Sierra Leone News: 52% of women have die of Ebola-UN women

Politics

United Nations Women in Sierra Leone has disclosed that 52% of infected women have died so far, with the Ebola Virus Disease since it was discovered in May this year. The UN Women representative, Mary Okumu recently made this disclosure during a press conference held at World Health Organization (WHO), said that the Ebola virus is affecting women as they are the first point of contact and caregiver of an Ebola-infected person. UN women is an entity of the United Nations dealing with Gender Equality and Empowerment of women and through their Gender Lens. She added that they have conducted a household survey to ascertain the number of women who have died and infected by the virus. She explained that, UN Women have engaged Traditional Leaders, Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), Sowei and Religious Leaders in the chiefdom level to educate them about precautionary measures noting that as the first point of contact, they are more at risk of contracting the virus because of their Traditional roles in their communities. She admonished that Soweis and TBAs, should discontinue their traditional activities until the Ebola virus is completely eradicated from the country. She also mentioned that UN women is supporting and working closely with frontline Agencies and Religious Council, and Traditional Leaders in enhancing the sensitization process, as she described the disease as deadly and contagious therefore the Government and the International Community should put measures in place to enhance women’s safety in the country. By Mariam Bah Friday August 22, 2014

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