According to the Mexican Ministry of Health’s latest records, the maternal mortality rate in the country has dropped by 13.5 points in the last 10 years. Despite this progress, women’s limited access to proper health services and the lack of timely and effective care meant that, between 2022 and 2023, more than 1,200 women died from preventable causes during pregnancy.
In this context, it is imperative to commit to a strategy of comprehensive awareness-raising among women, medical personnel, and society in general to allow us to make progress toward the eradication of these issues.
In order to transform this reality, Pro Mujer, in partnership with MSD, has launched Sana y Segura: Mi Salud Sexual y Reproductiva (Safe and Sound: My Sexual and Reproductive Health), a project that takes an innovative approach to reducing the levels of maternal mortality in Mexico by integrating a human rights perspective as a long-term strategy, focusing on education and awareness-raising among women and healthcare personnel in regard to the importance of the full exercise of sexual and reproductive rights.
Through an educational chat group (WhatsApp or Messenger) and a web page, users who are interested can learn more about their sexual and reproductive rights, family planning, and gender-based violence.
With emphasis on the states of Chiapas, Oaxaca, and Hidalgo, the project has managed to:
- promote digital education for women with respect to their sexual and reproductive rights and their connection to gender-based violence, reaching more than 300 chatbot sessions with women across the country;
- train healthcare providers in key issues for the correct implementation of sexual and reproductive health;
- reach vulnerable locations with high rates of gender-based violence and high rates of pregnancy complications and post-gestational complications. Over 30 health workers from the Trickle Up organization have received mentoring and training.
As part of Sana y Segura, in partnership with Medical Impact, free health days were held in the state of Hidalgo, providing more than 700 services to promote women’s sexual and reproductive health.
During the month of November, the itinerant health days took place in the municipalities of Tulancingo, Pachuca, Actopan, Huejutla, and Ixmiquilpan, areas of Mexico where the adolescent fertility rate is over 30% (Government of Mexico, 2021).
In support of free sexuality, reproductive capacity, and the prevention of unplanned pregnancies, the organizations have facilitated free access to a subdermal contraceptive implant, recognized as being 99% effective and of extended duration.
More than 160 women obtained this contraceptive method at no cost, the market value of which can reach $5,200 Mexican pesos. Economic barriers, in addition to a lack of knowledge and stigmas surrounding the issue, cause 18.5% of women to fail to meet their contraceptive needs (Government of Mexico).
In addition, in an effort to expand the health services provided and offer comprehensive support, attendees had access to rapid HIV testing, deworming, breast cancer awareness, and even educational and artistic services for children.
