Research in Ghana, India and Kenya shows that more women experience subtle forms of undignified care than they do physical and verbal abuse during childbirth.
Home visit trials strongly encouraged spouses to get involved.
Anne Cockroft
Laws in Mauritius allow minors to marry while some cultures on the island are tolerant of child marriage.
In Mozambique, gender-based violence, early marriage and early pregnancy all play a part in compromising the health of mothers and infants.
(Nazeem Muhajarine)
Mozambique has one of the highest maternal death rates in the world. Researchers hope to reduce this, with an ambitious project aimed at empowering women and girls.
The female ghost in Indonesia’s most recent horror movie is scary. But the data on maternal mortality rates and sexual violence against women are scary too.
Rapi Films
A new movie about a female ghost has scared millions in Indonesia. Female ghosts have been center stage in Indonesian folklore and their stories can serve as a warning to the state of women today.
A premature baby’s hand is held through an incubator.
Ariel Schalit/AP Photo
Many women in African countries who are medically required to have caesarean sections aren’t able to access them due to weak health systems and a lack of resources.
In rural Malawi traditional leaders have played an important role in persuading men to get involved in women’s health.
Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko
A study in Malawi shows how the participation of local community leaders in policy development can change men’s attitudes to maternal and child health for the better.
Women in Central African Republic wait for vaccinations.
Pierre Holtz for UNICEF
An index developed to gauge progress towards the sustainable development goals and their targets shows that nine of the world’s worst performing countries are in Africa.
Sixteen women die in Uganda every day during child birth in instances that could be avoided.
Reuters/Jonathan Ernst
The cases of two women who died in childbirth in two different parts of Uganda are being used in a Constitutional Court battle forcing the government to fulfill its healthcare obligations.
In a bid to improve health care in South Africa, President Jacob Zuma has made several promises in the last three years. Some have materialised faster than others.
Africa’s maternal mortality rates are the highest in the world.
Reuters/Andreea Campeanu
Africa faces the monumental task of reducing its maternal deaths by three-quarters if it is to meet the Sustainable Development Goals around maternal mortality.
Improving maternal mortality and ending preventable deaths in children are some of the health targets in the Sustainable Development Goals.
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade/Flickr
Health has secured its place as one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. But without clear mechanisms to report, finance or engage other sectors, could more end up as less?
Men can play a valuable role in maternal, infant and child health.
shutterstock
Fathers have an important role to play beyond financial support. Research shows they play an invaluable role in maternal, infant and child health.
One of the tenets that make universal health care effective is the provision of quality reproductive, maternal and newborn health that is accessible to the entire population.
Feisal Omar/Reuters