Maternal and Reproductive Health Services: Supporting the Health of Refugee Mothers
Introduction/Overview
Maternal and Reproductive Health Services encompass comprehensive healthcare programs designed to support the health and well-being of refugee and displaced women. These services focus on prenatal, postnatal care, family planning, reproductive health education, and access to essential nutritional support. In crisis and displacement situations, maternal and reproductive health is often compromised due to limited access to healthcare services, posing risks to both mothers and their children.
At Refugee Pathways & Integration Canada (RefPIC), we are committed to providing maternal and reproductive health services to ensure that refugee women receive the care they need before, during, and after pregnancy. Our programs provide access to health check-ups, nutritional support, family planning services, and reproductive health education to promote the well-being of mothers and children. We aim to reduce maternal mortality rates and ensure that women have access to safe and reliable healthcare.
This approach aligns with key international frameworks:
Global Compact on Refugees (2018), which emphasizes the need for gender-sensitive health services for refugees, including maternal and reproductive health.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3, 5), focusing on ensuring healthy lives, gender equality, and promoting the well-being of all, including refugee women and children.
United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW, 1979), which guarantees women’s rights to healthcare, including reproductive and maternal health services.
A Vision for Maternal and Reproductive Health
At Refugee Pathways & Integration Canada (RefPIC), we envision a world where refugee and displaced women have access to the comprehensive healthcare services they need to ensure safe pregnancies and healthy lives for themselves and their children. We believe that maternal and reproductive health is a fundamental right and that every woman deserves access to quality healthcare regardless of their displacement status.
Our programs aim to provide prenatal and postnatal care, family planning services, and reproductive health education that empower women to make informed decisions about their health and the health of their children. Through a combination of preventative care, health education, and nutritional support, we ensure that refugee women can achieve safe, healthy pregnancies and have access to the care they need throughout motherhood.
How We Deliver This Vision: Comprehensive Maternal and Reproductive Health Services
RefPIC’s Maternal and Reproductive Health Services are designed to address the specific health needs of refugee and displaced women.
We work with healthcare providers, nutritionists, and community health workers to provide essential maternal healthcare, ensuring that women have access to the resources they need to protect their health and the health of their children.
Key components of our Maternal and Reproductive Health Services programs include:
Prenatal and Postnatal Care: Offering regular health check-ups, medical screenings, and nutritional support to ensure the well-being of mothers and babies before and after birth.
Family Planning Services: Providing access to contraception, reproductive health education, and counseling to empower women to make informed decisions about family planning.
Reproductive Health Education: Delivering education on reproductive rights, safe pregnancy practices, and maternal health, empowering women with the knowledge they need to protect their health.
Nutritional Support: Ensuring that women have access to essential nutritional services during pregnancy and post-pregnancy to promote healthy maternal outcomes.
Access to Healthcare Providers: Connecting women with trained healthcare professionals, including obstetricians, midwives, and community health workers, who provide ongoing care and support.
Why Maternal and Reproductive Health Services Matter
For refugee and displaced women, access to maternal and reproductive health services is critical to ensuring safe pregnancies and healthy children. Many women in refugee settings face significant barriers to healthcare, including limited access to medical professionals, nutrition, and family planning resources. Without these essential services, maternal mortality rates rise, and the health of newborns is often compromised.
At RefPIC, we understand the importance of providing maternal healthcare to women in need, and we are committed to reducing maternal mortality and improving health outcomes for mothers and children. By offering access to prenatal care, postnatal care, and family planning services, we help ensure that women can experience safe pregnancies, access critical health services, and build healthier futures for themselves and their families.
Looking Ahead: Expanding Maternal and Reproductive Health Services
As RefPIC expands its maternal and reproductive health programs, we are committed to providing refugee women with increased access to the healthcare services they need. Through prenatal and postnatal care, nutritional support, and family planning services, we aim to ensure that every woman can experience a healthy pregnancy and receive the care and support she needs as a mother.
Our Triple Nexus Approach—integrating humanitarian aid, development, and peacebuilding—ensures that our maternal and reproductive health programs contribute to long-term resilience, gender equality, and improved health outcomes for women and children.
