Ensuring respectful treatment of women has always been at the heart of the Safe Motherhood Program's work. In her role with the International Federation of Gynecology & Obstetrics (FIGO) Safe Mother and Newborn Health Committee, Professor Suellen Miller helped to develop FIGO's mother-baby friendly birthing facilities initiative. This initiative intended to safeguard women's access to respectful maternity care that honors their autonomy during childbirth. It was further developed into the International Childbirth Initiative, a global program that recruits and supports health facilities in their pursuit to provide greater respect to women, newborns, families, and healthcare providers.
Professor Miller serves on the Executive Board that oversees the promotion of the Initiative, which has reached 35+ countries, and Michelle Skaer Therrien serves as the Executive Director. The Initiative is operated through a partnership between FIGO, the International MotherBaby Childbirth Organization, the International Confederation of Midwives, the International Pediatric Association, and the White Ribbon Alliance.