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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

 
Sucre: Malaria treatment at San Vicente clinic
Venezuela

MSF helps fight against malaria in Venezuela’s Sucre state

Project Update 29 Jun 2020
 
Giving birth in DeB
Afghanistan

MSF withdraws from Dasht-e-Barchi following attack on patients and staff

Press Release 15 Jun 2020
 
Giving birth in DeB
Afghanistan

“As midwives in Afghanistan, we are the silent leaders of our country.”

Voices from the Field 10 Jun 2020
 
Revolting attack on pregnant women and babies
Afghanistan

Fifteen mothers confirmed killed in Kabul maternity wing attack

Project Update 3 Jun 2020
 
Revolting attack on pregnant women and babies
Afghanistan

“They came to kill the mothers” in Kabul maternity hospital attack

Voices from the Field 14 May 2020
 
Revolting attack on pregnant women and babies
Afghanistan

Revolting attack on maternity ward kills pregnant women and babies in Afghanistan

Press Release 13 May 2020
 
Safe Abortion Colombia illustration
Colombia

Women and girls prevented from having a safe abortion

Press Release 25 Sep 2019
 
MSF worker sits with a female patient
Colombia

Unsafe abortion: women at risk

Report 25 Sep 2019
 
IRAQ - maternal health activities in Mosul - August 2019
Iraq

Mosul's expectant mothers just can't wait

Project Update 11 Sep 2019
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)