Reproductive Health
Ethiopia has among the highest fertility and maternal death rates in the world. Consider this awful fact: 1 out of every 7 Ethiopian women dies from pregnancy- or abortion-related complications. This preventable tragedy is ruining individual lives and families—as well as Ethiopia's future. Poor Access to ContraceptionOnly 13% of Ethiopian women—and only 4% in rural areas—use modern contraception. Yet studies show a clear majority—60%—approves of family planning. In fact, more than 45% of Ethiopian women and men would choose to space or limit childbearing if family planning services were available. Unfortunately, the U.S. Global Gag Rule has made desperately needed contraceptives even harder to obtain. Repeated Pregnancies at Short IntervalsWithout contraception, early marriage forces village girls into motherhood at a very young age, long before they gain an education or income-earning skills. Over 40% of girls are mothers before they turn 19. And repeated pregnancies undermine their health and families for years. During a typical 42-year life span, an Ethiopian woman bears an average of 6 children—often without prenatal care, often without hope of her infants' survival. Not surprisingly, early childbearing, short birth intervals, and having more than 4 children greatly increase her likelihood of childbirth complications and death. Life-Threatening ChildbirthUnassisted childbirth is both common and risky, especially when women suffer obstructed labor caused by FGM injuries—still inflicted on virtually all Ethiopian women. Only 1 in 20 women gives birth in a health facility; only a slightly higher 6% are assisted by skilled personnel. Consequently, the maternal death rate is staggering. In 2005, 850 Ethiopian women died per 100,000 live births (compared to 14 such deaths among U.S. women). Deadly Backyard AbortionOver half the women seeking abortions in Ethiopia are under 18. Unwanted pregnancy is a nightmare for young, unmarried women, who may be thrown out of home, drop out of school, and then risk exposure to HIV in commercial sex work. Yet safe abortion—legal only in cases of rape, incest, or the endangered health of mother or fetus—is not an option for most. Sadly, backyard abortions remain the second biggest killer of women in Ethiopia. For every 100,000 live births, over 90 women die from unsafe abortions, one of the highest rates in the world. More statistics about reproductive health in Ethiopia Call to ActionTo lift up Ethiopians' reproductive health and rights, please help us:
|