Start with Her: UNFPA Strategy for Reproductive, Maternal and Newborn Health and Well-Being 2025–2030

Nearly 800 women die every day from preventable maternal causes, and in 2022 alone, an estimated 2.3 million newborns died. For every maternal death, countless more women endure life-altering injuries, infections, and disabilities related to childbirth. 

Maternal deaths are concentrated in the poorest regions and conflict-affected areas. In 2020, sub-Saharan Africa accounted for nearly 70% of all maternal deaths, with just 22 countries responsible for 81% of the global total. Humanitarian crises and fragile health systems exacerbate these challenges, with maternal mortality rates in crisis-affected areas often double the global average. The barriers to progress are multifaceted, including inadequate funding, poor-quality healthcare, harmful gender and social norms, and critical gaps in data and accountability.

To address these challenges, the UNFPA Strategy for Reproductive, Maternal, and Newborn Health and Well-Being builds on decades of experience, including the success of its flagship Maternal and Newborn Health Fund. The strategy aims to drive progress on the SDGS and the Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere programme coverage targets.  It adopts an integrated approach that places maternal and newborn health and well-being within sexual and reproductive health and rights. For the first time, the strategy also introduces a focus on maternal well-being, ensuring women not only survive childbirth but thrive afterward.

The strategy prioritises countries with the highest maternal mortality and marginalized populations, ensuring no one is left behind. Its human rights-based and gender-transformative approach recognizes the interconnected nature of health outcomes. 

The strategy focuses on four core priorities:

1. COMMIT: to a financial, legal and policy environment conducive to integrated reproductive, maternal and newborn health and well-being by increasing sustainable financing and national laws, policies and programmes.

2. DELIVER: access to quality reproductive, maternal and newborn health services through strengthened, more resilient and integrated health systems by advancing midwifery models of care and expanding maternal commodities. 

3. EMPOWER: women and communities to be active agents of change to exercise their rights to reproductive, maternal and newborn health by  increasing engagement, social action and accountability.

4. LEVERAGE: data to drive impact and accountability by strengthening data systems.

The UNFPA Strategy for Reproductive, Maternal, and Newborn Health and Well-Being is a bold response to the inequalities driving maternal and newborn deaths. By integrating reproductive, maternal and newborn health, gender equality, and human rights, it addresses the root causes of these preventable tragedies. Through targeted interventions, sustainable financing, investing in midwifery, essential commodities and community empowerment, UNFPA is working to ensure that no woman or newborn is left behind and that every childbirth is safe, every pregnancy is wanted, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.