Statement by Ms. Navanethem Pillay, High Commissioner for Human Rights to the Side event - “Health and Human Rights. The case of maternal and child health" organized by the Permanent Mission of Italy, Geneva, 29 September 2010

Excellencies,
Distinguished Participants,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

          I am delighted to be with you today to open this side-event panel discussion on “Health and Human Rights. The case of Maternal and Child Health.” In my address, I will focus on maternal mortality and morbidity.

          When I presented my thematic study on maternal mortality and morbidity before the Human Rights Council last June, I noted the increasing understanding at the international and regional levels that reducing maternal mortality and morbidity is not solely an issue of development, but also a matter of human rights.

          I am just back from the summit that reviewed implementation of the Millennium Development Goals, where Goal 5, that is, improving maternal health was amply debated. In light of the Outcome Document of the summit, I submit that the way forward to curb maternal mortality entails four main components which are also rooted in human rights.  These components are:
          ■ Access to sexual and reproductive health care;
■ Equal access to education;
■ Equal economic opportunities; and
■ Access to quality health care.

          The debate at the summit did not come a moment to soon.  Indeed, Goal 5 remains the most off-track of the MDGs.  Although the number of women and girls dying from pregnancy and childbirth has decreased by more than 30 per cent since 1990, hundreds of thousands of women and girls are victims of preventable deaths each year. Equally alarming is the fact that millions of women and girls become disabled as a result of pregnancy-related deceases or complications.   Their disabilities are likely to hamper their prospects to earn a decent livelihood and raise healthy children.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
          In its resolution 11/8, the Human Rights Council identified a range of human rights directly implicated by maternal mortality and morbidity, including the right not to be discriminated against on the basis of sex. Non-discrimination and human rights principles such as equality, participation, accountability and the rule of law are instrumental for development to take firm root and be both equitable and sustainable. 

          Last week the Human Rights Council held an interactive plenary panel discussion on the elimination of discrimination against women which, despite much welcome progress, remains elusive.  There is a human tendency to act and react on the most visible forms and symptoms of discrimination: rape and slaying of women in conflict zones, domestic violence and killings, as well as crimes committed in the name of honour.   However, deeply rooted, chronic disadvantages and marginalization that impair women’s equality and threaten their well-being on a daily basis are kept unaddressed. 

          Gender equality and empowerment play a key role in preventing maternal mortality as they lead to greater demand by women for sexual and reproductive and family planning services, antenatal care and safe delivery. In the context of maternal mortality and morbidity, access to information, and the education to take advantage of this information, is crucial to take advantage of existing mortality reduction programs.

          Moreover, there is a need to keep monitoring health systems and the underlying physical and socioeconomic determinants of health that affect women’s ability to exercise their rights.  Treaty bodies and human rights experts have frequently called upon States to complement national health action plans with appropriate indicators to monitor progress and correct shortcomings. 

          To conclude, a human rights-based approach to address maternal mortality and morbidity makes visible the connections between poverty, discrimination, inequality, health and other unfulfilled rights.  It stimulates the identification of high-risk groups, and exposes gaps in protection and accountability in States’ policies and practice. 

          The systematic implementation of human rights principles is critical to save millions of women’s lives.
          Thank you.