’s reproductive health and rights, progress is made,” said Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, the Population Fund’s executive director. “It is time for all men as fathers, brothers, husbands, community and religious leaders, and government officials to become partners in maternal health.”About 525,600 women die annually from pregnancy and childbirth complications. Every minute, a woman loses her life. And for every woman who dies, 20 experience serious complications such as obstetric fistula, a debilitating childbirth injury that affects more than 2 million women around the world.The U.N. will work with governments and other partners to guarantee that every woman has access to three reproductive health services saving women’s lives: voluntary family planning, skilled attendance at birth and emergency obstetric care if complications arise during delivery.