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Monday, July 28, 2014
Journalism and Communication for Global Change
Health
Outlawing Polygamy to Combat Gender Inequalities, Domestic Violence in Papua New Guinea
New legislation recently passed in the southwest Pacific Island state of Papua New Guinea (PNG) outlawing polygamy has been welcomed by experts in the country as an initial step forward in the battle against high rates of domestic violence, gender inequality and the spread of AIDS.
Drought and Misuse Behind Lebanon’s Water Scarcity
In front of Osman Bin Affan Mosque, in a central but narrow street of Beirut, several tank trucks are being filled with large amounts of water. The mosque has its own well, which allows it to pump water directly from the aquifers that cross the Lebanese underground. Once filled, the trucks will start going through the city to supply hundreds of homes and shops.
A Carrot Is a Carrot – or Is It?
Food security is often thought of as a question of diversifying supply and being able to move food through areas plagued by local scarcity, relying on the global economic system – including trade and transport – as the basis for operations.
AIDS Conference Mourns the Dead, Debates Setbacks
The 20th International AIDS Conference concluded today as the first in its history that remembered not just the 39 million people worldwide who have died of AIDS but also those who lost their lives in the crashed MH17 flight carrying six of its delegates, one of whom was the past president of the International AIDS Society (IAS).
Human Development Report Finds South Asia’s Poor on a Knife’s Edge
Millions still live in poverty and even those who have gained the security of the middle-income bracket could relapse into poverty due to sudden changes to their economic fortunes in South Asia, the latest annual Human Development Report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) revealed.
OPINION: Tackling Human Vulnerabilities, Changing Investment, Policies and Social Norms
As successive Human Development Reports have shown, most people in most countries are doing better in human development. Globalisation, advances in technology and higher incomes all hold promise for longer, healthier, more secure lives.
‘Zero Tolerance’ the Call for Child Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation
Heightening their campaign to eradicate violence against women and girls, United Nations agencies and civil groups have called for increased action to end child marriage and female genital mutilation.
For Nepal’s Dalits, Struggle Continues Amidst Slow Progress
With over 41 percent of Nepal's three million Dalits living below the poverty line, and over 90 percent classified as 'landless', the country must reassess its progress on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) vis-a-vis its most vulnerable populations.
Gaza Under Fire – a Humanitarian Disaster
As a result of over two weeks of Israeli bombardment, thousands of Palestinian civilians have fled their homes in the north of Gaza and sought refuge in schools run by the UNRWA, the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees.
Stunting: The Cruel Curse of Malnutrition in Nepal
Durga Ghimire had her first child at the age of 18 and the second at 21. As a young mother, Durga didn’t really understand the importance of taking care of her own health during pregnancy.
Creating a Slum Within a Slum
At the eastern edge of Nairobi's Kibera slum, children gather with large yellow jerry cans to collect water dripping out of an exposed pipe. The high-rise grey and beige Soweto East settlement towers above them. A girl lifts the can on top of her head and returns to her family's third floor apartment.
Indigenous Communities Say Education, Funding Key to Fighting HIV/AIDS
Marama Pala, hailing from Waikanae on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand, was diagnosed with HIV at 22. The news of her diagnosis spread like wildfire in her tight-knit Maori community.
Refugees Living a Nightmare in Northern Pakistan
Some fled on foot, others boarded trucks along with luggage, rations and cattle. Many were separated from families, or collapsed from exhaustion along the way. They don’t know where their next meal will come from, or how they will provide for their children.
Malnutrition Hits Syrians Hard as UN Authorises Cross-Border Access
Gaunt, haggard Syrian children begging and selling gum have become a fixture in streets of the Lebanese capital; having fled the ongoing conflict, they continue to be stalked by its effects.Do Not GM My Food!
Attempts to genetically modify food staples, such as crops and cattle, to increase their nutritional value and overall performance have prompted world-wide criticism by environmental, nutritionists and agriculture experts, who say that protecting and fomenting biodiversity is a far better solution to hunger and malnutrition.Next Page »
A rising world population, demographic shifts and the inherent cross-border nature of communicable disease -fueled by growing mobility and trade- have called for informed, comprehensive and global responses to health challenges in rich and poor countries. Medical advancements have enabled strides in the fight against deadly diseases like cancer, AIDS and TB in recent decades, while awareness campaigns have eased suffering by changing social attitudes on issues ranging from vaccination to mental health. All the while, the popular perception of health work has evolved from one heavily focused on treatment and medication to a more inclusive approach that incorporates prevention, nutrition, housing and global food production processes. IPS Health covers the ongoing challenges and innovation with a special eye on the role of poor and marginalized communities.
