Maternal health

Two women die every minute from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth.

Tragically each one of these women represents a mother, wife, daughter, or sister. Each maternal death has profound consequences not only on her immediate family, but also for the wider community as a whole.

The death of a mother has a direct impact on the health and survival of her children. As the primary providers of food and medicine, women have an integral role in ensuring that families are well nourished and cared for. Poor maternal health not only prevents women from being active members of their households and community, but also from contributing to the economy.

While most other developing country health indicators have improved in recent decades, progress has been slow in this area. Only 56% of deliveries in developing countries are assisted by a skilled birth attendant. Lack of family planning advice and restricted access to contraception mean that women cannot plan and space their pregnancies. Those who have frequent pregnancies can become weakened and anaemic which puts their own and their babies’ health at risk.

Women can better plan their pregnancies if they have access to family planning information and services. But, a significant “unmet need” for contraceptives still persists. Experts estimate that preventing unintended pregnancies would reduce maternal deaths by 20% in developing countries.

We believe that every woman has the right to good sexual reproductive health and is working across the world help ensure this. Information and services provided include: family planning; obstetric care; ante- and post-natal care; and the training of birth attendants.

Millions of women in the developing world are denied access to family planning services and sexual reproductive healthcare. Your support will help us change this.