Give grants to expectant moms: Amnesty

Amnesty researcher Louise Carmody told journalists in Johannesburg the money could come in handy during the ante-natal period.

 

Carmody said pregnant women in impoverished nations needed the grant because finding employment was difficult during pregnancy.

 

The nutritious food they needed was expensive, as was the cost of transport to clinics for ante-natal care.

 

She was speaking at a media briefing where the organisation released a report on maternal health in South Africa.

 

The report revealed that the number of pregnant women and girls who died each year was still extremely high.

 

Amnesty International secretary general Salil Shetty described the situation as "shocking".

 

The report revealed that 1560 maternal deaths occurred in 2011 and 1426 in 2012.