Start With Her For Better Future: UNFPA’s 2025–2030 Roadmap for Maternal and Newborn Well-Being
Every day, nearly 800 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, and in 2022 alone, an estimated 2.3 million newborns died. For every maternal death, countless more women endure life-altering injuries, infections, and disabilities related to childbirth. Maternal deaths are concentrated in the poorest regions and conflict-affected areas.
In 2020, sub-Saharan Africa accounted for nearly 70% of all maternal deaths, with just 22 countries responsible for 81% of the global total. Humanitarian crises and fragile health systems exacerbate these challenges, with maternal mortality rates in crisis-affected areas often double the global average. The barriers to progress are multifaceted, including inadequate funding, poor-quality healthcare, harmful gender and social norms, and critical gaps in data and accountability.
To address these challenges, the UNFPA has launched the “Start with Her” strategy, aiming to transform reproductive, maternal, and newborn health and well-being from 2025 to 2030. This initiative builds upon decades of experience and emphasises an integrated approach that places maternal and newborn health within the broader context of sexual and reproductive health and rights. Notably, it introduces a focus on maternal well-being, ensuring women not only survive childbirth but thrive afterward.
The strategy outlines four core priorities:
- Commit: Foster a supportive financial, legal, and policy environment by increasing sustainable financing and implementing national laws, policies, and programs conducive to integrated reproductive, maternal, and newborn health.
- Deliver: Enhance access to quality health services through strengthened, resilient, and integrated health systems by advancing midwifery models of care and expanding maternal health commodities.
- Empower: Encourage women and communities to be active agents of change, enabling them to exercise their rights to reproductive, maternal, and newborn health by increasing engagement, social action, and accountability.
- Leverage: Utilise data to drive impact and accountability by strengthening data systems.
In Bangladesh, maternal health has seen significant improvements over the past decades. The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) decreased from 434 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2000 to 173 in 2017, representing a 60% reduction. However, challenges persist, particularly in rural areas where access to skilled birth attendants remains limited. Approximately 71% of births in Bangladesh take place at home, with only 4% attended by a skilled provider.
The “Start with Her” strategy’s emphasis on empowering women and communities aligns with the need to address these disparities. By promoting midwifery models of care and strengthening health systems, the strategy aims to ensure that no woman or newborn is left behind. This approach is particularly relevant for Bangladesh, where investing in midwifery and community engagement can bridge existing gaps in maternal and newborn health services.
Moreover, the strategy’s focus on creating a supportive financial, legal, and policy environment is crucial for addressing barriers such as inadequate funding and harmful social norms. By advocating for sustainable financing and the implementation of supportive policies, the strategy seeks to create an environment where women’s sexual and reproductive health rights are upheld, and their well-being is prioritised.
UNFPA’s “Start with Her” strategy offers a comprehensive framework to tackle the root causes of preventable maternal and newborn deaths. Its integrated approach, focusing on health services, community empowerment, and systemic change, holds promise for countries like Bangladesh striving to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes.
Download “Start with Her” Strategy Paper
Source: UNFPA
