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Maternal & Child Survival :
  Not just a health issue, but also a human rights one

The survival and well-being of mothers and children is central to societal well being and development. When women die while giving birth, it points to social injustice, for it reflects a societal milieu where women are powerless and have unequal access to basic health care, education, employment, finances and other resources. These harsh and unjust realities make a woman’s pregnancy fraught with problems. Making motherhood safer requires more than good quality health services. Empowering women is necessary so that they can stand and fight for their rights to good quality services and their right to information during and after pregnancy. Therefore, the parameters of the problem extend beyond health and become a human rights issue as well. 

Human rights principles exist in constitutions and in regional and international human rights treaties to which nations have voluntarily committed themselves. What is crucial is that these laws be translated into effective action.

International human rights treaties and most national constitutions guarantee: 

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The right to life, liberty and the security: This relates to access to appropriate health care and guarantees that citizens can choose when and how often to bear children. 

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Rights that relate to the foundation of families and of family life: Healthcare plays a big part in the the right to establish families and enjoy life within them. 

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The right to health services (including information and education) and the benefits of scientific progress: These not only make it imperative for governments to provide reproductive and sexual health care to women but also information that impacts health issues. 

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The right to equality and non-discrimination: Gender should not be an excluding factor. All women and girls must have access to services (such as education and health care) – regardless of age, marital status, ethnicity or socio-economic status. 

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International treaties that advance safe motherhood rights are: 

a.

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (Women’s Convention) 

b.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 

c.

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 

d.

Convention on the Rights of the Child 

e.

European Convention on Human Rights 

f.

American Convention on Human Rights

g.

African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

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