Teaming Up for Respectful Maternity Care

Pregnancy and childbirth are momentous events in the lives of women and families everywhere. But too often, a woman's experience with her health care providers results in lasting damage and emotional trauma, rather than comfort and trust.

This is why EngenderHealth is partnering with the White Ribbon Alliance to promote Respectful Maternity Care, a campaign to raise awareness of the disrespectful treatment that many women experience in seeking and receiving maternity care.

To learn more, read our guest blog on the White Ribbon Alliance website.

At Salon.com, Dr. Ana Langer's Perspective on the Maternal Mortality Numbers

At Salon.com, EngenderHealth's president Dr. Ana Langer provided some perspective on the maternal mortality numbers in today's headlines, including why the U.S. is lagging.

Dr. Ana Langer, president of EngenderHealth, an international reproductive healthcare organization, said that better record keeping might account for some of the increase in the U.S. The window for classifying maternal mortality has been extended from 42 days after a woman gives birth to one year. Also, in recent years, U.S. death certificates began tracking whether or not a woman of reproductive age is pregnant at the time of death. As for global changes, Langer points to an increase in contraceptive use, women's education and the use of skilled medical providers during birth. However, she was quick to point out that it's somewhat deceptive to say that maternal mortality is declining worldwide. The reality is that it's "declining in some countries with large populations."

Read the full article.

Inspired by Half the Sky? Check out our new Reader's Companion!

Inspired by Half the Sky? EngenderHealth’s online Reader's Companion to Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn’s best-selling book will deepen your understanding of women's health and rights and the change that is happening around the world, every minute, every day. Hear the voices of those working on the front lines of global health and development, and of the women and men who are beating impossible odds and improving lives in their communities.

EngenderHealth is named in Half the Sky as an organization doing important work to support women in developing countries. Chapter-by-chapter, the Companion offers diverse perspectives, interviews, facts, and stories that expand on the topics in the book, drawing on EngenderHealth's expertise and program experiences around the world.

Learn more about what you can do to turn oppression into opportunity for women and girls everywhere!