War Widows' Right to Maternal Health

Challenge

Conflict has left thousands of women widowed, poor, and without access to safe maternal care. Many deliver at home without skilled support, increasing deaths from preventable causes such as hemorrhage, infection, and obstructed labor. Widows often face stigma and lack resources to pay for transport or services. Without urgent support, pregnancy continues to place war widows at extreme risk, trapping them in a cycle of poverty, grief, and preventable loss of life.

Solution

This project will provide widows with access to safe antenatal care, skilled delivery, and postnatal services through clinics and mobile health camps. Trained attendants will be placed in hard-to-reach areas, while emergency referrals will be supported for high-risk cases. Widows will receive maternal health supplies and counseling, reducing risks of death and complications. By removing cost and access barriers, the project creates safe pregnancy pathways for mothers left vulnerable by conflict.

Long-Term Impact

With access to safe maternal care, widows in war-torn regions will face fewer preventable deaths, reducing Nigeria's high maternal mortality rate.Healthier mothers mean stronger families and improved survival chances for newborns. Training local birth attendants builds lasting capacity, creating a network of care that can serve beyond the project's duration. Over time, widows will gain confidence in health systems,reducing reliance on unsafe home births and contributing to healthier communities.

Resources

• https:/​/​emecr.org