First Person: Southern Madagascar, where girls are sold into marriage before they are born

First Person: Southern Madagascar, where girls are sold into marriage before they are born

The arranged marriage typically involves the exchange of a highly prized and culturally important Zebu cow for teenage girls as young as 13 years old. Now two UN agencies UNICEF and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) are working together with the local authorities to educate women and also men, through sessions focusing on positive masculinity,…

Read More
First Person: Supporting mental health in Madagascar, one consultation at a time

First Person: Supporting mental health in Madagascar, one consultation at a time

Henrielle Emasignavy works for WHO in Ambovombe, where the Androy Regional Referral Hospital is based. She spoke about the care that is being provided to people who are struggling with mental health crises. WHO’s Henrielle Emasignavy at the Androy Regional Referral Hospital. “In Ambovombe town, we are seeing a number of mental health conditions, including…

Read More
First Person: Trauma, stress and sadness take root in Gaza

First Person: Trauma, stress and sadness take root in Gaza

Mr. Elder met with children and their families in Gaza, during the humanitarian pause in fighting, which was called after weeks of intense shelling and bombardment that killed and injured thousands and displaced 1.7 million Palestinians. The conflict erupted on 7 October, when Hamas attacked Israel, killed over 1,200 people and captured more than 200 hostages….

Read More