We work to harness evidence, track progress, and foster learning so that every pregnant woman, new mother and newborn has the best chance at survival and health, no matter where they are.

Photo © 2023 WHO / Gary Chong Studios – Faris Syazwan:
Ismaziah, a community nurse and midwife, assesses the child’s health and runs
through the standard medical protocol checklist

Photo © 2017 WHO/Yoshi Shimizu:
Expectant mother in Sabang, Puerto Prinsesa

The issue

Every seven seconds, a woman or a baby dies due to complications in pregnancy, childbirth or the first few weeks after birth. Mortality declines have stalled since 2016 and funding diverted to other issues.[^1]
[^1]: This is the footnote content.

The Action

We must and can reverse this trend even in the short time until 2030 and meet the global commitments for maternal and newborn survival and stillbirth reduction.

Global commitments for maternal and newborn health

World leaders have repeatedly committed to reduce maternal and newborn deaths and stillbirth:

The solution

Over 100 countries are showing us how. Their experience in adopting strategies to end preventable newborn deaths and stillbirths (Every Newborn Action Plan) and maternal deaths (Ending Preventable Maternal Mortality) in the past decade as well as the latest data call for six urgent actions:

Photo © 2023 WHO: World Health Organization (WHO) Iraq communication team visit
to Al-Alwiya Hospital in Baghdad on the occasion of International Midwives Day.

In practice: more coverage for improved survival

The governments of these countries (link to page ‘High burden countries’)  – in Africa, the Americas, the Eastern Mediterranean region, Europe, South-East Asia and the Western Pacific –  show us that progress is possible and within reach and call for a stronger focus on equity and quality.

Photo © 2021 WHO / Ismail Taxta

WHO staff and Somali nurses at Banadir Hospital in Mogadishu.

They are are working to meet bold coverage targets, known as the 90/90/80/80 targets , to expand access to high impact care interventions  during pregnancy and around the time of birth, and are tracking their progress.  Twenty-nine of these countries have taken further steps in 2023 and adopted  ‘maternal and newborn health acceleration plans’ to prioritise maternal and newborn survival and wellbeing and see faster progress.

90%

of pregnant women receive at least four antenatal care visits

90%

of women give birth with a skilled health worker present

80%

of new mothers and their babies receive postnatal care within two days of birth

80%

of districts have sick and small newborn care units and emergency obstetric care accessible for at least half of the population

Growing proportion of women who make their own informed and empowered decisions about their sexual and reproductive health. 

Achieve coverage targets

Improve maternal and newborn survival and reduce stillbirth

Meet the global mortality targets (SDGs)

News and events

The Midwifery Accelerator: Expanding Quality Care for Women and Newborns

On World Health Day 2025 (April 7), UNFPA, International Confederation of Midwives, UNICEF, Jhpiego, and the World Health Organization (WHO) launched The Midwifery Accelerator: Expanding Quality Care for Women and Newborns.

Webinar: Launch of the WHO technical guide on measuring and monitoring quality of care to improve maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health services

Accelerating Action for maternal, newborn and child health: Developing Africa’s advocacy action plan

Country and regional partners in Africa aligned around a shared advocacy agenda to accelerate progress for maternal, newborn, and child health across the continent.

Resources

EWENE: Maternal and newborn health advocacy strategy, 2024-2030.

Trends in maternal mortality estimates 2000 to 2023: estimates by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group and UNDESA/Population Division

This report presents internationally comparable global-, regional- and country-level estimates and trends for maternal mortality between 2000 and 2023.

The Midwifery Accelerator: Expanding health care for women and newborns

The Midwifery Accelerator: Expanding Quality Care for Women and Newborns is a call to invest in midwifery care to save and transform the lives of women and their newborns around the world.