Women's Rights Essential to Improving Maternal Mortality

The U.N.'s plan to improve maternal health is lacking "the one element that will make it work. Human rights," according to blog post on Huffington Post. "Medical causes of maternal death -- hemorrhage, sepsis, hypertension, unsafe abortion, HIV and AIDS -- are inextricably linked to human rights. Each one of these instances can be prevented or treated by simply respecting women's human rights in health policies and delivery of services, and addressing systemic gender inequality." The piece also calls for addressing the anti-prostitution loyalty oath, which organizations must sign to receive U.S. funding, saying, "It strips women of their ability to protect themselves or their clients against HIV infection. By perpetuating stigma and discrimination against sex workers, it blocks their access to health care, including pre and postnatal care, and newborn and infant care" (Sippel, 6/15).

Back to other news for June 2010