Human Rights Council adopted a landmark resolution on maternal mortality

June 25, 2009

The United Nations Human Rights Council at its eleventh regular session adopted a landmark resolution on “Preventable maternal mortality and morbidity and human rights.”  In this resolution, governments express grave concern for the unacceptably high rates of maternal mortality and morbidity, acknowledge that this is a human rights issue, and commit to enhance their efforts at the national and international level to protect the lives of women and girls worldwide.  ­­

Through the Human Rights Council resolution, governments recognize that the elimination of maternal mortality and morbidity requires the effective promotion and protection of women and girls’ human rights, including their rights to life; to be equal in dignity; to education; to be free to seek, receive, and impart information; to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress; to freedom from discrimination; and to enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, including sexual and reproductive health.

Furthermore, the resolution stresses that a human rights-based approach makes efforts against maternal mortality and morbidity more effective and sustainable.  The resolution commissions a study by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to examine the human rights dimensions of preventable maternal mortality and morbidity, and how the Council can contribute to addressing this problem.