Report on Maternal Mortality

SUMMARY

The African Affairs Committee (Elizabeth Barad and Jason Spears, Co-Chairs) issued a report on laws and policies relating to maternal health and mortality in four African countries—Algeria, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Sierra Leone.  These countries were chosen because they are geographically, religiously and legally diverse from one another.  The report provides background and information about each country’s birth rate and maternal mortality rate, legal system, constitutional provisions that pertain to women’s rights, legislation impacting maternal health, and relevant international treaties.  The Committee hopes that the report will serve as a useful tool for NGOs and other advocacy organizations that are working to increase access to maternal health care across the continent.