A new program that seeks to reduce maternal mortality was launched yesterday by   Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) Rwanda, an advocacy and campaign group set up to accelerate achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s).

The Gender Cluster Coordinator in the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, Egidia Rukundo, hailed GCAP Rwanda for the initiative and called upon stakeholders to mobilise and motivate Rwandans to end maternal deaths.

"I hope this campaign will take a big step towards ending maternal mortality rates in the country,” Rukundo said.

Speaking during the launch, the Communications Coordinator for Africa/UN millennium campaign, Sylvia Mudasia Mwiculi said maternal death is still a big a challenge to the continent of Africa.

"Rwanda has made a significant progress on Gender equality and empowerment of Women as one of the MDG’s,” Mwiculi said.

In an interview with The New Times, Rene’ Niyonteze, GCAP Rwanda Coordinator, requested the Rwandan Government to increase the number of skilled health personnel, especially in rural areas.

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