Sierra Leone: Secretary General Irene Khan visits country to demand reduction in maternal deaths

15 September 2009

Sierra Leone: Secretary General Irene Khan visits country to demand reduction in maternal deaths

Amnesty International’s Secretary General Irene Khan will lead a high level mission to Sierra Leone from 18 to 25 September 2009 to launch a campaign to reduce maternal deaths in that country, which has one of the highest maternal death rates in the world.

During her first visit to Sierra Leone, Irene Khan will meet with senior government representatives – including the President, and the Ministers of Health, Finance and Gender; civil society representatives, women’s groups, international donors, diplomats and members of the United Nations. The delegation will also visit hospitals and meet victims and healthworkers.

ITINERARY

18 September FREETOWN
Irene Khan will meet with President Ernest Bai Koroma and First Lady Sia Koroma.

22 September LAUNCH OF THE AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL CARAVAN TO END MATERNAL MORTALITY, 3.00pm Bishop Johnson Memorial School

In Freetown, Irene Khan will kick-off the Amnesty International Caravan to End Maternal Mortality that will tour the country raising awareness of maternal mortality as a human rights issue within Sierra Leone and demanding improved healthcare services from their government.

The public event will also be addressed by Vice-President Samuel Sam-Sumana and Nollywood actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde. There will be a play performance and a film screening highlighting the issue of maternal mortality. Journalists, photographers and camera crews wishing to cover the event should contact Katy Pownall on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

23 September MAKENI

Irene Khan and the Amnesty International delegation will drive to Makeni to the first stop of the Amnesty International Caravan to End Maternal Mortality. They will also meet local leaders, healthworkers, victims and activists.

25 September PRESS CONFERENCE, 10.30am at the Taia Resort, Freetown

Irene Khan will hold a press conference to present the findings of the mission and launch the report Out of Reach: The Cost of Maternal Healthcare in Sierra Leone. The press conference will include a question and answer session and refreshments will be served.

Journalists, photographers and camera crews wishing to attend the press conference should contact Katy Pownall on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Notes to editors
Images, a News Access Tape and B-roll of the mission will be available under embargo ahead of the report launch.
Irene Khan will be available for interviews from Sierra Leone.
Amnesty International is tackling maternal mortality as part of its recently launched Demand Dignity campaign focusing on poverty and human rights.

For more information, to receive an advance copy of the report or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Katy Pownall, mobile +44 7961 421 583
Judit Arenas, mobile + 44 7778 472 188.
Public Document

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For more information please call Amnesty International's press office in London, UK, on +44 20 7413 5566 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

International Secretariat, Amnesty International, 1 Easton St., London WC1X 0DW, UK, www.amnesty.org

Katy Pownall
Press Officer, Demand Dignity campaign

Amnesty International
International Secretariat