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Fighting against cervical cancer

Women's health

An estimated 99 per cent of women who die in childbirth or from pregnancy-related complications live in developing countries. Most of these deaths are preventable.

Be it in conflict, in a natural disaster, a disease outbreak, or in an HIV programme - women are in need of specific care. Reproductive healthcare is an integral part of the medical care we provide, including in emergencies. In areas where maternal death is high, such as in Afghanistan or the Central African Republic, we've opened specific projects to provide care to women. The five main causes of maternal death are haemorrhage, sepsis, unsafe abortion, complications linked to high blood pressure, and obstructed labour.

For information on safe abortion care, please visit our dedicated page.

Women's Health

Quick Facts

 
Kaguro
Project Update

After a decade of conflict, there are still medical needs

Voices from the Field 26 Mar 2013
 
Burundi

Women are still suffering from the backyard disease

Project Update 15 Feb 2013
 
Humanitarian emergency in Rakhine state, Myanmar

Months after violence, health needs are still urgent

Project Update 7 Feb 2013
 
Congo - Yasuyoshi Chiba - MSF Delivers 2011
Democratic Republic of Congo

Ethnic violence in Masisi limits access to treatment

Voices from the Field 19 Dec 2012
 
REDUCING MATERNAL MORTALITY BURUNDI
Women's health

Safe Delivery: Reducing maternal mortality in Sierra Leone and Burundi

Report 19 Nov 2012
 
REDUCING MATERNAL MORTALITY BURUNDI
Women's health

Burundi and Sierra Leone: Access to emergency care significantly reduces maternal mortality

Press Release 19 Nov 2012
 
Hospital in Khost province, Afghanistan
Afghanistan

MSF to resume medical activities in Khost

Press Release 17 Oct 2012
 
Somalia

The risks of childbirth

Project Update 6 Jun 2012
 
Afghanistan

MSF condemns attack on medical facility and suspends activities in Khost

Press Release 17 Apr 2012
5000 Children of Adele (EN)
video

5000 Children of Adele (EN)

The 5000 children of Adele

Adele is a Central African midwife in the country's biggest maternity ward in Bangui.

This is the story of what it's like to help deliver babies under gunshots, but also what it means to be a woman in a country with one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world.

fieldresearch.msf.org

We produce important research based on our field experience. So far, we have published articles in over 100 peer-reviewed journals. These articles have often changed clinical practice and have been used for humanitarian advocacy. Read all our Women's Health-related articles on our dedicated Field Research website.

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Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF)