Women's autonomy over their bodies remains a challenge for half of all female partnerships, according to SOS Children's Villages on World Population Day (July 11). Emphasizing the importance of reinforcing the rights of girls and women.

Women's autonomy over their bodies remains a challenge for half of all female partnerships, according to SOS Children's Villages on World Population Day (July 11). Emphasizing the importance of reinforcing the rights of girls and women.

In conflict zones around the world, women and girls are disproportionately affected by the devastating impact of war. The ongoing war in Sudan is leading to widespread rapes and resulting unintended pregnancies, with UN estimates predicting that approximately seven million people will need assistance due to gender-based violence in 2024.

Elsewhere, in Ethiopia, many health facilities have been destroyed or closed due to the two-year civil war and ongoing tensions. This has left women in a precarious position, as Ethiopia has one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally, with 65% of maternal deaths occurring postnatally due to bleeding or infections.

In Gaza, around 700,000 women and girls of menstruating age face a menstrual hygiene crisis due to destroyed infrastructure and lack of hygiene products. The scarcity of water and soap in the region leads to urinary tract infections, increased susceptibility to sexually transmitted diseases, and long-term impairments of the reproductive organs.

Despite these challenges, organisations like SOS Children’s Villages are working tirelessly to promote women’s rights, access to healthcare, and reproductive health in conflict zones. Their work centres around protecting children without adequate parental care in emergency and conflict settings, providing urgent assistance, and safeguarding their rights to safety and development.

SOS Children’s Villages promotes women’s rights and healthcare access in conflict zones mainly through broader child protection, family strengthening, and emergency response programs that benefit women and girls indirectly, alongside empowering youth advocacy for safer environments. Direct reproductive health initiatives in these contexts are not explicitly detailed in the provided sources but may be part of their holistic emergency care approach.

In clinical centres operated by SOS Children's Villages, mothers and their children receive free medical care. Age-appropriate sex education is provided, and counseling services are offered on topics such as contraception or menstrual hygiene. In addition, SOS Children's Villages' programs offer literacy courses, vocational training, and microloans for starting small businesses to girls and women.

Boris Breyer, spokesperson for SOS Children's Villages, emphasises the importance of protecting and strengthening women's rights. He can be contacted at Tel.: 0160 - 984 723 45, E-Mail: [email protected], and website: www.sos-kinderdoerfer.de.

It is crucial to remember that approximately half of all pregnancies worldwide are unintended, and in conflict zones, this number is likely to be even higher. By supporting organisations like SOS Children’s Villages, we can help ensure that women and girls in conflict zones have access to the healthcare, education, and resources they need to protect their reproductive health and rights.

Science and health-and-wellness issues are significantly impacting women in conflict zones. For instance, the ongoing war in Sudan has led to widespread pregnancies resulting from rape, while in Ethiopia, the civil war has caused a steep rise in maternal mortality. In Gaza, women and girls face a menstrual hygiene crisis due to destroyed infrastructure and lack of resources. Yet, organisations like SOS Children’s Villages, through their various programs, work diligently to promote women's health, reproductive rights, and access to healthcare in these conflict zones. They offer direct reproductive health initiatives, age-appropriate sex education, and counseling services, alongside empowering youth advocacy and providing resources for livelihoods. It's essential to support these organisations to ensure women in conflict zones receive the healthcare, education, and resources they need, particularly focusing on unintended pregnancies and reproductive health.

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