Human Rights Day commemorates December 10th, 1948, when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted. This day holds a special place in Soroptimist International’s history, from 1981, when SI President Catherine Salt chose a project on the island of Pulau Bidong, Malaysia, to help refugee women and children.
This year on Human Rights Day, December 10th, I would like to invite Soroptimists worldwide to join together to support a very special project under our international programme of work, “Educate to Lead”. Read more about Soroptimist International President Alice Wells’ message online »
Birthing in the Pacific: December 10th Appeal
Goal: Increasing skills, Further Educating Birth Attendants, and improving facilities to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity
In resource poor countries, only 36% of births are attended by skilled health care worker. Less than 30% of women have a supervised delivery in a health facility. Increasing access to supervised de- liveries and properly functioning health care facili- ties for women to deliver greatly reduces the risk of dying from complications. Most maternal deaths occur in the 24-48 hours surrounding delivery, where a correctly chosen suite of interventions can be most effective.
Working with relevant partners under the leadership of Soroptimist International of the to support the roll-out of four levels of educational programmes for birth attendants:
1. Pacific Emergency Obstetric Care courses for trained clinicians
2. Learning exchange programmes for midwives
3. Maternal health competency programme for Community Health Workers
4. Literacy and reproductive health education for Village Birth Attendants