The crucial moment to redress the appalling historical neglect of maternal mortality has arrived, concludes the Editorial introducing the Women Deliver Special Issue of The Lancet.
It says: "20 years ago, the Safe Motherhood Initiative was launched by WHO and others to help reduce the severe global burden of pregnancy-related illness and death. Sadly, today, most of that burden remains unchanged."
Weaving together the themes in the papers in the special issue, the Editorial calls for a new wave of 21st century activism to throw a bright light on the low status of women. It concludes: "The need is known as is the knowledge to fix it. More money exists than ever, and a range of existing global initiatives has yielded useful experiences and lessons. There can be no more excuses and no further delay. Women's rights are worth fighting for; their lives can and must be saved."
The Lancet