International Women's Health Programme

Our Program

Safe Motherhood refers to a woman's ability to access the care she needs to be safe and healthy throughout her pregnancy and childbirth, and to deliver a healthy baby.

In the late 1980's, health indicators revealed that while there had been significant gains around the world in areas such as infant mortality and life expectancy, rates of maternal mortality remained dire. These international discussions highlighted the need to work toward skilled attendance at birth and access to quality emergency obstetrical care services in safe motherhood and newborn health initiatives. Almost all deaths as a result of pregnancy and childbirth are avoidable since up to 80% of maternal deaths result from one of five well understood and relatively common obstetric complications. All of these complications can be readily treated with existing inexpensive medical or surgical interventions.

Canadian health care professionals, including many past and current members of SOGC, have a long tradition of working internationally. SOGC’s organizational involvement in international health began when it hosted the 1994 FIGO World Congress in Montreal, during which there were many discussions on rates of maternal deaths and disabilities in low resource countries.  At the Congress, the SOGC initiated a Fellowship program which facilitated the participation of 54 ob/gyns from 34 developing countries.  

In 1995, the SOGC established the Society’s International Women's Health Committee. By 1998, the SOGC had integrated within its mission the importance of pursuing excellence in international women’s health and working toward reducing maternal mortality and morbidity worldwide.   The SOGC allocated resources for the development of an international program.  In 2000, the Society prioritized international health within its five-year strategic plan. In 2003, it integrated infants into its scope of intervention, in recognition of evidence of links between healthy mothers and healthy newborns.

Last Updated August 7, 2006