Skip to main content
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

 
Democratic Republic of Congo

A delayed arrival in Katanga

Voices from the Field 23 May 2007
 
Photo Story

Emergency obstetrical care in Haiti, where maternal mortality is highest in western world

28 Mar 2006
Photo Story
 
Haiti

Treating bullet wounds and delivering babies

Project Update 27 Dec 2005
 
Afghanistan

Lack of maternal health care in Afghanistan

Project Update 22 Mar 2004
 
India

MSF develops local counsellors for mental health programme

Project Update 12 Feb 2001
 
Women's health

Female genital cutting

Project Update 13 Sep 1999
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.

Visit site
Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF)