Guatemala: Protect Indigenous Mothers
As part of Health Poverty Action's Mothers on the Margins campaign, we are calling on the Guatemalan Government to make sure indigenous women in Guatemala do not die needlessly before, during or just after childbirth.
Indigenous women are three times more likely to die in pregnancy or childbirth than non-indigenous women in Guatemala. Discrimination, cultural, financial and physical barriers all contribute to this shocking statistic.
Guatemalan health authorities are trying to address these problems. But they need a clearer understanding of the problems indigenous women face. This can only be achieved by collecting data that is broken down into ethnicity or language, so they can provide culturally appropriate maternal care.
Health Poverty Action will present the petition to the Government of Guatemala. Sign now and urge the Guatemalan government to protect indigenous mothers.
Dear Minister,
I am writing to ask the Guatemalan Government to do more to prioritise indigenous women's maternal health. It is vital that these
Mothers on the Margins have access to appropriate maternal health services so they do not die needlessly just because they are pregnant. The charity Health Poverty Action reports that, in Guatemala, maternal mortality rates for indigenous women are three times higher than for non-indigenous women. Guatemala is already taking positive action, which is welcome, but more can still be done.
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Please do all you can to:
- Collect data according to "ethnicity" or "maternal language" in order to identify the health needs of different ethnic groups.
- Introduce the option of "vertical birth" (with relevant training and safeguards in place) in line with traditional Maya practice, in all health centres.
