Safe Motherhood

UNFPA strives to ensure every woman can deliver life safely without fear of losing her own. By working with governments, civil society, and other United Nations agencies, UNFPA provides emergency obstetric services, trains health professionals, and strengthens health systems.

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Every Two Minutes, a Woman Dies During Pregnancy or Childbirth

Since UNFPA started working in 1969, the number – and rate – of women dying from complications of pregnancy or childbirth has been cut in half.

Yet 830 women still die every day from entirely preventable causes related to pregnancy or childbirth. This is about one woman every two minutes.

UNFPA promotes safe motherhood everywhere. By training healthcare professionals, supporting emergency obstetric care, and providing necessary equipment and resources no matter the circumstances, UNFPA strives to end all preventable maternal deaths by 2030.

830Women

die every day from preventable causes during pregnancy or childbirth

1 MillionBabies

safely delivered in humanitarian and fragile settings

73,500Maternal deaths

averted thanks to UNFPA-supplied contraception in 2018

UNFPA's Safe Motherhood Programs

No woman should die while giving life. UNFPA works around the world ensuring that women have the care and resources they need to survive pregnancy and childbirth.

News

Mothers in Crisis

UNFPA emergency birth kits provide pregnant women in emergency settings with the tools they need to give birth. Read more

5 Examples of Men Standing Up for Women’s Rights around the World

How Men Stand Up for Women and Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights. Learn how men are supporting women, promoting gender

Just like your mother? Seven ways motherhood has changed (or not) in the last 25 years

UNFPA explores how motherhood has been transformed in the last 25 years – and how it has not - after

Born at the end of a rope: Embracing indigenous childbirth traditions to save lives

CHURCAMPA, Peru – Edelmira Martina Antay Dávila remembers when women used to die in childbirth. “I used to give birth at

5 Takeaways from UNFPA’s 2019 State of the World Population Report

5 Takeaways from UNFPA’s State of the World Population Report 2019: what women’s empowerment and sexual and reproductive health rights

How a Midwife can Save Moms Around the World

How a Midwife Can Save Moms Around the World: What does a midwife do? Friends of UNFPA goes over some

Incredible Work and an Urgent Need: A Visit to UNFPA Madagascar

Late last year, Friends of UNFPA supporter Jyoti Agarwal and her husband Damian traveled to Madagascar and visited UNFPA programs

Who is UNFPA?

In our latest feature, we are sharing profiles of select UNFPA staff from around the world to showcase the breadth

830 mothers die every day in childbirth.

Not a single mother should die while giving birth.

MATCHING GIFT EXTENSION! There is still time to make 2x the impact. Donate by midnight on January 31^st and your gift will be matched up to $50,000. Make a gift and help us support UNFPA’s lifesaving work.