Maternal mortality from a human rights perspective: A case study of North-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Nigerian women, especially those from the North-East sub-region continue to suffer preventable maternal mortality. Recent statistics places Nigeria as the highest contributor of maternal deaths globally. These avoidable deaths disproportionately affect women from the North-East due to socio-economic inequalities that are discriminatory. More so, the low socio-economic status of women in the region has been further worsened by humanitarian crisis with attendant increase in the incidence of maternal mortality. Maternal mortality has been framed a human rights issue that can be mitigated through a human rights-based approach. Thus this research engages with a multi-disciplinary approach in uncovering the factors that contribute to the worrisome statistics of maternal deaths in the North-East and investigates through a human rights-based perspective the need for a holistic approach to ending preventable maternal deaths in the sub-region. Findings reveal many interrelated socio-economic factors intersect to inflame the continued tragedy of maternal mortality in the region. For the North-East to break the negative cycle of maternal mortality, a holistic approach is imperative considering the complexities of the predispositions to maternal mortality, the socio-economic reality of the region and the inadequacies of legal framework.