Topic:
Country: Germany
Delegate Name: Samantha Cross
World Health Organization
Maternal Mortality
Federal Republic of Germany
Samantha Cross
Forest Hills Eastern
Throughout the world, maternal mortality has remained a prevalent issue when dealing with birth and postpartum. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that 700 women die daily due to complications with pregnancy and childbirth. Failure of health systems, access to education, and socio-cultural norms are all examples of reasons women don’t receive the care they need. Although maternal mortality rates have dropped by 40% between 2000 and 2023, the UN reports that “the pace of improvement has slowed significantly since 2016, and an estimated 260,00 women died in 2023 due to complications during pregnancy and childbirth, or roughly one death every two minutes.” As of 2023, maternal mortality in Germany has been estimated that per 100,000 births, 4 women die. Maternal Mortality has been recognized by the UN as a human rights issue, and has established targets for reducing the issue. They also provide estimates and trends of maternal mortality to monitor progress, which is done through the Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG).
Germany recognizes the importance of stopping maternal mortality. Germany has committed 12 million euros to the Maternal and Newborn Health Fund until 2027, which is the UNFPA’s program to improve maternal and newborn health and ensuring everyone has access to sexual, reproductive, maternal, and newborn health and rights. Germany has also taken steps to improve prenatal care, by offering support and counseling to pregnant women, as well as prevention of diseases or unfavorable circumstances which could risk the lives of mother and child. Care is regulated by law and offers psychosocial and medical assistance for all pregnancies. Pregnant women in Germany are also encouraged to carry a maternity passport, which carries relevant information of the pregnancy and any of the expectant mothers personal risks. To help with expenses, Germany gives a tax-free maternity allowance around the time of birth to help with expenses, replaces a portion of a parent’s income for up to 14 months so they can take paternal leave without severe financial hardship (Parental Allowance), and a monthly payment, regardless of income, to help with expenses that come with raising a child. Germany has also passed the Maternity Protection Act, which protects pregnant women and new mothers in the workplace, during pregnancy, and while in university. Some of Germany’s international funding is spent on strengthening midwifery education and regulation in other countries, as well as providing midwives for their own citizens during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
The Federal Republic of Germany strongly advises the UN to take bigger action in ending maternal mortality through investing and promoting programs across the world, like midwifery education and access to quality maternal health services. Germany also wants to strengthen healthcare systems, including the improvement of emergency obstetric care, essential medicines, and reproductive health services both domestically and internationally through the United Nations Population Fund. Our goal is to ensure every woman across the world has access to quality care during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
