This paper demonstrates that due to the number of deaths attributable to pregnancy and childbirth in Mali, the right to life has yet to be realised for women. Contributing to these deaths are everyday denials of the rights to health care, non-discrimination and reproductive self-determination. The paper argues that the government of Mali has not turned a blind eye to the challenge of guaranteeing survival of pregnancy and childbirth. Policies and government institutions recognise the need to improve women’s status and increase access to health care. The policies adopted by the government of Mali reflect a rights-based approach to women’s empowerment and health, particularly their reproductive health. While this approach could be even more forcefully articulated in binding legal instruments, the current policy framework provides a strong basis for government accountability for ensuring women’s right to survive pregnancy and childbirth. What is needed now is concerted action to make legal and policy guarantees a reality for the women of Mali. Recommendations: The government of Mali: Ministry of Health:
invest in maternal health and emergency obstetric care
allocate additional funding
address material shortages at clinics
establish emergency referral and transportation plans
expand family planning services
address unsafe abortion
counter the impact of health sector reform measures
help identify needed health system improvements
track incidences of maternal mortality
make health centers women-friendly
strengthen medical training programs
strengthen health-care standards
Ministry of Justice:
investigate malpractice
law reform addressing reproductive health
promote the use of law to address the underlying causes of maternal death
Ministry for the Advancement of Women, Children, and the Family:
empower women to claim their reproductive rights
champion a concerted approach among government ministries
To the United Nations, World Bank and other UN Agencies:
strengthen international norms
evaluate the impact of recommended health sector reforms
To the international donor community:
earmark resources to address maternal mortality and its underlying causes in Mali
target structural barriers to health care access
facilitate provider training and education
promote public education and information sharing on health
address discrimination against women
support the advocacy efforts of national NGOs
take a coordinated approach
To African Regional bodies: In all regional development and human rights platforms, emphasise maternal survival as a key human-rights and development priority for Africa. Apply diplomatic pressure to member states to address seriously the direct and underlying causes of maternal mortality.
