Improved maternal health since the ICPD: 20 years of progress.

BACKGROUND: The 1994 Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) was a turning point in the field of sexual and reproductive health--repositioning population and development programs globally in the context of reproductive rights, gender equity, and women's empowerment. PROGRESS SINCE ICPD: ICPD solidified the importance of women's health and safe motherhood alongside other health and development priorities while laying the groundwork for the Millennium Development Goals. CHALLENGES: Some goals envisioned by ICPD have been met. Others still need to be addressed. Global declines in maternal mortality are indicative of success, although improving measurement, quality of care and access to services, while addressing the social determinants that influence maternal health remain priorities. RECOMMENDATIONS: Renewed political will to address the remaining challenges is necessary for the post-2015 development agenda so that women's health throughout the world continues to be supported with ambitious, yet feasible goals that take into account the world's evolving development priorities.