Global Health Promotion

AIDS is the leading cause of death amongst adults in Zimbabwe and the major contributor to rising rates of infant, child and maternal mortality. About 9% of the population are HIV-positive and the number of orphans due to AIDS is projected to reach 600,000 by the year 2000. Around 90% of HIV transmission in Zimbabwe happens through heterosexual intercourse.

The English-speaking Caribbean consists of some fifteen countries, with a population of just over 6 million. The countries including Suriname are united under CARICOM, (the Caribbean Economic Community) and share a common education system. The area is characterised by low infant mortality rates (averaging less than 20/1000 live births) and high literacy rates (above 85% for many years)*.

The governments of South Asia designed the 1990's as the Decade of the Girl Child, in order to confront the extreme discrimination faced by girls in the region. A range of research studies undertaken by UNICEF and other agencies leading up to the Decade had documented the aspects and degrees of discrimination against girls in the region - with the most severe conditions in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan.