VOA: Bacterium Targets HIV-Positive People – A deadly new intestinal disease has been popping up all over sub-Saharan Africa with one particular target: people infected with HIV who are not on treatment. (Joe DeCapua)
IPS: Reducing Poverty in South Africa by Cutting Time in Traffic – Cheap public transport is on the rise in South Africa in effort to reduce commuting costs and open up the range of work available to the country’s poorest. However, initial reports are saying that while there is a benefit, the system still does not truly reach the poorest of communities. (Gail Jennings)
BusinessWeek: Tanzania Appeals for More Help to Combat Maternal Deaths – With 23 women dying every day from birth-related complications, Tanzania remains one of the highest maternal death rates in the world due to a huge lack of doctors, nurses, drugs and equipment. While President Kikwete is aiming to reach at least 50,000 mothers and children by 2016 in a maternal health-program, money is still an issue. (Flavia Krause-Jackson)
IPP: Challenges facing millennium development goals – When it comes to gender disparity in the developing world, much of the problem can be rooted to one major factor: education. While education may be open to both boys and girls in many places, there still remains a huge ratio gap, ultimately leading to a vicious cycle of lower income levels for women, lack of representation in the government, and bias against women in courts.
Reuters: Insuring African farmers against climate catastrophe – Sudden changes in climate can mean life or death for some of the world’s poorest farmers, and there are often too few safety nets to help in their time of need. Previously, crop insurance has only been available to large farming companies in the region, but after a successful run in India and Tanzania, small farm crop insurance might be just what they need. (Carolyn Cohn)
