In September 2000, the Millennium Declaration endorsed by the heads of State and Government across the world, resolved to reduce maternal mortality by three quarters, of their current rates.1 In addition, as part of the 2005 World Summit Outcome heads of State, committed to achieve universal access to reproductive health by 2015, as set out at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD),2 integrating this goal in strategies to attain the internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration, aimed at reducing maternal mortality, improving maternal health, reducing child mortality, promoting gender equality, combating HIV/AIDS and eradicating poverty.
