Katherina (Kate) Thomas writes about global issues, with a focus on Africa. https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/contributor/katherina-thomas/rss en Politics and Policy Tue, 10 Oct 2017 09:16:03 +0000 Katherina Thomas https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/10/10/as-liberia-bids-farewell-to-johnson-sirleaf-womens-rights-lag-behind https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/10/10/as-liberia-bids-farewell-to-johnson-sirleaf-womens-rights-lag-behind Liberians will vote today to elect Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s successor. But progress on women’s political representation has been slow under the country’s first female president, and justice remains elusive for women who have suffered sexual violence. Health Reproductive Rights Fri, 21 Apr 2017 05:00:31 +0000 Katherina Thomas https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/04/21/spoiling-the-belly-the-dangers-of-backstreet-abortions-in-liberia https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/04/21/spoiling-the-belly-the-dangers-of-backstreet-abortions-in-liberia Women are dying from botched backstreet abortions in Liberia, a country where access to terminations is severely restricted. Because of the stigma associated with abortion, they often refrain from seeking out medical help until it’s too late. Health Fri, 31 Mar 2017 13:20:17 +0000 Katherina Thomas https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/03/31/three-years-ebola-hope-struggle-women-liberia https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/03/31/three-years-ebola-hope-struggle-women-liberia Three years after the World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak emergency in March 2014, how have women’s lives changed? We reconnect with four Liberian women affected by the virus. Heroes Tue, 28 Mar 2017 13:01:13 +0000 Katherina Thomas https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/03/28/liberian-marathon-runner-racing-past-prejudice https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/03/28/liberian-marathon-runner-racing-past-prejudice She’s one of Liberia’s best marathon runners, but Joy Kollie still has to power through discrimination against female athletes, unfounded rumors of Ebola, and a lack of sponsorship opportunities. Health Reproductive Rights Mon, 25 Jul 2016 14:04:31 +0000 Katherina Thomas https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/07/25/a-tough-start-to-liberias-hpv-vaccine-program https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/07/25/a-tough-start-to-liberias-hpv-vaccine-program Developing countries could count for more than 95 percent of cervical cancer deaths by 2035. In Liberia, a pilot HPV vaccination program aims to cut that number – but first has to overcome mistrust, misinformation and a dire lack of resources. Health Solutions Tue, 28 Jun 2016 11:06:59 +0000 Katherina Thomas https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/06/28/after-ebola-volunteers-turn-to-maternal-mortality https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/06/28/after-ebola-volunteers-turn-to-maternal-mortality Liberia’s Ebola outbreak exposed huge gaps in wider health communication and education issues, particularly in rural communities. Health workers are now helping fill these gaps, sharing information about maternal and reproductive health. Crisis and Conflict Health Mon, 23 May 2016 03:05:40 +0000 Katherina Thomas https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/05/23/liberia-how-ebola-changed-three-womens-lives https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/05/23/liberia-how-ebola-changed-three-womens-lives The Ebola outbreak in West Africa infected more than 28,600 people and killed at least 11,315. After the World Health Organization said Ebola is no longer an emergency of international concern, Kate Thomas asked three Liberian women how the crisis impacted their lives.