14 January 2013 – In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, as in other regions, women and newborn children are among the most vulnerable population groups. Ten countries are still at risk of not achieving Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 by 2015, and health indicators for these two population groups continue to be a cause for alarm in several countries of the Region.

Various harmful traditional practices contribute to maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality, including child marriage, early pregnancy and female genital mutilation. There are also social and cultural barriers that prevent women from accessing information and services on maternal and reproductive health.

Marital age is a critical driver of women’s health outcomes. Pressure to marry early and have many children double the risk of spontaneous abortion and increase the risk of losing a fetus by four times. In developing countries, complications of pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death in young women aged between 15 and 19 years.

The practice of female genital mutilation is still widespread in some countries of the Region. Studies show a prevalence of 98% in Somalia, 93% in Djibouti, and 91% in Egypt. The negative health impact of this practice is well known, and it is therefore alarming that studies reveal an increase in the medicalization of female genital mutilation. For instance in Egypt, 31.9% of female genital mutilation is performed by health professionals.