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The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada calls for more international attention and links between women’s maternal health and HIV/AIDS

Quebec, Quebec – June 16, 2005 – “What we have learned about gender mainstreaming is that it is death for women, “stated Mr. Stephen Lewis, UN Special Envoy to Africa on HIV/AIDS, to a standing-room-only conference at The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) International Women’s Health Symposium. The event is part of the SOGC’s Annual Clinical Meeting held in Quebec City between June 16 th and June 22 nd , 2005. “It wasn’t that we didn’t know 10 years ago what to do about the 500, 000 women dying each year – it is that we didn’t act.”

In many countries of the world, surviving pregnancy and childbirth remains a major challenge. Each year, half a million women die from pregnancy and childbirth, 4 million children die as newborns, and another 7 million die before their fifth birthday. The theme of this year’s international symposium was the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the challenges and opportunities they represent for women’s health – specifically maternal and child health.

“The quest for safe motherhood under the MDG is compromised by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, but more importantly gender inequality,” continued Lewis.

Dr. André Lalonde, Executive Vice President of the SOGC explains, “Women – particularly young and poor women – face a dismal health reality, especially in the developing world. Globally, the MDGs are our commitment to work toward maternal and child health reproductive health and to continue working to address the mammoth pandemic of HIV/AIDS. Professional associations like the SOGC have a critical role in responding to these global challenges. They have the knowledge, the leadership, the social and economic capacity to save the lives of women.”

The SOGC delivers an international program called ALARM to train trainers on emergency care obstetrics and preventions.

The vast majority of these deaths take place in poor countries, and mostly among the poorest sections of the population. Compounded to this reality is the changing face of the HIV/AID epidemic which is increasingly becoming young and female. For example, in Sub-Saharan Africa, 57 per cent of adults with HIV are women, and young women aged 15 to 24 are more than three times as likely to be infected as young men. Fundamental to the achievement of all of the MDGs related to maternal and child health and HIV/AIDS is the promotion of gender equality and empowerment. Integration of reproductive health and HIV/AIDS services is also extremely important. The improvement of sexual and reproductive health is essential for achieving the MDGs, especially those related to maternal health and HIV/AIDS.

“For me it all has to do with gender. For me it all has to do with how we treat women. If 20 years ago we had an issue on male mortality we would have solved it,“ Mr. Lewis spoke passionately about the issue of gender, and his voice wavered as he discussed how unprepared he was to witness women dying in Africa, and the way African women are mistreated in general.

The SOGC reiterates its position: in order to save mothers’ lives we must address gender inequality.

About the SOGC

Founded in 1944, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada is comprised of over 2,700 professional members, including gynaecologists, obstetricians, family physicians, nurses, midwives and allied health professionals. A leading authority on reproductive health care, the SOGC produces national guidelines for both public and medical education on important women's health issues. The Society's mission is to promote optimal women's health through leadership, collaboration, education, research and advocacy in the practice of obstetrics and gynaecology.

Last Updated April 19, 2007