Let us pray for the health of women, children and families around the world, especially for an end to maternal and child mortality, that in building healthy families, all God’s people may be empowered to strengthen their communities and repair the breaches which divide nations and peoples.  Almighty and ever-living God, giver of life and love, and Sanctifier of all families: Protect the health and safety of all women in childbirth and the children whom they bear, and inspire your people to work for an end to the deadly conditions which fuel maternal and child mortality throughout the world; that, in building strong and healthy families and communities, all may be strengthened to do your will on earth until the day when you gather us into one heavenly family.  AMEN. Many people consider the day their child was born the happiest day in their life. In the world's wealthier countries, that is. In poorer countries, the day a child is born is all too often the day its mother dies. In high-fertility countries in sub-Saharan Africa, women have a one in 16 chance of dying in childbirth. In low-fertility countries in Europe, this number is one in 2,000 and in North America it's one in 3,500. Maternal and infant mortality is a prevalent issue that haunts the lives of thousands of women and children all over the world.  Infant and maternal mortality is the premature death of an infant or pregnant mother due to insufficient or lack of health care in their society. This is an issue that affects women in every country around the world, yet receives very little attention from the media. Mothers and children are the victims of a lack of care and knowledge that could save the lives of millions of women every year. At least half of the pregnant women of the world have no access to skilled care at childbirth, which can lead to complications and difficulty in the birth. This is most often what leads to the death and disabling of women and infants who experience childbirth. Indicators Target 5a: Reduce by three quarters the maternal mortality ratio 5.1 Maternal mortality ratio 5.2 Proportion of births attended by skilled health personnel Target 5b: Achieve, by 2015, universal access to reproductive health 5.3 Contraceptive prevalence rate 5.4 Adolescent birth rate 5.5 Antenatal care coverage (at least one visit and at least four visits) 5.6 Unmet need for family planning Fact Sheet for Goal 5 MDG Monitor for Goal 5 More information   Research: Millennium Project Report:    Who's got the power? Transforming health systems for women and children                                                        Millennium Campaign's page on Goal 5                                                        Maternal health View:   Choose to view several short videos on Reproductive Health, e.g. "Delivering Mobil Reproductive Health" at:  http://video.unfpa.org/ Read: Restoring Reproductive Health Services and Addressing Post-Traumatic Stress in Gaza 20 January 2009 In a visit to the Gaza Strip today, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced shock and anger at the ‘heartbreaking’ devastation, according to Reuters.