Human Rights-based Approach to Maternal Health Policy and Implementation: An Analysis of Abiye Safe-Motherhood Policy of Ondo State Nigeria

Abstract

A human rights-based approach that recognizes that women deserve the right to health is critical to achieving equitable reduction of maternal mortality in Nigeria, a country that is the second largest contributor to global maternal mortality. This study evaluated the extent to which the Abiye safe motherhood policy of the Ondo State government of Nigeria incorporated human rights-principles in its formulation and implementation. The study involved interviews and focus group discussions and the OHCHR human rights principles served as the basis for the thematic analysis of data. Findings indicate that the Abiye initiative exemplified the core principles of human rights-based approach to maternal health. Whereas, the initiative showed stronger practice in terms of the principles of participation, empowerment, non-discrimination and international assistance, there was limited indication of adherence to accountability, transparency, and sustainability principles. The Abiye safe motherhood initiative responded to maternal health needs in fairly acceptable and equitable ways; allowing the creation of opportunities and enabling conditions for the fulfillment of the health rights of reproductive-age women. It is recommended that governments at all levels should prioritize incorporating human rights-based standards into new or existing programs in a way that meets the core needs of respect and welfare of every woman in pregnancy and childbirth.

Factors Associated with Safe Motherhood Practices among Young Married Women

“…Ending preventable maternal death is top of the global agenda and subsequently, it has been discussed at international conferences. The principles of the program of Action of International Conference on Population and Development 1994 and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are explicitly embedded in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to decrease national maternal mortality ratios (Mbada 2020, Starrs et al 2018. To reduce the lack of steady progress of maternal health especially across the developing countries (Pulok et al 2016), restate the importance of the unfinished agenda of reducing maternal mortality ratio to achieve a global average of 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030 Sustainable Goals era (Moran et al 2016;World Health Organization 2015).…”

“…Ensuring maternal health is one of the key priorities of the World Health Organization, (WHO) and works to contribute to the decrease of maternal mortality by increasing research evidence (World Health Organization 2019). A human right based approach recognizes that women deserve the right to health is thoughtful to achieving an equitable decrease in maternal mortality (Mbada 2020). Assuring that women can exercise their rights to safe motherhood is critical to the health of all women during pregnancy, birth, and following birth.…”