In Iraq, a story of rape, shame and ‘honor killing’
A woman who was raped and impregnated by a high-ranking guard while held in prison in Iraq was shot dead by her brother. The brother reportedly killed his sister to spare himself and his family the shame of an unplanned pregnancy. Some in the prison sought to bring the guards responsible for the rape to account, but despite compelling evidence against them, no action was taken.
Without aid, Darfuris go hungry
Although the impact of the expulsion of 13 major international aid groups from Darfur has been severe and immediate, the situation is likely to become more dire as observers predict rebel groups are mounting for an attack. Pro-government militia figures reportedly have stolen food from displaced persons living at camps, while water pumps and other equipment have broken down. In the span of one week in early April, 10 people, including two children, reportedly died of diarrhea in Zamzam camp in northern Darfur, according to one aid organization, which requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the information.
Plan Tries to Lower Malaria Drug Cost
A public-private anti-malaria partnership managed by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis announced a $225 million program to help try to bring down the cost of malaria drugs to as little as 20 cents in a bid to give the world’s poor better access to life-savings treatment.
Saudis ‘to regulate’ child brides
Saudi Arabia authorities indicated they will begin monitoring the practice of underage marriages in the wake of international controversy regarding the marriage of an 8-year-old girl to a man of 60. The Justice Ministry indicated a desire to end the “arbitrary” way in which youngsters are married off but gave no indication it will seek to end the practice.
Health Workers Renew Fight Against Polio in Nigeria
Eradicating polio in Nigeria is proving to be a challenge as rumors spread in the country’s mosques the vaccine is part of a U.S.-led plot to sterilize Muslim children. NGOs leading vaccination efforts are using vaccines produced in the predominantly Muslim country of Indonesia as a way of allaying such concerns. But vaccination efforts suffer in Nigeria’s rickety health system, according to this report.
