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New Zealand is committed to working to uphold women’s rights and gender equality both at home and in its international cooperation. There is a strong international framework for the promotion and protection of the rights of women through the Beijing Platform for Action and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
These remain the blueprint for making real improvements in the lives of women across the world. New Zealand acknowledges the Council’s work in this area, through its work on violence against women and the integration of a gender perspective in its work.
Despite the strong international framework for action, many women and girls face significant barriers in realising their rights, preventing them from participating fully in their families, communities and societies.
New Zealand reaffirms its commitment to addressing these challenges, and, takes this opportunity to focus the Council’s attention on the issue of maternal mortality.
The Council considered maternal mortality as a human rights issue during an expert panel discussion held during its last regular session.
MDG 5 recognises maternal mortality as a crucial international development priority. It is also an important human rights issue. The high rates of maternal mortality threaten advancements made in women’s rights, representing a violation of women’s rights to health, education, equality, non-discrimination and life. Particularly sobering is that many of the deaths and disabilities are preventable. This is an issue that affects all regions of the world.
Looking at maternal mortality through a human rights perspective brings new understanding of the issue and new impetus for reducing maternal mortality rates.
Women’s empowerment through the integration of human rights norms and standards in maternal mortality-related policies and programmes could lead to a greater understanding by women and society in general, of women’s needs, including greater demand by women for equal access to appropriate and quality maternal health.
For example, access to specialist care during child birth and emergency obstetric care, is vital in reducing maternal mortality rates. Access can be hindered by barriers such as poverty, lack of information, weak health infrastructure or rural isolation.
New Zealand acknowledges the work being carried out by agencies such as the WHO, UNFPA and the International Planned Parenthood Federation in adopting a holistic approach, focussing on access to quality healthcare and family planning. Through its international development agency, NZAID, New Zealand has been working with UNFPA to implement a US$3 million project focused on improving the quality and utilisation of maternal and child health services since 2004.
As a critical first step, the Council can contribute to this issue by calling for accurate reporting and effective data collection.
New Zealand has recently reviewed its own data collection processes to ensure that data accurately reflects the maternal mortality situation in our own country. We encourage all States to focus efforts on effective data collection and accurate reporting, on maternal mortality rates, and to include such data in treaty body and UPR reports.
With effective data, we can better address maternal mortality and can further ensure women’s enjoyment of their human rights by ensuring that they are not the victims of these preventable deaths.
