Manila, 30 May 2011 - Marikina Rep. Marcelino Teodoro, author of Bill 4480, said the recruitment and use of children in armed conflicts would be prohibited under the measure. “The bill seeks the prosecution of those responsible for child rights violations in these conflicts. Children have to be provided relief, protection and rehabilitation in such situations,” he said.He said prohibited acts include killing, torture, intentional or casual maiming, rape, abduction, using children as human shield, and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment of children.Also prohibited is the recruitment of children by the military, the police and other armed groups.Teodoro said the bill bans ...

London, 5 May 2011 - Where is the most dangerous place for a woman to give birth? No one can say for sure but the far northeastern corner of Afghanistan seems a likely bet. It’s well known that Afghanistan is the riskiest country to be an expectant mother - one in 11 women will die giving birth. But in Badakhshan province maternal mortality rates are several times higher than the national average. Now one aid agency wants to find out why. Health charity Merlin is exploring whether one factor could be a vitamin D deficiency, partly due to women living in purdah – largely confined to their home and heavily veiled if they go out. A striking feature about the sky-high maternal mort...

Kabul,  Afghanistan 23 March 2011) — Save the Children joined local officials, teachers, and students to celebrate World Water Day on March 22 to promote good health and hygiene at a high school in Mirbachakot District in Kabul Province.The World Water Day promotion is part of Save the Children's school health and nutrition programs to help children stay healthy so they can stay in school and learn. The programs provide children with access to safe and child-friendly water, sanitation and hygiene facilities and education on subjects like proper hand-washing with soap to prevent diarrhea.Proper Hygiene, Access to Clean Drinking Water Reduce Diarrhea-Related IllnessesSpeakers at the sch...

Japan, 14 March 2011 - Save the Children warns that up to 100,000 children have been displaced because of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Stephen McDonald who is leading Save the Children's response said: "We are extremely anxious that up to 100,000 children have been displaced because of last Friday's earthquake and tsunami. Their homes may have been destroyed and many of them will be sheltering in crowded evacuation centres. We can only imagine how frightening the experience of the last few days will have been for them. "There is also a risk that some of them will have become separated from their parents and family members because of the disaster. It is important we provide s...