More than half a million women die each year as a result of pregnancy-related complications. This brochure describes UNFPA's three-part strategy to prevent this tragic loss and some of the progress that is occurring in countries around the world. Improving maternal health is one of the eight internationally agreed on Millennium Development Goals and a top priority for UNFPA.

This booklet provides a snapshot of UNFPA's programming efforts to advance gender equality and empower women. It reports on activities undertaken in six priority areas, based on contributions from the global, regional and country levels over the course of two years (2007-2008).