An estimated 810 women die from pregnancy- or childbirth-related complications around the world every day. And for every woman who dies, it’s estimated 20 more experience acute or chronic morbidity. Ninety-nine percent of maternal deaths and morbidities occur in developing countries.
The Wilson Center’s Maternal Health Initiative is committed to improving maternal health outcomes by increasing knowledge, understanding, and communication of creative interventions that can be integrated into policies and programs worldwide.
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PHOTO CREDIT: USAID IN AFRICA.
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2023 DOT- MOM Guest Contributor Highlights
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The Dot-Mom column of the Environmental Change and Security Program’s New Security Beat blog serves as a platform to shed light on diverse perspectives and insights from experts in maternal and reproductive health, gender equity, and peace and security. In 2023, the Dot-Mom column was marked by an incredible number of guest contributor articles.
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The Health Burden of the Afghan Woman: Navigating Challenges Amidst Calamity
›Dot-Mom // Guest Contributor // November 21, 2023 // By Massoma Jafari, Fatima Jafari, Faiza Rab & Ijia Ormel
In the rugged heart of Western Afghanistan, the people of Herat Province have been grappling since October 7, 2023 with a relentless barrage of aftershocks from a series of powerful earthquakes that surpassed 6.0 in magnitude. These seismic convulsions have left an indelible mark on this land and its people. After 40 years of almost-continuous conflict, Afghanistan already faces some of the world’s most alarming health statistics. The nation has one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally, with 638 deaths per 100,000 live births, as well as an infant mortality rate of 36 deaths per 1,000 live births.
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Connecting the Dots to Gender Equality and Empowerment
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“Women’s ability to access education, pursue a career outside the home, or participate politically often hinges on their ability to exercise control and autonomy over their own bodies and reproduction,” said Sarah Craven, Director of the North American Representation Office at UNFPA at a recent Wilson Center event, hosted in partnership with Population Institute, to launch their new report, Connecting the Dots: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights as Prerequisites for Global Gender Equity and Empowerment.
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Youth Led Social Accountability – Case Studies and Challenges
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Young people should be able to hold public officials and service providers accountable for meeting their needs and rights. And this principle—known as youth social accountability—can also have a ripple effect on the health and wellbeing of young people themselves by enhancing the quality of health services and fostering more positive interactions with adolescents within health systems.
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New Global Health & Gender Policy Brief: Climate Change and Maternal and Newborn Health Outcomes
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The growing climate crisis presents one of the largest public health threats of the century. However, its countless impacts on maternal and newborn health outcomes (as well as health disparities worldwide) have only recently gained global attention.
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Connecting the Dots: Women’s Economic Empowerment and Reproductive Health
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In the fight for global gender equality, women’s economic empowerment and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are intrinsically linked. This year, for instance, the Biden-Harris administration launched the U.S. Strategy on Global Women’s Economic Security. The interagency strategy is the first of its kind, and it lays out a vision in which women and girls around the world, in all their diversity, are able to fully, meaningfully, and equally contribute to, and benefit from, economic growth and global prosperity.
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Connecting the Dots: Women’s Political Empowerment and Reproductive Health
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The Biden-Harris Administration marked a significant milestone earlier this year by hosting the second Summit for Democracy—which highlighted steadfast commitments to advancing women’s political and civic engagement. Global efforts towards achieving gender equality have not prevented the continuing worldwide underrepresentation of women in political decision-making—hindering progress towards empowerment and equal participation.
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Report Launch: The Lancet Commission on peaceful societies through health equity and gender equality
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“The message of the report we are issuing today is clear: health equity and gender equality have a unique and powerful ability to contribute to peace,” said Finland’s former President Tarja Halonen at the recent launch event at the Wilson Center for a new report by the Lancet Commission on peaceful societies through health equity and gender quality.
