Reproductive health

Goals, objectives and strategies

The Millennium Development Goals provide the new international framework for measuring progress towards sustaining development and eliminating poverty. Of the eight goals, three – improve maternal health, reduce child mortality and combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases- are directly related to reproductive and sexual health, while four others – eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, achieve universal primary education, promote gender equality and empower women, and ensure environmental sustainability – have a close relationship with health, including reproductive health Among the specific targets are:

  • To reduce by three quarters, between 1990 and 2015, the maternal mortality ratio.
  • To reduce by two thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate.
  • To have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse, the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Regional objectives:

Reproductive health:
  • To improve access to the full range of affordable, equitable and high-quality family planning and reproductive health services to increase contraceptive use rate and reduce unwanted pregnancies and abortions.
Making pregnancy safer:
  • To support countries and areas in developing evidence-based policies and strategies for the reduction of maternal and newborn mortality.
  • To improve access to the full range of affordable, equitable and high-quality family planning and reproductive health services to increase contraceptive use rate and reduce unwanted pregnancies.
  • To improve the health and nutrition status of women of all ages, especially pregnant and nursing women.
Gender, women and health:
  • To integrate gender and rights considerations into health policy and programmes, especially into reproductive health and maternal health care.
  • To improve the health and nutrition status of women of all ages, especially pregnant and nursing women.

Contact

Dr Hiromi Obara
Medical Officer
Reproductive Health
Maternal, Child Health and Nutrition
obarah@wpro.who.int