Pregnancy Kills A Woman Every Two Minutes; Why Is Female Healthcare Sidelined?

In the past few days, I have come across many news that encouraged childbirth. Countries like Singapore and China have made changes in their policies to boost the birth rate. Just yesterday I wrote an article on China increasing the marriage leave policy to boost the birth rate in the country. But today morning was different. I came across a study that made me question this urge to increase the birth rate.

According to United Nations, one woman dies every two minutes during pregnancy. This is despite the decrease in maternal mortality rate. According to the study, in the year 2016 to 2020, the maternal mortality rate slightly decreased from 309 000 in 2016 and 287000 in 2020. However, in the years 2000-2015, the maternal mortality rate remained stagnant or even reversed.

“While pregnancy should be a time of immense hope and a positive experience for all women, it is tragically still a shockingly dangerous experience for millions around the world who lack access to high quality, respectful health care,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO). ‘

As per the report, in two of the eight UN countries, the maternal mortality rate increased in the year 2016-2020. In Europe and Northern America, it increased by 17 per cent and in Latin America and the Caribbean by 15 per cent. While in other countries, the rate remained stagnant.

Pregnancy Kills A Woman Every Two Minutes; Are Countries Considering This While Boosting Birth Rate?

On the other hand, China has decided to increase the marriage leave to 30 days so that couples can be encouraged to conceive children. Singapore has extended paternity leaves to encourage fathers to be more indulged in the family. Moreover, it has decided to provide baby bonuses also to newly married couples and provide them extended unpaid leave for taking care of the infant.

Moreover, the Taliban stopped the sale of contraceptives in two of Afghanistan’s main cities, claiming their use by women is a western conspiracy to control the Muslim population.

What does this comparison entail? Does it not show that countries are irresponsible by burdening women with boosting childbirth? Is it not ignorant to the fact that the maternal mortality rate is more important than boosting childbirth?

In our society, women are rarely valued as individuals. They are seen as baby-making machines which not only objectify them but also put their health at risk. The same idealogy is being repeated today too. But it is shocking that after years of development, our society has still not budged from its stereotypes.

The fact that countries are encouraging childbirth despite seeing the danger that pregnancy is causing to women clearly shows that they are least worried about the health of women. In our society, women’s health is rarely encouraged. Women rarely focus on their health and rather give more priority to the needs and well-being of their loved ones.

I agree that some countries like Singapore, have stinted birthrate and there might be a necessity to increase it. But this is not possible until the women are encouraged to take care of their health. Until and unless women are encouraged to prioritise their health, demanding a child from them is selfishness.

So dear countries, please for once look at the maternal mortality rate and try to solve the reason behind it. Try to make healthcare systems more affordable, accessible and less complicated. Especially women in rural areas need to have awareness of their health during pregnancy. Moreover, make sure that your boosting childbirth policy doesn't further increase maternal mortality by encouraging early pregnancy.

If women’s bodies are so important for the country, then why aren’t women’s individualities valued?

Views expressed are the author's own. 

Suggested Reading: India’s Maternal Mortality Rate Drops By 22%, Kerala Tops