Safe Motherhood

Supporting Information

Being able to read and write helps women protect their own and their family's health. Girls who have at least seven years of schooling are less likely to become pregnant during adolescence and are more likely to marry later than those with little or no education.

A nutritious diet during childhood and adolescence reduces problems in pregnancy and childbirth. A nutritious diet includes beans and other pulses, grains, green leafy vegetables, and red/yellow/orange vegetables and fruits. Whenever possible, milk or other dairy products, eggs, fish, chicken and meat should be included.

Genital cutting of girls or women can cause serious vaginal and urinary infections that can result in sterility and death. Female genital cutting can also cause dangerous complications during childbirth and mental health problems for girls and women.