Maternal

A woman poses with her small children in Kaliab Valley, Tajikistan

Maternal mortality in Eastern Europe, Central Asia halved but still high – UN report

12 November 2009
The number of women in Eastern Europe and Central Asia dying from complications in childbirth and pregnancy has been slashed by more than half over the last 10 years, participants at a high-level United Nations gathering in Istanbul heard today.
A UNFPA-supported reproductive health clinic in Hato Chamí, Western Panama

UN and World Bank voice concerns about funding for family planning

1 July 2009
Family planning and other reproductive health services for women have fallen off the development radar of many poor countries, donors and aid agencies, according to the United Nations and the World Bank, which are warning of the impact this will have on already high maternal mortality rates.
Midwives being trained in Afghanistan

Afghanistan: maternal health factors improve, but high death rate continues – UN report

26 January 2009
Despite a sharp increase in the number of midwives, health facilities, female health workers and educated girls in Afghanistan, the strife-beset country still has the world’s second highest maternal mortality rate, United Nations officials said today.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Financial crisis must not diminish support to improve women’s lives, urges Ban

8 October 2008
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has stressed the importance of continued support for the efforts of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to empower the world’s women, particularly to improve maternal health and promote gender equality, even in the midst of the economic woes countries are currently facing.
Young mother in Baran Hospital, Rajasthan, India (file photo)

UNICEF highlights new tool to analyze high maternal mortality rates in India

7 October 2008
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is spotlighting the introduction of a new tool in India that is designed to help health-care experts, policymakers and local communities across the country understand the root causes of its high rates of maternal mortality.
A midwife examines a pregnant woman at a clinic

Nearly all maternal deaths occur in developing countries, UNICEF report finds

19 September 2008
Over 500,000 women die unnecessarily every year due to complications from pregnancy and childbirth, with 99 per cent of those deaths occurring in developing countries, according to a new report released today by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Investing in midwives crucial to improving maternal health, stresses UN official

5 May 2008
Paying tribute to the work of midwives in saving the lives of women around the world, the head of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has called for greater investments to train these critical health workers and get them into the communities that need them.
A midwife examines a pregnant woman at a clinic

UN appeals for nearly $500 million to slash maternal deaths in 75 nations

14 February 2008
With a women dying every minute due to pregnancy or childbirth complications, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) today appealed for nearly half a billion dollars to save the lives of millions of women in 75 countries.

Migiro calls for greater investment to prevent maternal deaths

18 October 2007
With one woman dying every single minute from complications during pregnancy or childbirth, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro today urged greater investment to improve women’s health, including reducing maternal deaths.

Maternal mortality the focus of UN-led South Asian forum on development goals

11 October 2006
Improving maternal health and reducing child mortality were high on the agenda as more than 100 experts from across South Asia gathered today in the Nepalese capital for the start of a two-day forum organized by the United Nations and other groups on achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).