What We Aim to Achieve
Our primary goals in promoting the maternal and reproductive health of refugee and displaced women include:
Providing Prenatal and Postnatal Care: Ensure that women receive health check-ups, medical screenings, and nutritional support during pregnancy and post-pregnancy.
Offering Family Planning Services: Provide access to contraception, reproductive health education, and counseling to empower women with choices about family planning.
Delivering Reproductive Health Education: Equip women with knowledge about their reproductive rights, maternal health, and safe pregnancy practices.
Ensuring Nutritional Support: Provide access to essential nutritional services to support healthy maternal outcomes.
Connecting Women with Healthcare Providers: Ensure that women have access to trained healthcare professionals who can provide ongoing care and support.
How We Deliver Impact
Prenatal and Postnatal Care: RefPIC provides comprehensive health check-ups, medical screenings, and nutritional support to ensure the well-being of both mothers and babies before and after birth.
Family Planning Services: Our programs offer access to contraception, reproductive health education, and counseling to empower women to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.
Reproductive Health Education: We deliver education on reproductive rights, maternal health, and safe pregnancy practices to ensure women have the knowledge they need to protect their health.
Nutritional Support: RefPIC ensures that pregnant and postnatal women have access to essential nutritional services that promote healthy outcomes for both mother and child.
Access to Healthcare Providers: We connect women with trained healthcare providers, including obstetricians, midwives, and community health workers, who provide ongoing care and support.
Who Benefits
Refugee and Displaced Women: Women benefit from access to prenatal care, postnatal care, family planning services, and reproductive health education, ensuring the safety and well-being of themselves and their children.
Newborns and Infants: Babies benefit from their mothers receiving proper prenatal and postnatal care, ensuring a healthy start to life.
Host Communities: Host communities benefit from improved maternal health services, promoting the well-being of refugee mothers and their families.
International Stakeholders: Governments, NGOs, and international organizations benefit from improved maternal health outcomes and reduced maternal mortality in refugee settings.
Governance, Oversight, and Accountability
At Refugee Pathways & Integration Canada (RefPIC), we uphold the highest standards of governance, oversight, and accountability across all our programs. As a registered nonprofit, we operate in full compliance with the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act and adhere to guidelines set by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for charities. This ensures transparency, accountability, and alignment with national laws.
In addition to federal compliance, RefPIC adheres to provincial nonprofit regulations where we operate, both within Canada and internationally. Where necessary, we incorporate separately in different jurisdictions to ensure we meet local legal requirements. This enables us to operate effectively across regions while maintaining the highest levels of accountability and legal compliance.
National and Provincial Compliance: RefPIC strictly follows Canadian laws governing nonprofit organizations, ensuring transparency, financial accountability, and ethical standards. By complying with federal and provincial nonprofit regulations, we meet all legal requirements in the regions we serve.
International Standards and Frameworks: RefPIC's work is further guided by international laws and frameworks that protect refugee rights and promote sustainable development. We align our programs with global best practices to ensure our initiatives serve refugees and displaced persons effectively.
Strong Accountability Practices: We collaborate with local, national, and international stakeholders to ensure responsible resource management and effective service delivery. Through regular evaluations, transparent reporting, and continuous improvement, RefPIC ensures that our programs meet the immediate needs of refugees while contributing to long-term sustainable outcomes.
For more details, visit our Governance, Oversight, and Accountability page to learn more about our commitment to ethical practices, program evaluation, and compliance with legal frameworks.
Get Involved/Call to Action
Support Maternal and Reproductive Health Services: Advocate for reproductive rights and support RefPIC’s efforts to provide comprehensive maternal and reproductive health services to refugee women.
Volunteer: Join our programs by providing healthcare services, nutritional support, or family planning counseling for women.
Partner with Us: Collaborate with RefPIC to expand maternal health services and ensure that refugee women have access to the care they need.
Donate: Your contributions help fund essential prenatal care, postnatal care, and family planning services, ensuring that refugee mothers and their children receive the support they need.