International Day of Action for Women's Health

May 28, 1992

Campaign for the Prevention of Maternal Mortality and Morbidity

The decision to start the campaign on Women's Health was first taken at the fifth International and Health Meeting (IWHM) in Costa Rica in May1987. At the members' meeting of the Women's Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR), which took place on May 28,1987, after the IWHM, May 28 was chosen as the International Day of Action for Women's Health.

Since then. May 28 has become the day on which an increasing number of women's groups and national and regional Women's Health Networks organize a variety of activities focusing on different aspects of the campaign and women's health. For many groups May 28 is the start of new activities that continue for a long time. For others it is the culmination of discussions, meetings and the development of plans that precede May 28.

In 1988 the central focus of the campaign was Maternal Mortality. Since 1989, Maternal Morbidity has also been included. In the fourth call for action in 1991, special attention was given to the role of Health Services.

This year the call for action is focused on the issue of Teenage Pregnancies, which is another important cause of maternal mortality and morbidity.

Special call for information on teenage pregnancies

The WGNRR who is coordinating the campaign would like to receive articles about teenage pregnancies and about existing or proposed policies on the subject. It would also like to find out details of projects set up for or by teenage women on reproductive health, pregnancy, sexuality, contraception, abortion, special services for teenagers, etc. It plans to publish some of these materials in their newsletter and in (he campaign report at the end of the year.

Campaign sponsors

This year's sponsors are the Latin American and Caribbean Women's Health Network, Isis International, Chile; Association of African Women for Research and Development; Catholics for a Free Choice; Women Living under Muslim Laws; Women's International Public Health Network; Boston Women's Health Collective; and Isis International Philippines.

What you can do

• Use the International Day of Action to publicize the causes and consequences of teenage pregnancies. Explain what changes are necessary to give teenage girls a better chance in life.

• Join women's groups and women's health networks around the world in organizing activities on May 28.

• Get copies of the call for action leaflets for distribution in your country and translate it into your local language.

Join the campaign and join all the other women's health groups that are fighting for a better and healthier life for women.