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For a special programme as part of the Â鶹ԼÅÄ’s 100 Women season - which shines a light on the lives of women around the world - Health Check speaks to the midwife Dr Comfort Momoh, a public health specialist and staunch campaigner against the practice of female genital mutilation. She currently runs the African Well Woman’s clinic at Guys and St Thomas’ hospital in London, which she founded in 1997 to help women who have been subjected to the procedure.

Maternity home Cuba
In Cuba, the health service is taking a strong preventative approach to pregnancy and childbirth. Family doctors assess every pregnant woman and if thought to be at risk, many of them are sent to places like Del Hogar Materno Infantil, a maternity home in the old city of Havana. For some women that means staying on a ward and being on bed rest for the final two or three months of their pregnancy. The Director of the home Dr Alexei Capote Rodriquez shows Claudia around.

Fake eyelashes Japan
Eyelashes are big business in Japan. You can buy yourself a fake pair at most boutiques, pharmacies and even vending machines, but the most involved procedure is having eyelash extensions, which involves individual lashes being glued on by beauticians. As more and more women get involved with this craze, the Japanese health ministry is growing increasingly concerned about the rising number of resulting eye infections and injuries. The Â鶹ԼÅÄ’s Mariko Oi reports from Tokyo.

(Picture: Comfort Momoh. Credit: Â鶹ԼÅÄ)