Towards an understanding of the cultural roots of homophobia in order to provide a better midwifery service for lesbian clients

Currently almost 600 000 women die in the world each year owing to the effects of childbirth.The greater proportion of these deaths occur in developing countries.This issue is considered in the light of human rights and equity. This paper was presented in a Plenary session at the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealandʹs third annual congress in Melbourne, March 1999.