Blog

As we mark the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula this week, we are reminded of a stark reality—nearly 2 million women around the world suffer from the injury and its lasting effects every day.

Can't join us for Women Deliver? You can still take part in the conference by watching live streams directly from the conference here. Join the conversation by letting us know what you think on Twitter and Facebook.

Christy Turlington Burns is the founder of Every Mother Counts, a campaign dedicating to ending the hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths linked to pregnancy and childbirth that happen every year around the world. Prior to her work with Every Mother Counts, Christy directed and produced "No Woman, No Cry", a documentary about the state of maternal health for mothers worldwide. As a part of "No Woman, No Cry", Christy dared to share her personal experience with postpartum hemorrhage, a condition that claims the lives of nearly 350,000 mothers every year.

The idea of a solar suitcase was born in Nigeria when American doctor Laura Stachel witnessed physicians performing an emergency cesarean section on a woman even after the lights went out. In countries like Nigeria, giving birth can be a risk to both the life of the mother and her child for a myriad of reasons. Giving birth is even riskier without dependable access to adequate lighting and the electricity that supports it.

Jill Sheffield is the founder and President of Women Deliver, an international advocacy organization dedicated to advancing political action around and investment in maternal health. Jill is a tireless advocate for women’s health who credits her time spent in a Kenyan maternity hospital as the inspiration for her work. Jill’s daring work has been a contributing factor to increased international attention to maternal mortality, an area of continued need given the stalled progress on lowering maternal mortality.

It's no newsflash: women are daring to change the world. Nearly every day there are headlines, from Malala Yousafzai in Pakistan to Hillary Clinton in the US, detailing accomplishments from courageous women of all ages and backgrounds.

I can’t remember the last time I was this excited to read so many books—and I’m a pretty voracious reader. Just in time for Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, here are three books about the state of the world’s women—two from international leaders and one from a US business executive. All showcase the importance of fighting for change.

This week’s episode of Downton Abbey had a significant plot twist that deviated from the usual quibbling over what to wear for dinner, romantic escapades, and the impending changes to the decorum at Downton. Instead, the show tackled maternal death.

Pathfinder's Dr. Murtala Mai speaks on a promising and recently-introduced maternal mortality reduction intervention taking place in Nigeria.

After giving birth, a mother suffering from postpartum hemorrhage can die within two hours if she doesn’t receive proper treatment. In Burundi, PPH is the leading cause of maternal death. But it can be stopped in its tracks if the proper care is available.

Edna Adan is a beacon of hope for women suffering from fistula and dying from preventable causes in Somaliland. Having spent a week with her, I can honestly say that Edna is my hero.

Some of you may have seen our No Joke. Choice Matters. Everywhere. video we just released. The satire is funny, but the reality is not. There are still far too many barriers for women—and men!—who want to access sexual and reproductive health care.

Pathfinder's Olivia Moseley recounts her experience in Rangamati, Bangladesh, where Pathfinder has worked with a local NGO called Green Hill to set up clinics for women and children in a place where no such services existed.

Diane Sawyer hosts a 20/20 special about the challenges women face in giving birth. To support struggling women, The Million Mom's Challenge connects one million women in the United States to one million women struggling around the world.

In response to the 20/20 special, "Giving Life: A Risky Proposition," Daniel E. Pellegrom highlights the consequences of unsafe abortion and the key technology of the non-pneumatic anti-shock garment.

In Hollywood films, the motorcycle is often synonymous with youth, rebellion, and leather-clad individuals cruising the streets in search of trouble. But deep in the hinterlands of Kenya, the motorcycle is fast becoming associated with a far more positive image—saving lives.

Kathleen Wilbur reflects on maternal morality and the need for privileged citizens to help women in need.

Former Pathfinder, Maren Vespia, wants to improve family planning and access to contraception around the world.

Since the Kenyan government outlawed home deliveries by traditional birth attendants (TBAs), many Kenyans--especially those in low income areas--have had to adjust.

It took the world 200,000 years to reach 1 billion people. It's only taken us 207 years to reach 7 billion. This World Population Day, there are 7 billion reasons to care, and 7 billion reasons to take action