Evidence-based data suggests that most maternal deaths are preventable. A significant proportion of these deaths is not solely a biological occurrence; they result from the denial of women’s rights, including lack of freedom and respect. Accessibility and availability of quality family planning and abortion services are key determinants of maternal mortality in low-income countries. We conducted a narrative synthesis study analyzing publications from 1990 to 2021 concerning women’s reproductive rights and their impact on maternal mortality. The initial search returned 103 articles, from which 76 eligible papers were selected. The mere availability of medical services in states does not guarantee access by women if these services lack physical, economic, cultural accessibility or are unacceptable to women or their families within national health systems. Consequently, this inability to access services hinders the reduction of maternal morbidity and mortality. Despite states’ efforts to organize health systems and improve the performance of medical services, the Millennium Development Goals were not achieved. This failure can be attributed, in part, to women’s lack of access to services due to human rights violations. Ensuring respect for human rights is a key intervention in reducing maternal mortality and enhancing maternal health. The growing international and regional concern about maternal mortality and morbidity highlights the need to recognize that reducing maternal mortality and morbidity depends not only on the development of health systems but also on the realization of human rights, particularly in maternal health. Acknowledging this reality will lead to the development of new measures to reduce maternal mortality and improve maternal health.