A recent UN report lays bare the stark realities of maternal mortality, spotlighting Pakistan, Nigeria, India, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo as bearing nearly half of the world’s 260,000 maternal deaths in 2023. While global declines in maternal mortality offer some hope, uneven progress across regions and the heavy toll of poverty, conflict, and underage marriages reveal deep-rooted challenges. With aid cuts threatening hard-won gains, the fight to save mothers and newborns demands urgent action and a broader vision for women’s health and empowerment.

In 2023, Pakistan joined Nigeria, India, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo as one of the four countries responsible for nearly half of the world’s 260,000 maternal deaths, according to a sobering UN report. The findings, shared in time for World Health Day, have sparked urgent concerns about the devastating effects of reduced aid funding from nations like the US and UK. The report, a collaboration between UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), and UNFPA, defines maternal deaths as those caused by complications during pregnancy or childbirth. It paints a stark picture: Nigeria alone bore the brunt with 75,000 deaths, making up 28.7% of the global total. India and the DRC each saw 19,000 deaths (7.2% each), while Pakistan recorded 11,000 (4.1%). Together, these nations accounted for 47% of all maternal deaths worldwide last year.

Despite a 40% drop in maternal mortality since 2000—thanks to better access to healthcare—the report warns that recent aid cuts threaten to unravel this progress. With funding shortages forcing cuts to critical maternal and child health services, the UN agencies are calling for immediate action, particularly in crisis-hit regions where death rates are already alarmingly high.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that while solutions exist to prevent most maternal deaths, pregnancy remains perilous in many parts of the world. Beyond quality maternity care, he stressed the need to bolster women’s health and reproductive rights to ensure safer pregnancies and healthier futures. The report also sheds light on the ripple effects of COVID-19, noting a spike in maternal deaths—40,000 in 2021, climbing to 282,000 in 2022, and reaching 322,000 in 2023. These losses stemmed not just from the virus itself but from widespread disruptions to maternity care, underscoring the need to safeguard these services during emergencies.

“A mother’s death during pregnancy or childbirth often puts her baby’s life in jeopardy, too,” said UNICEF’s Catherine Russell. “Far too many families lose both, even though we know how to prevent these tragedies.” She urged global leaders to prioritize funding for midwives, nurses, and community health workers, especially in vulnerable regions, to give every mother and newborn a fighting chance at survival.

The UN report reveals stark disparities in maternal mortality across regions and nations, with progress uneven at best. Between 2000 and 2023, global maternal deaths dropped by about 40%, with sub-Saharan Africa making notable strides. Alongside Australia/New Zealand and Central/Southern Asia, it was one of only three UN regions to see meaningful declines after 2015. Yet, sub-Saharan Africa still carried 70% of the world’s maternal deaths in 2023, weighed down by poverty and ongoing conflicts.

Meanwhile, progress stalled in five regions post-2015: Northern Africa/Western Asia, Eastern/South-Eastern Asia, Oceania (minus Australia/New Zealand), Europe/North America, and Latin America/Caribbean. Dr. Natalia Kanem, UNFPA’s Executive Director, called access to quality maternal care a fundamental right, not a luxury. She urged stronger health systems—better supply chains, more midwives, and detailed data to identify those most at risk—to end the heartbreak of preventable maternal deaths and their ripple effects on families.

The report also spotlights the dire risks faced by pregnant women in humanitarian crises, where nearly two-thirds of global maternal deaths now occur amid fragility or conflict. Beyond ensuring care during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum, it stresses improving women’s overall health through family planning and tackling conditions like anemia, malaria, and chronic diseases. Keeping girls in school and equipping them with health knowledge is equally vital.

A key driver of high maternal and infant mortality is the persistent issue of underage marriage. In Sindh, the Child Marriages Restraint Act of 2013 aimed to curb this, but enforcement remains spotty. Young brides face heightened pregnancy complications, often repeatedly, and are less likely to be educated or informed about their health and childbearing choices. This is compounded by scarce quality healthcare, especially in rural areas, and limited access to family planning, leaving women vulnerable to frequent, risky pregnancies. Universal healthcare remains a low priority for many governments.

As a WHO official noted, investing in maternal and newborn health isn’t a cost—it’s a boost to human potential. The path forward goes beyond better medical care. It means prioritizing girls’ education, ensuring they finish school, and empowering them with knowledge to make informed choices. Educated girls grow into women who can navigate health services, plan families, and contribute to stronger societies.

The path to ending preventable maternal deaths hinges on more than just healthcare—it requires a commitment to equity and empowerment. Strengthening health systems, expanding family planning, and confronting crises like underage marriage are critical steps. Above all, keeping girls in school and equipping them with knowledge can transform lives, enabling healthier choices and stronger communities. As the UN report underscores, investing in mothers and newborns isn’t just a moral imperative; it’s a foundation for a thriving future.