Women's rights are Human rights: A case study of pregnancy-associated deaths in Virginia

Around the world over, the chances of dying from pregnancy-related causes are disproportionately higher for poor women and racial/ethnic minorities, suggesting a multi-dimensional system of structural inequality that places some women at higher risks for adverse outcomes. This is a case-study of pregnancy-associated deaths (PAD) that occurred in Virginia. Data was obtained from Virginia’s Maternal Mortality Review Team and the sample contained 309 women who died from a violent or natural PAD. Violent deaths were defined as those in which the manner of death was homicide, suicide, or an accidental overdose. These were compared to the 12 natural causes of deaths, such as embolism or cardiac disorder. Information about the women’s lives were also examined, such as whether the pregnancy was wanted, if domestic violence occurred, life stressors, and her economic status. Result showed that 13% of women in the sample were murdered, which was larger than any single natural cause of death. Nearly 60% of the homicide victims were Black and homicide was the leading manner of death for this group. Results showed that not only was the decedents’ right to life violated, but that gender-based violence was a contributing factor in 89% of the homicides, many decedents experienced denials of economic rights, and that the tenants of reproductive justice were violated for almost all the women in the sample. A theoretical model of human rights is presented and implications for improving women’s health through universal human rights are discussed.