INTERNATIONAL STORY THE FIGHT TO END MATERNAL MORTALITY BY UNFPA BRASIL FROM 2015 TO 2020, approximately 8,000 women in Latin America and the Caribbean died each year due to pregnancy, birth, and postpartum complications. In 2020, the number of maternal deaths in the region increased by 9% from 2019. It is estimated that the COVID-19 pandemic set regional maternal health indicators back by 20 years. While all women are at risk of experiencing pregnancyrelated complications, there is a clear relationship between socioeconomic status and increased risk of maternal illness and death. These deaths continue to reflect gender inequality, ethnicity, place of residence, and education – factors associated with socioeconomic level. The most common causes are high blood pressure during pregnancy, bleeding, and complications from unsafe abortion. However, nine out of 10 of these deaths are avoidable with quality healthcare, access to contraception, and reduced inequality in access to care. The Inter-Agency Working Group to Reduce Maternal Mortality (IWG), part of the United Nations Population Fund, launched a campaign “Zero Maternal Deaths. Avoid the Avoidable” – a joint declaration addressed to the governments of Latin America and the Caribbean, civil society, the private sector, and the media to increase political and financial commitment and prioritize maternal health. As a member of the IWG, the UNFPA appeals to governments to increase political and financial commitment and prioritize maternal health; donors to contribute financial resources; technical agencies to provide the necessary assistance; and the media to highlight this critical issue. Without this joint effort, progress in eradicating preventable maternal deaths will stall, and the basic human rights to health and life will continue to be threatened. “Maternal morbidity and mortality is not just a health problem, it is also a social and political problem,” said Florbela Fernandes, UNFPA representative in Brazil. “It has health and economic implications for families and communities, given the important role that women play in family life, the community and countries’ social and economic development.” ■ Courtesy of Traços / INSP.ngo DONATE YOUR CAR! Need to get rid of your car, truck, or motorcycle? Consider donating it to Denver VOICE. Call (855) 500-7433, or go to: careasy.org/nonprofi t/denver-voice. Your donation helps Denver VOICE succeed in its mission to provide individuals experiencing homelessness or poverty the chance towards a more stable life. The Denver VOICE empowers homeless, impoverished, and transient individuals by creating job opportunities through our vendor program. We facilitate a dialogue addressing the roots of homelessness by telling stories of people whose lives are impacted by poverty and homelessness and to offer economic, educational, and empowerment opportunities for the impoverished community. VOLUNTEER WITH US! We are looking for volunteers to support our program coordination by helping with paper distribution and basic offi ce administration at the Denver VOICE offi ce (989 Santa Fe Dr.) from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. ILLUSTRATED BY TIAGO PALMA If you are interested and would like to know more, contact us at: program@denvervoice.org February 2024 DENVER VOICE 5
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