In direct response to the tireless efforts of women’s health advocates all around the globe, we are making some strides towards ensuring healthier outcomes for the world’s women.

But much work remains to be done. Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5 has aimed to reduce the maternal mortality ratio by three quarters between the years 2000 and 2015. The rate of maternal deaths has been reduced by 2.3% per year since 1990, but now needs to be reduced by 5.5% for each of the next five years in order to meet this goal.

In order to continue the trend of decreased maternal deaths at the rate necessary to achieve MDG 5, women must have access to a comprehensive range of services, including contraception, maternity care, safe abortion, and diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS, along with comprehensive sexuality education and protection of their human rights.

For more information:

• Read the New York Times and the Lancet pieces, published back in April, about the new findings.
• Download the “Trends in Maternal Mortality” 21 page PDF here.
• Read IWHC’s Factsheet, Five Sexual and Reproductive Health Services that Will Make Pregnancy Safer for All.
• Watch a video featuring IWHC policy consultant Jennifer Redner discussing solutions to the maternal health crisis.