Speaking of Haiti, the Feminist Peace Network recently discussed the unique, post-earthquake health needs of women there:
In Haiti, as is always true in the aftermath of a major disaster, in addition to the urgent need for what we traditionally consider the pillars of immediate aid - food, water, shelter, medical care - there are needs that are specific to women, particularly for pregnant women and mothers with new babies and the need to address the added vulnerability to violence that women face when government infrastructures are dysfunctional. According to the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (UN-INSTRAW) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA):
"(W)omen of reproductive age face limitations in accessing pre-natal and post-natal care, as well as greater risk of vaginal infections, pregnancy complications including spontaneous abortion, unplanned pregnancy, and post-traumatic stress. An increase in violence against women was also recorded"
The blog Our Bodies, Our Blog compiled a list yesterday of organizations specifically focused on Haitian women and girls. One such group is Partners in Health, which my colleague blogged about earlier today.
Photo by United Nations Development Programme
