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Attached is the UN Human Rights Council Maternal Mortality

 Resolution A/HRC/11/L.16, Referenced in This Article.

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Via University of Toronto (Canada), Faculty of Law

International Reproductive & Sexual Health Law Programme

 

THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL'S RESOLUTION ON

MATERNAL MORTALITY - BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

By Ebenezer Durojaye

African Human Rights Law Journal Vol. 10. No. 1. pp. 293-308, 2010.
http://www.chr.up.ac.za/images/files/publications/ahrlj/ahrlj_vol10_no1_2010.pdf


The article examines data in relation to maternal mortality and the
causes of death during pregnancy and childbirth. It analyses the
United Nations Human Rights Council's Resolution on Maternal
Mortality and its importance to the prevention of maternal deaths
worldwide. The article argues that, although the Resolution of the
Human Rights Council should have come sooner, nonetheless it remains
a strong statement by a UN body to the international community,
particularly poor regions such as Africa, to take adequate measures
to address the causes of maternal deaths.

In aligning itself with the Resolution, the article argues that
applying a human rights-based approach to an issue such as maternal
mortality is important in the sense that it reminds states of their
obligations under international law to respect, protect and fulfil
women's rights. It also emphasises the point that access to health
care services for women should not be viewed as a privilege, but
rather as an important entitlement.  Moreover, the article calls on
governments of the world, particularly African governments, in line
with commitments made at different consensus meetings and fora, to
show more political will to meeting the health needs of women by
increasing spending on sexual and reproductive health matters. The
article concludes by commending the Human Rights Council for this
Resolution and expresses the hope that greater attention will be
given to the issue of maternal mortality by the international
community in regions worst affected, such as Africa