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Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Maternal Health
Honestly I didn't even know what the heck this meant until a couple of days ago. But after seeing that many of my fellow lady bloggers (here at Broadsides, and here at DAMMIT JANET!) were all in a flap about some Conservative flip flopping I started to pay closer attention. After many lattes at my local Starbucks and very sore eyeballs, I think I have a better grasp on what the flapping is about. According to the CBC, Steven Harper announced last year that Canada would "champion maternal and child health in developing countries". Smack me silly with a wet noodle-it seems the good ol' boy has gone and changed his mind. The Conservative government, my government, has struck down a motion to follow through and make good on aforementioned announcement as reported by the CBC:
A Liberal motion to include a broader range of family planning programs, including contraception, in a maternal health initiative for developing countries, was defeated 144-138 in the House of Commons Tuesday.
And I'm pissed.
I voted for the Conservatives in the last election as I was certain they would best represent me and my little corner of happiness in the world. How ignorant am I? Elections aren't just about what's going on hear in my own back yard, or across this great frozen land mass we Canucks call Canada. It's also about what my chosen party can do internationally and globally.
Take Earth Hour for instance. I would expect that any elected official recognize the importance of taking immediate and sustainable action to reduce the negative effects we are having on this planet. I would think in today's day and age it is political suicide to not participate in anything related to environmental causes. I reduce, reuse and recycle and have brought both of my kids up to do the same. I reinforce this to the primary kids I work with every day as part of 'Taking Care of Our World" model of behavior.
So if I can affix the importance of the environment to an election and put it's relevance at the top of my own political agenda, then why wasn't maternal health at the top of that list too? The World Health Organization has relevant and timely information on the subject including statistics and defines Maternal Health as:
Maternal health refers to the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. While motherhood is often a positive and fulfilling experience, for too many women it is associated with suffering, ill-health and even death.
The major direct causes of maternal morbidity and mortality include haemorrhage, infection, high blood pressure, unsafe abortion, and obstructed labour.
This surely is a topic women everywhere must familiarize themselves with; not only because it's in their own best interest but because it's global issue. As a white, middle class Canadian woman, I have access to many things women all over this world do not: clean, sanitary, accessible, informative, affordable health care. I can get birth control if I want it. I can have a Cesarean if I need it. I can have a midwife if I want one. I can receive emergency medical care if the need arises. I can go to the library and read up on all of these things while drinking a nice, clean glass of free water.
I am privileged.
Women around the world are dying during pregnancy and childbirth and the numbers are shocking. According to the Action Canada For Population And Development, there are more than 500, 000 deaths maternal deaths worldwide:
In many countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, complications from
