African women are 130 times more likely to die due to pregnancy or childbirth complications than women in Europe and Northern America, the UN sexual and reproductive health agency (UNFPA) said in a new report published on Wednesday.
Interwoven Lives, Threads of Hope: Ending inequalities in sexual and reproductive health and rights, reveals that more than half of all preventable maternal deaths occur in countries which are in a state of crisis or distress.
It highlights the role that racism, sexism and other forms of discrimination play in blocking progress on sexual and reproductive health issues.
Women and girls trapped in poverty are more likely to die prematurely due to lack of sufficient healthcare if they belong to minority groups or are trapped in a conflict setting, according to the findings.
Overall, there have been significant advances in sexual and reproductive health it became a global sustainable development priority three decades ago.
“In the space of a generation, we have reduced the unintended pregnancy rate by nearly one fifth, lowered the maternal death rate by one third, and secured laws against domestic violence in more than 160 countries,” UNFPA Executive Director Natalia Kanem said, launching the report.
Stalled progress
But progress is slowing down or stalled in several key areas. In a world where a quarter of women cannot say no to sex with their partner and nearly one in 10 have no say over contraception, 800 women die every day giving birth – a disturbing figure that has remained unchanged since 2016.
Nearly 500 of those preventable deaths per day are happening in countries living through humanitarian crises and conflicts.
“The world made zero progress in saving women from preventable deaths in pregnancy and childbirth,” said Ms. Kanem, adding that for the first time, data was collected on whether women’s bodily autonomy is strengthening over time.
In 40 per cent of countries where information is available, autonomy is weakening due to an inability to reach “those furthest behind”, she added.
There is a clear disparity between the global North and South, West and East, when it comes to contraceptives, safe birth services, respectful maternity care, and other essential services, the report documents.
Pockets of inequality
Yet, even within those regions there are “pockets of inequality”, the report underscores. Women of African descent in the Americas face higher maternal mortality rates compared to white women, which is especially evident in the United States where it’s three times the national average.
Indigenous and ethnic minorities also face elevated risks related to pregnancy and childbirth.
Within Europe, in Albania, for example, over 90 per cent of Roma women from the most marginalized socioeconomic groups had serious problems in accessing healthcare compared with only five per cent of ethnic Albanian women from the most privileged strata.
Additionally, women with disabilities are up to ten times more likely to experience gender-based violence, and individuals of diverse sexual orientation and gender expression encounter significant violence and barriers to care.
No ‘one-size-fits-all’ solutions
The report highlights the importance of tailoring programmes to the needs of communities and empowering women and girls to craft and implement innovative solutions.
It also calculates that if additional $79 billion are invested in low and middle-income countries by 2030, 400 million unplanned pregnancies could be averted, a million lives saved and $660 billion in economic benefits could be generated.
The ability to secure reproductive health rights, the UNFPA Executive Director believes, is another major challenge.
“It is indeed the responsibility of men to be champions of women’s reproductive rights, of everyone’s reproductive rights,” Ms. Kanem said.
Simon Blake is an experienced journalist deeply interested in international affairs and global development. Having spent years reporting on humanitarian issues, he offers a unique perspective in his coverage of United Nations news.
How can we ensure that women in crisis or distress situations have equal access to necessary reproductive healthcare services to reduce preventable deaths?
To ensure that women in crisis or distress situations have equal access to necessary reproductive healthcare services, it is crucial to advocate for policies that prioritize their needs and allocate resources accordingly. This includes promoting healthcare facilities in conflict zones, providing education on sexual and reproductive health rights, and addressing systemic barriers such as discrimination. By empowering and supporting these women, we can work towards reducing preventable deaths and promoting gender equality.
Are there specific actions being taken to address the barriers faced by women in crisis situations when it comes to access to reproductive healthcare?
Yes, efforts are being made to address the barriers faced by women in crisis situations regarding access to reproductive healthcare. Organizations such as UNFPA are working to provide crucial services, support, and advocacy for these vulnerable populations, aiming to ensure that all women have the right to essential reproductive health services, regardless of their circumstances. It’s crucial to continue these efforts to protect and promote the reproductive rights of all women, especially those in crisis situations.
It is disheartening to see the stark disparities in maternal mortality rates between African women and those in Europe and North America. The findings of the UNFPA report underscore the urgent need for concrete actions to uphold and protect women’s reproductive health rights across the globe.
It’s disheartening to see the stark disparities in maternal healthcare outcomes between regions. The statistics presented in the report underscore the urgent need for more targeted interventions to protect women’s reproductive health rights and combat the underlying discrimination that perpetuates these inequalities.
African women are 130 times more likely to die due to pregnancy or childbirth complications than women in Europe and Northern America, highlighting the urgent need for action to address the violations of women’s reproductive health rights. The report underscores the stark inequality and systemic discrimination that continue to disproportionately impact women and girls in crisis situations. It is imperative that we prioritize comprehensive sexual and reproductive healthcare services to ensure that all women have equal access to essential care and support.
In my opinion, it is imperative that we continue to advocate for women’s reproductive rights, especially in regions where disparities in healthcare access lead to higher maternal mortality rates. Addressing systemic issues of racism and sexism is crucial to ensure that all women have equal access to quality healthcare and are not at a higher risk of preventable deaths.
As a woman, it deeply saddens me to read about the severe disparities in maternal health outcomes between different regions. The statistics mentioned here are a stark reminder of the urgent need to address reproductive rights violations and fight against discrimination in healthcare. We must take action to ensure that every woman, regardless of her background or circumstances, has access to quality reproductive healthcare and can safely navigate pregnancy and childbirth.
As a woman, it’s disheartening to see the staggering disparities in maternal health outcomes between Africa and Europe/North America. The barriers due to racism and sexism are unacceptable and demand urgent action for change.
It’s heartbreaking to see that women in crisis-stricken regions are still facing such high risks during pregnancy and childbirth while progress is being made elsewhere. We need to address the root causes of these disparities and ensure that every woman has access to proper healthcare and rights. #TakeAction