THE 5TH FREEDOM

Women in developing countries suffer considerable moribidity and morta lity dire to inability to control their own fertility and lack of acce ss to family planning services. Over 500,000 deaths each year are rela ted to pregnancy. Two thirds of these maternal deaths could be prevent ed by providing contraception to those women who wish to use it in dev eloping countries. There is no tenable ethical defence of cultural and religious behaviour which denies a woman a choice as to whether she w ill undertake a pregnancy or not. Implementation of the principles of the programme of action from the 1994 Cairo Population Conference woul d, through empowering women to control their own fertility, have a hug e impact on maternal health in the developing world.