Sharp focus on maternal health

In a large corner of one of the open spaces at the Commonwealth Resort, Munyonyo, is a photo exhibition of armed conflict in Africa.

It is part of this year’s African Union (AU) Summit in Kampala, running from July 19-29.

The exhibition is a serialised collection of powerful images of people in armed conflict, especially women.

One of the photographs is of a women without limbs, noses and lips — cut off by rebel leader Joseph Kony during the 20-year war in northern Uganda.

Another one shows a man in pain. He is not looking into the camera because of shame, anger and pain: His daughter has been gang-raped as he looks on helplessly.

“Promoting maternal health requires prevention of conflict, as during such times there is limited access to health care,” said Florence Butegwa, the AU representative, United Nations Development Fund for Women.

The exhibition has photographs from both AU and Unifem projects across Africa.

It explores the influence of armed conflict on women in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Southern Sudan, Northern Uganda and the Central Africa Republic.

Rape is usually used as a war tool.

It sometimes leads to unwanted pregnancies and reproductive health consequences like gynaecological disorders and sexually transmitted diseases.

Lack of access to health care during armed conflict also leads to high-risk pregnancies and related problems like miscarriages, pre-term labour and foetal distress.

Maternal, infant and child health and development is the theme of the 15 AU Summit. This is in line with the declaration by the AU of “2010 as a year of peace.”

“Conflict worsens maternal mortality. If we can prevent it and pursue peace, we will contribute to the health and survival chances of women,” said Ms Butegwa.

The World Health Organisation says 1,500 women die everyday from pregnancy or childbirth related complications.

Every five minutes an African woman dies while giving birth.