The International Day for Maternal Health and Rights, observed on April 11, serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by pregnant individuals worldwide. Despite global progress over the past two decades, maternal deaths continue to rise across the Americas. This alarming trend demands urgent attention and action.
Afrodescendent Women and Girls: Disparities Persist
A recent analysis by the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency (UNFPA) sheds light on a critical issue: Afrodescendent women and girls in the Americas are disproportionately affected by maternal mortality. These individuals face a higher risk of dying during childbirth compared to almost every other racial and ethnic group. The reasons behind this disparity are deeply rooted in systemic neglect and mistreatment.
The Role of Racism and Sexism
UNFPA’s analysis reveals that even when controlling for educational levels and income, disparities in health outcomes persist for Afrodescendent women and girls. Higher income or greater levels of schooling do not fully protect them from adverse maternal health outcomes. For instance, African American college graduates in the United States experience maternal deaths at a rate 1.6 times higher than white women who have not completed high school. Structural issues related to racism and sexism play a significant role in these outcomes.
Systemic Challenges Faced by Afrodescendent Women
Afrodescendent women and girls encounter multiple challenges within healthcare systems:
- Quality Care Denied: They are often denied quality care, leading to increased complications and delayed interventions.
- Racist Beliefs: Racist beliefs persist, dating back to the era of enslavement, suggesting that Afrodescendent individuals are less sensitive to pain. Consequently, they may be refused pain relief.
- Verbal and Physical Abuse: Mistreatment and low-quality services in hospitals subject them to verbal and physical abuse, exacerbating their health outcomes.
Bridging the Gap: A Human Rights-Based Approach
To address these disparities, a human rights-based approach is essential. It encompasses several key principles:
- Survival: Ensuring a person’s right to survive childbirth.
- Access to Quality Care: Facilitating access to high-quality healthcare.
- Government Accountability: Holding governments accountable for maternal health outcomes.
- Equity and Non-Discrimination: Ensuring equitable care for all, regardless of race or ethnicity.
- Family Planning and Contraception: Empowering individuals with reproductive choices.
Maternal health is a fundamental human right. As we commemorate the International Day for Maternal Health and Rights, let us recommit to promoting equitable access to healthcare for pregnant people globally. Justice and equality demand that we recognize and provide respectful, compassionate care to all individuals, regardless of their racial or ethnic background.
