‘Unsafe deliveries and fistula are the problems of the poor’

8/5/2018

Left to right: Dr. Shershah Syed, Sabien Lahaye-Battheu, Felipe Sere. Copyright: Sensoa

Despite progress in safe deliveries, 830 women die every day due to pregnancy and delivery related complications and millions of women live with long lasting health problems as a result of them. Fistulas are one of the most serious delivery complications. Fistulas can lead to still births, incontinence, stigma, shame and social exclusion and in some cases the mother’s death. Approximately 2 million women live with the complication. Reasons enough to put the problem in the spotlight.

Minister De Croo: “We will promote She Decides worldwide”

22/2/2018

During the diplomatic days, vice prime minister and minister of development cooperation Alexander De Croo addressed the Belgian diplomatic staff on sustainable development. The Minister pointed out the progress made over the past ten years with regard to human rights in half of the partner countries of the Belgian Development Cooperation. With the Ibrahim Index on African Governance in his hand, he underlined that human and economic development go hand in hand with progress regarding human rights, gender equality and non-discrimination of minorities and sexual minorities.

Key take aways on access to quality medicines and reproductive health supplies

20/11/2017

How to ensure medicines of good quality and much needed reproductive health supplies? On November 8, the Belgian development cooperation and Be-cause health, the Belgian platform on international health, organised a seminar on access to quality medicines and supplies for sexual reproductive health and rights. Some key take aways.

How to promote sexual health in times of populism?

12/10/2017

How to promote and protect sexual health and rights in times of populism and conservatism? This was the key question of the EuroNGOs’ conference, the European network of organisations that advocate sexual and reproductive health and rights, organised in Brussels on 27-28 September. Growing support for conservative and populist movements leads to a political and societal climate in which sexual and reproductive health and rights are marginalised if not criminalised.

Belgian MPs play game of ‘snakes and ladders’ on girls’ lack of opportunities

12/5/2017

Belgian MPs learn about the challenges for girls' health and rights playing Snakes & Ladders. Copyright: De Kamer

Thursday May 11th, Federal Parliament, Belgium. MPs played ‘snakes and ladders’, a life-size game on the health and rights of girls worldwide. The MPs were the pawns in the game and found themselves confronted with the obstacles girls in developing countries face.

There are about 1 billion girls in the world, many of which face discrimination and inequalities. Each year 16 million girls between 15 and 19 give birth. Complications related to pregnancies and delivery are the 2nd most important cause of death for girls in that age group. Every year 3 million girls run the risk of mutilation and every day 39,000 girls are subject to child or forced marriage.

The Parliamentarians for the 2030 Agenda want girls’ health and rights to be high on the political agenda. They call upon the Belgian development cooperation to continue focusing on this particular group.

Parliamentarians for the 2030 Agenda want girls' rights high on the political agenda. Copyright: De Kamer.

She Decides’ future discussed in Belgian parliament

4/5/2017

During a meeting with the ‘Parliamentarians for the 2030 Agenda’, an informal parliamentary group following up the gender, health and rights dimensions of the 2030 Agenda, Deputy Prime Minister De Croo discussed his plans for She Decides, the global fundraising initiative in support of sexual and reproductive health and rights.

She Decides visit to Benin and Senegal by Deputy Prime Minister

4/5/2017

Axelle Red, Deputy Prime Minister De Croo and Goede Liekens. Copyright: Goele Geeraert

As part of the She Decides-Initiative, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Development Cooperation, Alexander De Croo visited Benin and Senegal, partner countries of the Belgian Development Cooperation. In Benin, the Minister signed two programmes promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Increased Belgian support to UNFPA and IPPF

4/5/2017

Girl in Benin. Copyright: Goele Geeraert

During a She Decides visit to Benin and Senegal, the Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Development Cooperation, Alexander De Croo announced an increase of his support to the UNFPA and International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF).

US defunds largest UN provider of SRHR

5/4/2017

The Trump-Pence administration has decided to cease all support to the United Nations Population Fund UNFPA. In 2016 only US support to UNFPA helped to prevent 2.340 maternal deaths, 947.000 unplanned pregnancies and 295.000 unsafe abortions. It allowed an estimated 800.000 people to freely decide about their number of children. US support to UNFPA also reached no less than 9 million people in humanitarian emergencies and refugee camps, where the organization provides sexual and reproductive health services and tries to prevent genderbased violence.

In the picture: She Decides' launch, Brussels - March 2nd 2017

10/3/2017

‘Unsafe deliveries and fistula are the problems of the poor’

Minister De Croo: “We will promote She Decides worldwide”

Key take aways on access to quality medicines and reproductive health supplies

How to promote sexual health in times of populism?

Belgian MPs play game of ‘snakes and ladders’ on girls’ lack of opportunities

She Decides’ future discussed in Belgian parliament

She Decides visit to Benin and Senegal by Deputy Prime Minister

Increased Belgian support to UNFPA and IPPF

US defunds largest UN provider of SRHR

In the picture: She Decides' launch, Brussels - March 2nd 2017

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