The work to protect and promote reproductive health is guaranteed by the Socialist Constitution and other laws, including Public Health Law, Law on the Nursing and Upbringing of Children and Family Law, in the country.

Under the free healthcare system, women in the DPRK get medical services free of charge before and after delivery.

Women are exempted from hard labor at worksites and the State takes charge of everything needed to nurse and bring up the children, encouraging women's participation in social activities.

The government's steps include the strengthening of healthcare service for women based on section doctor system, the paid maternity leave system and the offer of additional benefits to prolific mothers. Also, nutrients are supplied to infants short of breast milk.

Men are urged to take active part in the work for protecting the health of women and children.

Central hospitals and provincial maternity hospitals have worked hard to upgrade medical service for pregnant women and nursing mothers.

Meanwhile, big efforts are directed to disseminating common sense and knowledge of reproductive health through information network and media.

Yang Song Il, section chief at the Population Centre of the DPRK, told KCNA:

"Assistance and investment in reproductive health grow under the special care of the government.

The centre is stepping up cooperation with local bodies and international organizations, including the United Nations Population Fund (UNPF), World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme, to implement the 2011-2015 strategy on reproductive health."

A seminar was held in Pyongyang on the theme of "World Population Day (July 11)-Universal Access to RH Service" set by UNPF and the centre published a special bulletin on the occasion.