fast facts
Nearly every minute, a woman dies of pregnancy related complications.
- 99% of deaths in pregnancy and childbirth occur in developing regions.
- In sub-Saharan Africa the chances of dying in pregnancy or childbirth can be as high as 1 in 8, compared with just 1 in 8,000 in western Europe.
Worldwide, about one-third of women deliver their babies without a nurse, midwife or doctor present. This means 45 million births occurring at home without skilled health personnel each year.
The world needs 4.3 million more health workers. An estimated 700,000 midwives are needed to ensure every woman maternity care, but there is currently a 50% shortfall. 47,000 additional doctors with obstetric skills are needed, particularly in rural areas.
- The White Ribbon Alliance is an international coalition bound together by a
common goal: to ensure that pregnancy and childbirth are safe for all women and
newborns in every country around the world.
With over 15,000 individual and organizational members from 148 countries and National Alliances in 15 countries, the White Ribbon Alliance is committed to holding governments and institutions to account for the tragedy of maternal mortality and amplifying the voices of people suffering from the greatest burden of morbidity and mortality from complications due to pregnancy and childbirth.
Click here to learn more.