IPS News
To 2015: Progress in Achieving the MDGs - INTER PRESS SERVICE
We are two-thirds of the way to achieving the Millennium Development Goals - in terms of time, not by way of meeting the target. Achievements are failing widely in the march to the 2015 targets agreed by world leaders in 2000. But there are successes too, and five years still to go over which speeded up efforts can go a long way to fighting poverty and to promoting health and education -- aims that are at the heart of the eight MDGs. IPS here reports on the progress and the shortfalls on way to those goals.

MADAGASCAR: Women Form Own Political Parties for Fair Representation
Brigitte Rasamoelina and Yvette Sylla are women with two different approaches to politics in Madagascar. One formed a political party, while the other decided to legalise her organisation as an association. But both women are considering running in Madagascar's November elections.
U.N. Declares Water and Sanitation a Basic Human Right
When the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) back in December 1948, 58 member states voted for a historic document covering political, economic, social and cultural rights.
SIERRA LEONE: Defining New Role for Traditional Birth Attendants
Posseh Sesay will never be able to bear children again following a tragic birthing experience at the hands of her village traditional birth attendant (TBA).
Q&A: "NGOs Are Here to Stay"
InterAction is the largest alliance of U.S.-based NGOs, with over 190 members. Its head, Sam Worthington, spoke recently with IPS about the role of NGOs in Haiti, the U.S. and throughout the world.
URUGUAY: Millennium Goal on Maternal Health in Sight
Uruguay is on the point of reaching the Millennium Development Goal for reducing the maternal mortality ratio, but it is still behind in other aspects of maternal health, like providing integrated sexual and reproductive health care, fighting syphilis and checking on mothers and babies during the postpartum period.
KENYA: Jury Still Out on Traditional Birth Attendants
The government of Kenya has been encouraging women to deliver in hospital. Home deliveries by traditional birth attendants are considered to be a major contributor to maternal deaths.
ZIMBABWE: 'Free' Maternal Health Care Too Costly For Most
As African Union heads of state consider child and maternal health at the 2010 summit in Kampala, Uganda, the perennial question of user fees has reared its head in Zimbabwe. Fees for services are opening a growing gap between policy and implementation in maternal health care in the Southern African country.
Lack of Funds Hampers Global Fight Against AIDS
The global conference on AIDS in Vienna last week will be remembered for "Broken Promises Kill", a slogan echoed by a coalition of activists who had gathered from around the world.
ECONOMY: Latin America Grows Despite Global Uncertainties
More fixed capital investment to improve competition, greater added value to exported goods and services, and tax reforms to finance social policies are some of the challenges Latin America and the Caribbean face in the uncertain global economic panorama.
SWAZILAND: HIV - Long Distances Place Expectant Mothers at Risk
Affectionately known as Gogo Zondo by the community of Ndvwabangeni in northern Swaziland, Margaret Zondo is a traditional health practitioner who helps treat the sick and delivers babies.
Sustainable Aquaculture Picks Up Steam
As farmed fish consumption catches up on wild, a search for sustainable aquaculture picks up steam.
BRAZIL: Football Paves the Way to Masculinity Without Violence
It's Friday night, and in a "favela" (shanty town) in this Brazilian city, a group of men relax with a beer after a hard week, while a song can be heard above the rowdy chatter.
CHINA-NIGERIA: New Refinery Planned for Lagos Free Trade Zone
Nigeria is a place where many more deals are announced than are ever completed. But July saw progress towards the construction of one of three new Nigerian refineries expected to reduce imports of refined petroleum products, a costly and ironic feature of the oil-rich nation's economy.
China: Outsmarting the West in Africa
China's interest in Africa is frequently portrayed simply as that of a rising economic power seeking natural resources. Deborah Brautigam argues that this portrayal misses the full complexity of business relations between China and the continent.
HEALTH: To Fight AIDS, Fight Gender Inequality
Under the banner that gender inequality is one of the main drivers of the spread of AIDS, women from around the world are uniting to demand a stop to the epidemic among all females -- whether adults or girls.