Nigeria: A Call to Action to Reduce Maternal Deaths

In a recent press statement issued in Taraba State, Lucky Palmer, the Country Director of Ipas Nigeria Health Foundation, highlighted Nigeria’s alarming rate of maternal deaths. With 1047 deaths per every 100,000 live births, Nigeria ranks among the countries with the highest maternal mortality rates globally.

Palmer emphasized that unsafe abortions contribute to over 15% of these deaths, underscoring the urgent need for collaborative efforts from stakeholders to address entrenched gender disparities. He stressed the importance of empowering women and girls to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health without coercion.

“It is concerning to see women bearing the brunt of societal gaps, exacerbated by gender inequality,” Palmer lamented. He referenced a recent World Economic Report ranking Nigeria 122 out of 144 countries on the Gender Gap Index, highlighting the barriers that women face in self-determining critical life decisions.

The challenges are even greater for women in vulnerable communities and those with disabilities. Women living in poverty are particularly at risk, facing higher rates of unintended pregnancies due to economic vulnerabilities, lack of access to contraception, limited education, and inadequate knowledge about sexual and reproductive health.

Palmer’s call to action urges stakeholders to prioritize investments that address these disparities and empower women to take control of their reproductive health decisions. By working together to eliminate gender inequality and provide women with the resources and support they need, Nigeria can make significant strides in reducing maternal deaths and improving the health and well-being of its female population.

Let’s join hands to ensure that every woman in Nigeria has the opportunity to lead a healthy and empowered life, free from the threat of maternal mortality.