Sophie Cousins is a global health writer based in South Asia. Her stories have appeared in The Lancet, Nature, The Guardian, The BMJ and others. https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/contributor/sophie-cousins/rss en Noncommunicable Diseases Overweight and Obesity Fri, 26 Jan 2018 13:10:00 +0000 Andrew Green, Sophie Cousins https://www.newsdeeply.com/malnutrition/articles/2018/01/26/taxing-the-world-out-of-obesity https://www.newsdeeply.com/malnutrition/articles/2018/01/26/taxing-the-world-out-of-obesity Taxes on sugary beverages have become a popular approach for countries looking to reduce overweight and obesity. But it is a problem that will require more than one solution. Health Reproductive Rights Mon, 11 Dec 2017 12:07:33 +0000 Sophie Cousins https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/12/11/sri-lankan-women-too-scared-to-seek-legal-post-abortion-care https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/12/11/sri-lankan-women-too-scared-to-seek-legal-post-abortion-care Abortion is illegal in almost all cases in Sri Lanka, but it’s perfectly legal for women to seek help after complications from backstreet abortions. Still, the fear of stigma and discrimination prevents many from coming forward. Health Politics and Policy Fri, 11 Aug 2017 09:12:21 +0000 Sophie Cousins https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/08/11/nepals-menstrual-shed-ban-the-hard-work-starts-now-activists-say https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/08/11/nepals-menstrual-shed-ban-the-hard-work-starts-now-activists-say Nepal has banned the practice of banishing menstruating women and girls to sheds. Activists have welcomed the new law, but say there is more work to be done to change people’s minds about the tradition, which has led to a number of deaths in recent years. Health Reproductive Rights Wed, 26 Jul 2017 06:24:39 +0000 Sophie Cousins https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/07/26/injections-and-implants-could-revolutionize-hiv-prevention-for-women https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/07/26/injections-and-implants-could-revolutionize-hiv-prevention-for-women Today, medication to prevent HIV takes the form of a daily pill, which is not convenient for everyone. However, new tools such as injections and implants are currently in development – and the first tests look promising. Education Health Solutions Mon, 08 May 2017 12:16:48 +0000 Sophie Cousins https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/05/08/breaking-the-cycle-of-human-trafficking-in-india-with-education https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/05/08/breaking-the-cycle-of-human-trafficking-in-india-with-education The effects of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s banknote ban on India’s informal economy – from sex trafficking to corruption – are not yet clear, but in Old Delhi, one woman is breaking the cycle of forced sex work with education instead. Health Thu, 23 Mar 2017 11:51:20 +0000 Sophie Cousins https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/03/23/women-survivors-tb-speak-stigma-india https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/03/23/women-survivors-tb-speak-stigma-india In India, women who suffer from tuberculosis often face discrimination and social isolation – something that doesn’t happen to men with the disease. Ahead of World TB Day on March 24, female TB survivors are breaking their silence in the hopes of changing attitudes toward the illness. Health Wed, 09 Nov 2016 14:15:13 +0000 Sophie Cousins https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/11/09/back-brink-young-tb-survivor-turns-advocate-south-africa https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/11/09/back-brink-young-tb-survivor-turns-advocate-south-africa Phumeza Tisile was 19 when she was diagnosed with a deadly, drug-resistant form of TB. Her experience of treatment and eventual survival turned her into an activist fighting for better access to treatment for others who face the same fate. Education Reproductive Rights Thu, 06 Oct 2016 13:35:33 +0000 Sophie Cousins https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/10/06/nepals-telephone-counselors-offer-life-saving-sexual-health-advice https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/10/06/nepals-telephone-counselors-offer-life-saving-sexual-health-advice As counselors for the Meri Saathi helpline, midwife Hima Mishra and her team field hundreds of calls a day from people with questions about sex, pregnancy and abortion, helping to shed light on reproductive health rights in Nepal. Health Solutions Mon, 01 Aug 2016 12:24:23 +0000 Sophie Cousins https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/08/01/for-young-south-africans-a-pill-a-day-to-keep-hiv-away https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/08/01/for-young-south-africans-a-pill-a-day-to-keep-hiv-away In sub-Saharan Africa, girls and young women account for 71 percent of new HIV infections among adolescents. South African officials hope more access to pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, will help, but experts say stigma and lack of education could doom those efforts. Health Reproductive Rights Mon, 11 Jul 2016 11:12:17 +0000 Sophie Cousins https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/07/11/myanmar-to-offer-women-free-birth-control https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2016/07/11/myanmar-to-offer-women-free-birth-control At around 200 deaths per 100,000 live births, Myanmar has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the region. As part of its plan to bring down those numbers, the government is giving women long-term contraception for free.