Annotation:
This report begins by outlining the causes
of preventable maternal mortality and
morbidity including the "three delays
model" (delay in deciding to seek health
care, and in reaching and waiting at the
health care centre) and social and
economic factors. It then summarizes
international human rights obligations
that intersect with the right to safe
pregnancy and childbirth, including
resolutions passed by the UN Human Rights
Council and obligations under the
Millennium Development Goals. The report
next gives a broad overview of regional
efforts to improve maternal health, and
showcases Eritrea, Nepal, Romania and
Uruguay as countries that have taken
significant steps to address preventable
maternal mortality and morbidity.
Finally, it explores a number of
strategies that have been effective in
holding member states accountable to their
international obligations, such as
collecting information on the impact of
inadequate maternal health care, engaging
national human rights institutions,
citizen monitoring, and national
litigation. The report provides
recommendations to further realize the
right to safe pregnancy and childbirth
including seeking substantive equality for
women, participation of women in creating
national health strategies, and providing
government accountability at the national,
regional and international level.