The U.S. Navy has lifted the ban on women serving on submarines. Congress was notified of the military's plan to lift the ban in mid-February, and Congress had until yesterday to challenge the decision. Congress did not challenge it. In the past, the Navy banned women from serving on submarines because they said it would cost too much. In preparation for the new policy, the Navy will phase in women by allowing them to begin serving on submarines that will not require costly alterations to accommodate women. The Navy will start by assigning three female officers each onto eight different crews of guided-missile attack submarines and ballistic missile submarines. There is more living space available aboard these submarines, so it won't require much modification -- allowing the Navy to include women faster on submarines. The female officers will be assigned once they complete the 15-month training for submarine officers. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said, "Enabling them to serve in the submarine community is best for the submarine force and our Navy. We literally could not run the Navy without women today." Women make up 15% of the active duty Navy. The commander of the submarine forces said, "Today, women earn about half of all science and engineering bachelor's degrees. There are capable women who have the interest, talent, and desire to succeed in the submarine force. Maintaining the best submarine force in the world requires us to recruit from the largest possible talent pool." (Full Story)
Sierra Leone has launched a free health care plan for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children under five years old. The country has some of the highest maternal and child death rates in the world. One reason for this is that not everyone can afford the health service fees and the cost of medication. The free health care program is expected to save the lives of more than one million mothers and children, at an initial cost of $19 million.
However, there are concerns that Sierra Leone lacks the resources and infrastructure to carry out this plan. Sierra Leone is one of the poorest countries in the world, and they're still rebuilding the country after a decade of civil war that ended in 2002. The country has bad roads and a lack of ambulances, which means pregnant women in the more isolated parts of the country are often slow to receive care. Regardless, efforts are still being made to launch this plan. A UN Population Fund representative reported that medical equipment has been ordered and some drugs have been distributed around the country. However, she said that everything is still not in place for the launch of the plan. She said, "It's not perfect, it's not 100%. But I think we cannot start the program with everything in a perfect condition."
The programs main donors are the UN and the UK. They have helped refurbish hospitals, supplied drugs, and paid health workers' wages. In March public health workers went on a two-week-long strike because they were concerned that free care would result in more patients and longer work hours. The strike ended when the government agreed to increase salaries by 200% to 500%. Another concern about the program is how will the free health care program be paid for once the donor support runs out. (Full Story)
The UN agency for refugees (UN Relief and Works Agency) began distributing 2,100 laptops to school children in the Gaza Strip. They hope to distribute 500,000 laptops to children in Gaza by 2012. The laptops are loaded with textbooks and teaching aids that cover primary school curriculum. The rugged, energy-efficient laptops are made by One Laptop Per Child, a non-profit organization that aims to give a computer to every child in the developing world. One Laptop Per Child believes that computers are a good way to improve the education of children that live in poverty and/or live in a place disrupted by violence. The founder of the organization said, "With the XO the children can continue to stay connected and gain the skills and knowledge required to participate fully and thrive in the 21st century -- even when getting to school is impossible." (Full Story)
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