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The African Center for Women in Politics (ACWP) has called on the government to make a great effort to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in Ghana.
Commemorating this year’s Mother’s Day, ACWP in a statement indicated that although the maternal and infant mortality rate has declined in the past 17 years, Ghana has yet to meet the goal of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).
“Despite the fact that maternal mortality has decreased between 2000 and 2017 by 38%, that is, from 342 deaths to 211 deaths per 100,000 live births, according to the UN inter-agency agency; this translates into an average annual rate reduction of 2.9% and is less than half of the annual rate of 6.4% necessary to achieve the global goal of Sustainable Development of 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.
“These figures are not encouraging, therefore they require the need for the government to do more through the Ministry of Health.”
The policy expert group therefore urges the government to build more Community Health Based Planning Service (CHPS) at the local level so that health care is accessible to all mothers.
Adding that these CHP compounds must be fully equipped with medicines and working tools so that pregnant women can be effectively cared for in the villages.
“Our mothers should also be encouraged to attend” prenatal “during pregnancies.”
Read the full statement below:
African Center for Women in Politics (ACWP)
Mother’s Day message: Government effort to reduce maternal and infant mortality is not encouraging
As we mark today as Mother’s Day, it is worth celebrating the role of our most amazing mothers around the world in shaping our lives.
It is also a perfect opportunity to celebrate how far women’s rights have come and support the need to continue fighting for greater equality and equity around the world, as mothers’ rights are women’s rights.
As we celebrate this day, we remember our married mothers, our single mothers, our divorced mothers, our widows and, above all, our elderly mothers. The role of our Mother cannot be underestimated. The stand is the biggest bet in the world, they are like glue.
Even when we can’t see them, they still keep our families together. They taught us good guiding principles that include acceptance, tolerance, courage, compassion in the most challenging world.
The mother’s contribution to a decent family and to the construction of society cannot be underestimated. It is also clear that women face various challenges, such as maternal mortality, economic difficulties, poor education, infant mortality, domestic violence, among others.
On this occasion, as we celebrate our mothers, it is also important to expand on these challenges to inform policy direction, especially as it has been established that female-headed households are on the rise.
One of the main problems facing our mothers is maternal mortality despite the fact that maternal mortality has decreased from 2000 to 2017 by 38%, from 342 deaths to 211 deaths per 100,000 live births according to UN inter-institutional estimates. This translates into an average annual rate of reduction of 2.9%. This is less than half the annual rate of 6.4% required to achieve the global Sustainable Development goal of 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.
These figures are not encouraging, therefore they require the need for the government to do more through the Ministry of Health.
Similar to maternal mortality is infant mortality that according to the UN has decreased. However, records show that we have much more to do to achieve better results in this area.
Government attention is urgently required in the following areas:
1. The government must quickly turn to the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) so that it can effectively deal with domestic violence, especially violence against our mothers. Research has shown that 33.6% of married women experience domestic violence, which requires concern.
2. The government needs to build more Community Health Based Planning Service (CHPS) locally to make health care accessible to our mothers. The existing CHPS must be fully equipped with medicines and work tools so that pregnant women can be effectively cared for in the villages. Information on safe practices during pregnancy should also be made accessible. Our mothers should also be encouraged to attend “prenatal” during pregnancies.
3. Since female-headed households are on the rise, the government should make loans to small businesses owned by women so that they can provide for their families.
While efforts are constantly geared to address the challenges facing our mothers, it is important to celebrate extraordinary performances by women around the world who have broken the glass ceiling, inspired, struggled, lifted, and survived through the storm. As Hillary Clinton said, “Human rights are women’s rights and women’s rights are human rights once and for all.” All countries, including Ghana, must do well to expand women’s rights.
Thank you.
Signed
Eunice Yogri (PhD)
Chief, Gender and Politics
0244454644
Sheila Adam
Deputy Director for Gender and Politics
0209692623
