Human rights-based approach to maternal health

Human rights-based approach to maternal health

The deaths and injuries suffered by women and adolescent girls in pregnancy and childbirth are mostly preventable, yet they still occur at alarming rates. Recent data from the World Health Organization reveals that in 2023, a woman died every two minutes due to preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. The majority of these deaths and morbidities are concentrated in low- and middle-income countries, underscoring significant gender inequalities and stark disparities in access to quality maternal healthcare services. Within these countries, it is often women living in poverty, in rural areas, women facing racial, ethnic or other forms of discrimination, dying from causes that are entirely preventable.

Under international human rights law, governments have legal obligations to maintain the highest possible standard of health, including sexual and reproductive healthcare. There is also increasing evidence that systematic application of human rights standards and principles contributes to positive health outcomes.

Resolutions on preventable maternal mortality and morbidity and human rights

A/HRC/RES 54/16 (adopted 12 October 2023)

A/HRC/RES/47/25 (adopted 14 July 2021)

A/HRC/RES/39/10 (adopted 27 September 2018)

A/HRC/RES 33/18 (adopted 30 September 2016)

A/HRC/RES 27/11 (adopted 3 October 2014)

A/HRC/RES/21/6 (adopted 27 September 2012)

A/HRC/RES/18/2 (adopted 28 September 2011)

A/HRC/RES/15/17 (adopted 30 September 2010)

A/HRC/RES/11/8 (adopted 17 June 2007)

Technical guidance in applying a human rights-based approach

The Human Rights Council has repeatedly recognized the urgency of addressing maternal mortality and morbidity as a human rights issue. It has adopted a series of resolutions calling on States to take concrete, coordinated action to prevent maternal deaths and ensure access to quality maternal healthcare services.

To address the urgent issue of preventable maternal mortality and morbidity, the Office of the High Commissioner produced in 2012 a technical guidance on the application of a human rights-based approach to the implementation of policies and programmes to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity.

This technical guidance marked an important stride in understanding preventable maternal mortality and morbidity not only as a public health concern, but also as a human rights violation. It offered clear direction on the steps needed to develop, implement and evaluate policies and programmes to address maternal health in line with human rights standards. A human rights-based approach is multifaceted and multisectoral, whereby sexual and reproductive health is promoted comprehensively, beyond isolated pathologies. Such an approach requires the explicit recognition of sexual and reproductive health and rights in constitutions and in legal and policy frameworks. It also requires robust accountability mechanisms that safeguard the enjoyment of these rights.

Update to the technical guidance in applying a human rights-based approach

Following the adoption of Human Rights Council resolution 54/16 on preventable maternal mortality and morbidity and human rights, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights prepared an update to the technical guidance on the application of a human rights-based approach to the elimination of preventable maternal mortality and morbidity, informed by a global analysis from different regional perspectives of gaps, challenges and promising practices as well as the main developments in the area of preventable maternal mortality and morbidity. 

Eliminating preventable maternal mortality and morbidity requires bold, systemic change and solidarity. States should invest in universal healthcare, including maternal healthcare, with community-based approaches at its centre, and in access for girls to quality education. Maternal health should be central to sustainable development efforts. Genuine accountability, inclusive and effective participation and strong, transparent data systems are essential. Maternal survival is a matter of justice, not just healthcare, and only a rights-based overhaul will ensure that no woman or girl dies from preventable causes. Continued loss of life of the most marginalized women and girls due to systemic gender-based discrimination and sharp socioeconomic inequalities must end. Eradicating preventable maternal mortality and morbidity is not optional: it is a moral and human rights imperative involving clear legal obligations of States.

Reports of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

A/HRC/60/43: Update to the technical guidance on the application of a human rights-based approach to the elimination of preventable maternal mortality and morbidity (2025)

A/HRC/54/34: Follow-up report on good practices and challenges in the application of a human rights-based approach to the elimination of preventable maternal mortality and morbidity (2023)  

A/HRC/45/19: Good practices and challenges to respecting, protecting and fulfilling all human rights in the elimination of preventable maternal mortality and morbidity - Follow-up report (2020)

A/HRC/42/24: Summary report on the expert meeting to discuss good practices, gaps and challenges in the application of a human rights-based approach to the implementation of policies and programmes to reduce preventable maternal mortality and morbidity in humanitarian settings (2019)

A/HRC/39/26: Follow-up report on how technical guidance on the application of a human rights-based approach to the implementation of policies and programmes to reduce preventable maternal mortality and morbidity has been applied to States and other relevant actors (2018)

A/HRC/33/24: Follow-up report on how technical guidance on the application of a human rights-based approach to the implementation of policies and programmes to reduce preventable maternal mortality and morbidity has been applied to States and other relevant actors (2016)

A/HRC/27/20: Application of the technical guidance on the application of a human rights-based approach to the implementation of policies and programmes to reduce preventable maternal mortality and morbidity (2014)

A/HRC/21/22: Technical guidance on the application of a human rights-based approach to the implementation of policies and programmes to reduce preventable maternal mortality and morbidity (2012)

Tools and resources

Information sheet on maternal mortality and morbidity, (2020)

Implementation guides on the application of rights-based approaches to maternal and child health (2018)

Global Strategy on Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health (2015-2030)

Human rights-based approach to reduce and eliminate preventable mortality and morbidity of children under 5 years of age: Technical Guidance (2014)

Maternal mortality and morbidity and human rights (one-pager), (2013)