Maternal health

8 March - International Women’s Day

On International Women’s Day, WHO joins UN agencies on a call to action on violence against women during the 57th Commission on Social Status of Women (CSSW), taking place in New York.

Why did Mrs X die, retold - video

“Why did Mrs X die, retold” is a remake of the 1988 film, “Why did Mrs X Die?”, created to educate midwives, heath workers and decision-makers about the key issues associated with safe motherhood. Although progress has been made, and fewer mothers are dying from pregnancy-related problems, many fundamental issues remain the same.

Watch the video [Stream video, duration 14:37]

WHO issues new guidance for the prevention and management of postpartum haemorrhage

WHO/Fort A

Mother and her newborn at a clinic in Kenya.

Given the availability of new scientific evidence related to the prevention and treatment of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), this document updates previous WHO recommendations and adds new recommendations for the prevention and treatment of PPH. The primary goal of this guideline is to provide a foundation for the implementation of interventions shown to have been effective in reducing the burden of PPH.

Download new guidelines

Improving the health of women and children in Afghanistan

Students at the Faizabad Midwifery Training School, which was established by WHO in 2007.

WHO/Christopher Black

The health system in Afghanistan continues to face many challenges – including a shortage of skilled female health-care workers and family planning services. This is why WHO is helping to establish training courses for midwives and supporting programmes to improve family planning services. This photo gallery illustrates some of these initiatives and how they are helping to improve health care for women and children.