| In 2000 world leaders signed up to the Millennium Development Goals, promising to reduce the number of mothers dying in poor countries by three quarters by 2015. In too many countries there has been virtually no progress towards this goal and in some countries the situation is getting even worse.
The WI believes that to tackle maternal mortality, women's rights must be at the heart of the issue. Funding for maternal health initiatives must ensure not only that pregnant women have access to health services, but also that all women and girls have access to an education and family planning information.
With the support of the British government this could become a reality. The Millennium Development Goals Review Summit in New York in September 2010 brought much needed media attention and fresh promises from the Government, including expanding its work on maternal and child health and increasing aid in this area. But, we still need to ensure leaders follow through on their commitments.
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