Statistics gathered since the 1980s show that there has been a decline in both newborn deaths and the numbers of women dying due to pregnancy related causes. However the numbers of maternal and newborn deaths and debilitating injuries and illnesses women suffer during and after pregnancy are still too high; particularly as the majority of these are avoidable. Women and Children First believes that even one avoidable death is too many. You can read how we addressed this problem in 2009 in our latest Annual Review.
Saving Lives
Up to half a million women and three million newborn babies die each year in pregnancy and childbirth or soon afterwards, the majority of them in Africa and South Asia. For every woman who dies at least twenty more suffer complications which leave them with lifelong disability and pain.
Our unique programmes are saving the lives of mothers and babies every day. We need you to help us to equip women with their most vital survival tool: knowledge.
