(2017) 1 African Human Rights Yearbook 93 clarification and elaboration provided under the UN human rights system with regard to maternal mortality. 3.1 Resolution 11/8 and the first report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights regarding maternal mortality and morbidity As noted above, despite the fact that regional and international instruments guarantee rights, which are applicable to preventable maternal deaths and injuries, these deaths have persisted in high levels. Concerted advocacy by stakeholders, and particularly nongovernmental organisations (NGOs), at the regional and global levels eventually yielded extraordinary results at the United Nations. In June 2009, a year after the African Commission’s resolution on maternal mortality and the same year that CARRMA was launched, the UN Human Rights Council adopted resolution 11/8 which ultimately became its first of a series of resolutions on preventable maternal mortality and morbidity and human rights to advance and set standards on maternal health.53 Recalling states’ obligations under CEDAW, ICCPR and CESCR among others, the 2009 resolution recognised the need for increased political will, cooperation and technical assistance at the international and national levels to effectively reduce preventable maternal deaths and injuries.54 Resolution 11/8 recognised that these deaths and injuries are aggravated by poverty, gender inequality and discrimination and other factors including inadequate access to health facilities and lack of infrastructure.55 It further recognised that a majority of maternal deaths and injuries are preventable and should be addressed through protecting the rights of women and girls, especially their rights to life, dignity, education, health, information, nondiscrimination and to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress.56 The resolution urged states to fulfil and implement their human rights commitments under several instruments including by allocating sufficient resources to health systems.57 It provided specific recommendations to states which included both honouring existing commitments and making new ones, swapping effective practices and technical assistance to reinforce their capacities, and integrating a human rights perspective into all of their efforts by addressing the link between discrimination against women and maternal mortality and morbidity.58 53 A/HRC/11/L.16 http://ap.ohchr.org/documents/E/HRC/resolutions/A_HRC_RES _11_8.pdf (accessed 14 July 2017). 54 As above. 55 As above. 56 As above, para 2. 57 As above, para 3. 58 As above, para 4.