News headlines in March 2019, page 13

MANILA, Mar 04 (IPS) - When Ariel Lazarte from Quezon City, Philippines, was first diagnosed with leprosy in 2014, his life seemed as if it were falling apart. But now more than four years later Lazarte's life is a huge contrast from the poverty and isolation he experienced as a person affected by leprosy.

RIO DE JANEIRO, Mar 04 (IPS) - This article is part of IPS's coverage of International Women's Day, celebrated on March 8.

Crime, a key issue in far-right President Jair Bolsonaro's election in Brazil, has a dimension that is gaining in visibility and could turn against his government: gender violence.

KINGSTOWN, Mar 04 (IPS) - In the tiny eastern Caribbean nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, proverbs relating to the weather are very common.

Everyone knows that "Who has cocoa outside must look out for rain", has nothing to do with the drying of the bean from which chocolate is made or the sudden downpours common in this tropical nation.

MANILA, Mar 03 (IPS) - Dr. Maria Francia Laxamana is the Assistant Secretary in the Philippines ministry of health. With nearly two decades of  work both as a senior government official and also as an expert in several non-government organisations, Laxamana has deep insight into the issue of leprosy in this Southeast Asian nation and the challenges faced by those who are affected by the disease.

MANILA, Mar 03 (IPS) - Dr Maria Francia Laxamana, assistant secretary of health in the Department of Health, Philippines outlines her recommendations for a leprosy country by 2020.

MANILA, Mar 03 (IPS) - Strengthening the participation of persons affected by leprosy, or SPP, has proven to be an effective strategy in reaching out to often isolated sufferers in local communities throughout Asia. A significant challenge to civil society organisations, however, is finding enough management talent to maintain and expand the programmes.

MANILA, Mar 03 (IPS) - Jennifer Quimno could put anyone at ease. So when she travels across the Philippines as part of peer to peer programme that helps identify new leprosy cases, people generally allow her to examine them.

MANILA, Mar 03 (IPS) - Growing up in Kathmandu, Nepal, Amar Bahadur Timalsina wasn't allowed to attend school as a young boy because he was affected by leprosy. But now, decades later, after treatment and being able to re-integrate into his community, Timalsina is proud to say that he is the principal of a school of 400 students.

BRIGDETOWN, Mar 03 (IPS) - Caribbean countries have been signalling their willingness to dedicate time and resources to implement and sustain effective multi-hazard early warning systems.

UNITED NATIONS, Mar 02 (IPS) - As the environment continues to degrade and natural resources deplete at unprecedented rates, spelling disastrous consequences for societies, a new tool aims to bring financial institutions into the fight to protect nature.