Tag Archives: vaccine

Gender Equality in Chile, New Vaccine in Rwanda & More

Empowering Women in East Asia Means More than Economic Development

While East Asia has enjoyed a record of economic growth in recent years, the region still lacks in gender equality. A panel discussion at the World Economic Forum concluded that greater economic development alone is not enough to empower women. Instead, cultural changes are needed to help more men understand  the multiplier effect that occurs when women are educated and involved in the community. Read it here.

Gender Equality Still a Challenge in Chile

More than 60 percent of Chileans, both men and women, oppose the idea of gender equality according to a study by the United Nations Development Program. This view is reflected in the small number of Chilean women who get involved in politics, which is largely male dominated. Only 14 percent of Chile’s House of Deputies is female and 13 percent of the country’s Senate is female. The government is considering enacting a quota that would require a certain number of political seats be reserved for women. Read more here.

More Schoolgirls Poisoned in Afghanistan

For the second time in only a week, 160 schoolgirls were poisoned in Afghanistan. Girls at the Aahan Dara School, located in the Takhar province, complained of headaches, dizziness and vomiting before being taken to the hospital. It’s suspected their classrooms were sprayed with toxic material and the Taliban blamed for the incident. Just last week, more than 120 girls and three teachers were admitted to a hospital after drinking poisoned well water at school. Read it all here.

New Vaccine Gives Hope for Mothers in Rwanda

Each year 3,500 Rwandan children die of rotavirus diseases, which account for about 10 percent of all deaths for children under 5 years of age. Fortunately, mothers now have new hope for their children as the country is the latest in a growing number of African nations to receive the rotavirus vaccine, which is expected to help save thousands of lives. Read the details here.