Pregnancy Should Not be a Cause of Death

Maternal mortality and unsafe abortion are among the greatest causes of death of women worldwide. Over 500 000 women and girls die every year from pregnancy related causes. This could be avoided by investing more in women and girls' sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

High maternal mortality is often a sign of serious problems in a country's health system. It also indicates that women’s fundamental rights to life and health are being violated. Reducing maternal mortality requires that priority be given to women’s health and rights – both politically and economically – to a far greater extent than is the case today.

The IFPA Demands:

• That the governments prioritise, politically and financially, improved access to sexual and reproductive health care including modern methods of contraception;
• That abortion is made accessible, safe and legal for all women and girls;
• That dangerous and unsafe abortions are revealed and highlighted as a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality.

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