How Can Women’s Lives Be Saved? Strategies to Improve Global Women's Health
Women’s lives can be saved through simple yet critical interventions such as access to healthcare, timely maternal care, education, and legal protection. Despite progress in women's health and rights globally, thousands of women continue to die from preventable causes, particularly in low-income and developing regions.
In this article, we will explore the key strategies for reducing mortality among women, focusing on maternal health, gender-based violence, access to contraception, education, and healthcare systems.
Understanding the Root Causes of Preventable Deaths Among Women
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hundreds of thousands of women die each year due to preventable causes related to pregnancy, childbirth, unsafe abortion, and lack of healthcare services. Beyond reproductive health, women also face higher risks in certain regions due to domestic violence, discrimination, and limited access to medical facilities.
Leading causes of preventable deaths in women include:
- Complications during pregnancy and childbirth
- Unsafe abortions
- Gender-based violence and intimate partner violence
- Lack of timely access to emergency care
- Preventable diseases such as cervical cancer or HIV
1. Improve Access to Maternal and Reproductive Health Services
Globally, maternal mortality remains high, especially in rural and underdeveloped regions. Most maternal deaths occur due to lack of skilled birth attendants, unsafe delivery conditions, and delayed emergency care.
Key strategies:
- Skilled birth attendants: Ensuring trained midwives and obstetricians are available during childbirth can prevent complications like postpartum haemorrhage or obstructed labour.
- Emergency obstetric care: Timely treatment for issues such as eclampsia, sepsis, and haemorrhage is life-saving.
- Antenatal and postnatal care: Regular check-ups during and after pregnancy reduce maternal and neonatal deaths significantly.
2. Provide Safe and Legal Access to Abortion Services
Unsafe abortions contribute to a significant number of preventable deaths. Restrictive laws and lack of access to safe abortion methods force women to seek dangerous alternatives.
Solution: Decriminalising abortion and providing access to medically supervised procedures can save thousands of lives annually. Education on contraception also plays a role in reducing unwanted pregnancies.
3. Expand Access to Contraception and Family Planning
Access to contraception empowers women to make informed decisions about if and when to have children. It helps reduce maternal mortality and improve the health of both mother and child.
Effective measures include:
- Providing a variety of contraceptive options at low or no cost
- Educating communities about family planning benefits
- Targeting adolescent girls who are at higher risk for unsafe pregnancies
4. Address Gender-Based Violence
Violence against women is a major contributor to death and disability. This includes physical, sexual, and psychological abuse — often inflicted by intimate partners.
Interventions:
- Establish legal frameworks and enforce laws to protect women
- Offer counselling and rehabilitation for survivors
- Train police and medical professionals to handle cases sensitively
Violence can also lead to unplanned pregnancies, mental health issues, and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS.
5. Invest in Female Education and Empowerment
Educated women are more likely to access healthcare, delay marriage, and have healthier families. Education improves economic opportunities, enhances social status, and increases awareness of reproductive rights and available resources.
Girls' education has a domino effect:
- Lower fertility rates
- Reduced child and maternal mortality
- Improved household income
- Greater participation in decision-making
6. Promote Access to Basic Healthcare
Basic healthcare services — including vaccinations, screenings for diseases like cervical cancer, HIV treatment, and access to clean water — are fundamental to improving women’s health outcomes.
In many countries, women delay or avoid medical care due to cost, stigma, or cultural barriers. Outreach programmes and mobile clinics can bridge this gap.
7. Train Healthcare Workers in Rural and Underserved Areas
Many deaths occur simply due to a lack of healthcare providers, especially in rural regions. Community health workers can fill this gap with the right training and support.
These frontline workers can:
- Provide prenatal care and safe delivery
- Educate communities on hygiene and nutrition
- Administer vaccines and basic treatments
8. Use Technology to Improve Outreach and Education
Mobile phones and digital platforms can play a crucial role in spreading awareness about health, hygiene, contraception, and legal rights.
Examples:
- SMS reminders for antenatal check-ups
- Mobile apps for pregnancy tracking
- Telehealth consultations in remote regions
Case Studies: How Women’s Lives Have Been Saved
India: The Janani Suraksha Yojana programme in India provides financial incentives for women to deliver in healthcare facilities, resulting in a significant drop in maternal deaths.
Rwanda: Through investment in community health workers and mobile clinics, maternal mortality rates have been reduced by over 50% in the past decade.
Internal Links for Further Reading
- Women’s Access to Reproductive Health
- How to Tackle Postpartum Complications
- What Causes Sterility in Women and Men?
- Browse All Ichhori Articles
FAQs: Saving Women’s Lives
What is the most common preventable cause of death in women?
Maternal complications during pregnancy and childbirth are among the top preventable causes, especially in low-resource settings.
How can communities help reduce maternal mortality?
By encouraging hospital births, providing transport for emergencies, and educating women about pregnancy risks and warning signs.
What role does contraception play in women’s health?
It allows women to plan pregnancies, reduces maternal deaths, and lowers the risk of unsafe abortion.
Why is education important for women’s health?
Educated women are more likely to access healthcare, use contraception, and seek help for abuse or complications.
How can governments support women’s health?
By investing in healthcare infrastructure, legal reforms, education, and access to family planning services.