Maternal mortality

Published 1/11/2010 | Updated 1/3/2011

Comment | 1 comment
Pregnant woman

Every day 1000 women dies of pregnancy related causes. That makes 358 000 women per year. 99 percent of the maternal mortality cases worldwide only affect women in developing countries. Moreover, 1 out of 26 women in Africa die from pregnancy related complications. In Sweden the risk is less than 1 in 17,400. The UN has declared family planning a human right. Goal 5 of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) aims to reduce maternal mortality by 75 percent by the year 2015. Yet, several studies show that goal 5 is showing the least progress out of the 8 Millennium Goals. Only one fourth of developing countries are on their way toward reaching this goal.

Since 2008, RFSU has been running a broad campaign to reduce maternal mortality with a focus on how the lack of safe abortions is a contributing factor to maternal mortality. The aim of the campaign is to increase the general publics’ knowledge and commitment related to the reduction of maternal mortality and the right to safe abortions. Moreover, RFSU strives to put pressure on politicians and decision makers to change legislation and provide more resources for the education of healthcare workers in methods of safe abortions, and medical abortions as well as healthcare after complications caused by childbirth. The campaign is also a concrete way of raising awareness about RFSU’s international work and of demonstrating the importance of working with SRHR issues and human rights in developing countries.

Image: gregoryjameswalsh/flickr /CC BY-SA 2.0

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Martenal health failure in Kenya
There is much misdeeds and omissions in the maternal health implementation here in Kenya.We believe there is means how the private sector can compliment the government;this has been done but the tasks are overwhelming.This is calling for more consented efforts from various stakeholders.

My interest is how we can work together to forge a strong youth front to address the maternal health issues among the young women in the rural areas.

Said: Raphael Wanjaria Njararuhi 8/9/2010 2:43:21 PM

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SRHR in 2 minutes

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Everyone is entitled to a satisfying and safe sex life. We all have the right to decide if, when and with whom we have sex, as well as if, when and with whom we have children. Those are some of the foundations in the work for sexual and reproductive health and rights – SRHR. Here are a few others:

 

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Women should not have to die due to pregnancy.

 

Everyone should have access to contraceptives.

 

Everyone is entitled to choose for themselves whether they want to marry, and with whom.

 

Abortions should be legal, accessible and safe.

 

LGBT people should be able to live their lives as they choose, free from discrimination.

 

Mothers and infants should be given adequate health care.

 

Sexual violence must stop.

 

Young people should be provided with quality sexuality education at school.

 

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