Azerbaijan, Baku / Trend corr E.Huseynli / Death amongst pregnant women is a major public health problem in developing countries, resulting in the loss of over 600,000 productive lives every year. According to the UN Azerbaijan, every day women are dying due to complications during pregnancy and child delivery. Severe delivery problems are 30 to 100 times more frequent in developing countries than in the developed world.
Furthermore, such problems cause permanent invalidity which in turn has adverse consequences on the quality of life for women, with repercussions on the family and the community.
One of the main reasons for women dying during pregnancy or child delivery is the low-quality medical service available (including backup emergency obstetric care) or the absence altogether of such a service as well as the rapid spread of HIV amongst both women and men. "Experience has shown that men's involvement and active participation can make all the difference. By discouraging early marriage, promoting girls' education, fostering equitable relationships, and supporting women's reproductive health and rights, significant progress can be made. Men can make a tremendous contribution by using their powers for a positive change"- stated Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director, UNFPA.
"Partnering with men is an important strategy for advancing reproductive health and rights... let us all encourage men to become partners and agents for change, to support human rights and the safety of motherhood in every way possible, thus contributing to creating a world of greater health and opportunity for all", stated the United Nations Secretary-General Mr. Ban ki-Moon.
The theme of this year's World Population Day is "Men as Partners in Maternal Health".