Maternal Health
The Center for Reproductive Rights works to reduce maternal health disparities; restore access to safe, respectful and culturally informed maternal care; and improve maternal health outcomes.
Summary
Regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, immigration or financial status, everyone has the right to respectful and quality maternal health care, free from discrimination, coercion and violence. Yet worldwide, almost 300,000 women die each year during pregnancy and childbirth and countless others experience discrimination, ill-treatment and abuse in maternal health care settings. The poorest and most marginalized populations consistently face the greatest risks during pregnancy and childbirth due to discrimination, inadequate access to health services, and underinvestment in guaranteeing universal access to care.
The Center works to improve access to respectful, quality, non-discriminatory maternal health care throughout the world through advocacy, litigation, and human rights research and fact-finding. Collaborating with partners and ally organizations in countries across the world, we raise awareness about human rights violations in maternal health care settings, galvanize political engagement, and hold governments accountable for preventable maternal deaths and morbidities.
Key Facts
800
Women die every day from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth.
98%
Of maternal morbidity and mortality could be prevented by timely and appropriate healthcare.
1/3
Of women experienced mistreatment during childbirth, according to a WHO study of four countries.
Cases and Work
Explore highlights of our work on maternal health and rights.
Lawsuit seeks to restore access to safe, respectful, and culturally informed maternal care in Hawaiʻi communities.
Court of Appeal issues sweeping decision in case of pregnant woman physically and verbally abused by hospital staff.
Government complies with High Court’s order to increase repair services, marking major progress in improving maternal health.
Publications and More
U.S. Maternal Health and Rights Initiative
This program works to improve access to safe and respectful maternal health care and to promote the human rights of pregnant, birthing, and postpartum people in the United States. Read more.
Calling on Colombia to Halt Use of Herbicide Causing Harm to Reproductive Health
New research report by the Center and its local partner shows negative effects of herbicide used to eradicate cocaine production.
Perilous Pregnancies: Health Care for Undocumented Migrant Women in the EU
A report showcasing the failures of EU member states to remove legal and policy barriers that impede undocumented migrant women’s access to affordable maternal health care throughout pregnancy. Read more.
Impact of COVID-19 on Reproductive Health and Rights in Sindh
A fact-finding report on the impact of COVID-19 on the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls in Pakistan.
Leading on Normative Development at the Human Right Council
Resolutions on maternal mortality and humanitarian situations. Read more.
Kenya: Detention and Abuse of Women Seeking Maternal Health Services Violates Human Rights
A report on a groundbreaking judgment recognizing that the detention and abuse of women who are unable to pay for maternity services at Kenyan public hospitals violates Kenyan constitutional and international human rights standards. Read more.
Alyne da Silva Pimentel v. Brazil
This landmark ruling recognized that States have a human rights obligation to address maternal mortality. Read more.