African Women 130 Times More Likely to Die in Childbirth than Women in Europe and North America

African women face 130 times higher risk of maternal death than those in Europe, U.S., due to global sexual health inequalities.

A new report has brought to light the alarming disparity in maternal mortality rates between African women and those in Europe and North America. According to the latest “State of World Population” report by the UNFPA, an African woman is approximately 130 times more likely to die from pregnancy and childbirth complications than her counterparts in Europe or North America.

A Global Epidemic

The report also reveals that nearly 500 maternal deaths occur daily in countries facing humanitarian crises or conflicts. Additionally, it highlights the stark contrast in maternal mortality rates between women of African descent and white women in the Americas, indicating a deeply concerning trend.

Unequal Progress

While there have been advancements in sexual and reproductive health over the past three decades, the report underscores that these improvements have not been equally distributed. The unintended pregnancy rate has decreased by almost one-fifth since 1990, and the maternal death rate has seen a drop of over one-third since 2000. However, the benefits of these advancements have predominantly favored wealthier women and ethnic groups with better access to healthcare.

Urgent Call to Action

Dr. Natalia Kanem, the executive director of UNFPA, has emphasized the urgent need to address the widening inequalities in healthcare access. She has called for increased investment in sexual and reproductive health, comprehensive sexuality education, and the eradication of gender-based violence. Furthermore, she has stressed the importance of ending the unmet need for contraception, a critical issue that has caused division in some regions.

Challenges and Pushback

Despite significant progress, Kanem has warned of the politicization of human reproduction and the growing resistance against the rights of women, girls, and gender diverse individuals. She has expressed concern over the stagnation in annual reductions of maternal deaths since 2016, signaling a troubling lack of advancement in preventing preventable deaths related to pregnancy and childbirth.

Rebuilding Health Systems

Highlighting the weaknesses in current health systems, Kanem has underscored the pervasive gender inequality, racial discrimination, and misinformation that taint healthcare provision. The UNFPA has stressed the need for comprehensive efforts to address these systemic issues and to prioritize reaching marginalized communities.

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