Call for submissions for Human Rights Council report on maternal mortality and morbidity

In the fall of 2012, the UN Human Rights Council adopted resolution 21/6 entitled ‘Preventable Maternal Mortality and Morbidity and Human Rights’ – the fourth annual resolution on this issue.  Resolution 21/6 welcomed the technical guidance (TG) on the application of a human rights-based approach to the implementation of policies and programmes to reduce preventable maternal mortality and morbidity developed by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) with deep engagement of and input from civil society.  The TG is attached – it is an excellent resource for advocacy and cooperation with governments towards improving maternal health and indeed realizing sexual and reproductive rights more broadly. 

Resolution 21/6 called upon governments and other stakeholders to disseminate the TG and apply it to policies and programmes, and it asked the OHCHR to prepare a report on how the TG has been applied, in time for the September 2014 session of the Council.  In preparation, the OHCHR has circulated the attached note verbale (in English, Spanish and French) requesting information on dissemination of the TG; its application in developing, reviewing and evaluating policies and programmes; its role in advancing a human rights-based approach; and challenges faced in implementing it.  Suggested length of submissions is 5 pages or less; they must be sent to registry@ohchr.org by 7 March 2014.  Please refer to attached note verbale for details.  

Please consider:

• Sharing this information with your local, national, regional and global networks 
• Making a submission; this report will be critical for emphasizing the value of the TG and for encouraging greater use of it, especially by governments 
• Engaging in dialogue with your government about making a submission and about the TG in general

Queries about the note verbale, submissions etc should be directed to Lucinda O’Hanlon at lohanlon@ohchr.org.  Please contact Neha Sood (neha@acpd.ca) or Sandeep Prasad (sandeep@acpd.ca) with thoughts or questions regarding strategy in relation to submissions.