The effects of a 1984 accident at an insecticide factory in Bhopal, India, that pumped tons of toxic chemicals into the air still linger today, where children exhibit a range of side effects — from stunted development to severe diabetes to deafness. A court ruled that a claim seeking damages against the U.S. company Union Carbide Corp. could proceed.
More Children Sleep Under Malaria Nets, but Millions Still Do Not
The percentage of African children sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets has increased dramatically from 2% to 19% between 2000 and 2007, according to a study published in The Lancet. Free distribution of the nets has helped drive the change, but ongoing conflict, spotty distribution networks and large population numbers, the authors noted, leaves another 90 million children without.
Charlize Theron to aid UN helping battered women
Actress Charlize Theron is using her star power to attract attention to the plight of battered women and girls across the globe in her capacity as the newest UN Messenger of Peace. The UN reports that one in five women will be a victim of rape or attempted rape, and one in three women is likely to be beaten or abused.
Massive malaria vaccine trial to begin in Africa
Some 16,000 African children will be vaccinated against malaria as part of a major medical trial aimed at combating the mosquito-borne disease, which kills about 1 million people annually. Funded by GlaxoSmithKline PLC and the PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative, the vaccine is expected to be at least 30% effective against mild cases of the disease and and as much as 50% effective against severe cases of malaria.
Cultural sensitivity important for global population: UN report
The UN Population Fund called for international development agencies to focus on cultural politics in order to better understand the countries they are trying to help. “As development workers, we have to partner with forces of positive cultural change to protect human rights and human well-being,” according to the fund's annual State of the World Population Report.
Acid Attacks Keep Afghan Girls Away From Classes
Students at a Kandahar girls’ school stayed home a day after men on motorcycles squirted acid on 15 girls and teachers on their way to the school. The attacks, which left some of the victims with burns on their faces, are “contrary to previous assurances Afghans have been given that there would not be further attacks against schools or students,” the UN said. Not permitted under the Taliban regime, girls schools have been repeatedly attacked in recent months, according to UNICEF.