Around The World In 5
"Around the World In 5" is a recurring weekly series spotlighting news concerning women across five different countries. This week's edition spans April 29 to May 5.
Global
In mid-April, Merck, the pharmaceutical company, announced a setback in the delivery of millions of doses of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine due to a production issue. Merck, under contract with Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, was expected to supply 29.6 million doses of this critical vaccine to eligible countries.
However, due to the malfunction, only 18.8 million doses will be delivered, leaving over ten million girls without access to the vaccine. Unfortunately, approximately 1.5 million of these girls may no longer qualify for vaccination by the time the delayed doses arrive in 2025.
Nigeria
Sightsavers, a non-governmental organization, has announced its commitment to supporting 2,800 persons with disabilities through financial inclusion and business education initiatives.
Rasak Adekoya, the technical advisor for economic empowerment at Sightsavers Nigeria, shared this during a press briefing on Thursday in Lagos, coinciding with the launch of the Strengthening Access to Business Education and Inclusion (SABI) woman project.
The SABI project aims to enhance employability and entrepreneurship among young women aged 18-24 with disabilities, while also building capacities for young girls aged 13-17 who have disabilities.
Iraq
Iraq’s parliament has passed a law criminalising same-sex relationships with a maximum 15-year prison sentence, in a move it said aimed to uphold religious values, but was condemned by rights advocates as the latest attack on the LGBTQ community in Iraq.
The law imposes imprisonment for one to three years on individuals who undergo gender-affirming treatment based on personal desire or inclination, on medical care teams who provide such treatment, and on non-binary or gender-fluid individuals
Ukraine
Ukraine is set to provided reparation payments to survivors of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) amid ongoing conflict. The country aims to identify and support up to five hundred survivors, offering compensation for financial, physical, and psychological needs.
The Global Survivors Fund, in collaboration with Ukraine, is facilitating this effort, highlighting the challenge of verifying survivor figures due to underreporting amidst the harrowing experiences endured by thousands of Ukrainians at the hands of Russian soldiers.
Australia
With the alarming rise in the number of women killed by men this year—more than double compared to last year—and one in four women reporting violence from intimate partners or family members, the Australian government has convened the National Cabinet to formulate tangible strategies.
Notably, significant investment will be made in the Leaving Violence Program, earmarking millions to provide crucial support, including up to $5,000 for women seeking to exit violent relationships.