They also said lack of medical check up before delivery, delivery by nurses or untrained midwifes and reluctance to go for health check up after delivery are mainly responsible for the unwanted maternal morality.

The discussion titled 'Social awareness and state initiative to ensure safe motherhood'' organised by Bangladesh Mahila Parishad was held at the Cirdap auditorium in the city to mark the International Safe Motherhood Day.

While reading out a keynote paper, Dr Laila Anjuman Banu said the health picture of women in our society is just the reflection of a discriminatory attitude and violence against them.

Since her birth, a woman faces discrimination and violence that results in unwanted pregnancy, miscarriage, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, including death, she added.

Citing a survey, Dr Makhduma Nargis Ratna, vice president of central committee of Mahila Parishad, said 52 percent pregnant women go for antenatal check up for one time while 48 percent do not go for any health check up during the pregnancy period.

In the rural areas pregnancy and delivery are considered a normal affair and hence family members do not think for taking extra care or health check up for the pregnant women, she said.

She also said only 13 percent delivery cases are performed by trained midwife in the country.

Presided over by Dr Fauzia Moslem, the discussion was also addressed by Ayesha Khanam, general secretary of Mahila Parishad, Dr Rowshan Ara, professor of gynaecology at the Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College Hospital and Dr Firoz Mia, assistant director of the Health Directorate.