In 2013, there were 1,900 maternal deaths in Europe, and one in 10 women did not have access to antenatal care. The participation of mothers is essential for addressing the challenges of maternal health, also in Europe.
MMM’s primary areas of focus in Europe are the fight against obstetric violence and ill-treatment, the prevention of obesity and the promotion of maternal mental health.
Make Mothers Matter, in collaboration with some of its members and other European NGOs in the field, advocate for maternal health services that respect mothers, without violence and are not over-medicalised.
Also, it is important to try to establish attempts to raise awareness at the European level by providing guidelines on respectful and non-abusive care during childbirth that recognizes the link between mental and physical health, and ensures respect for human rights including the right of all mothers and their families to receive proper and quality care.
Because of its involvement in the DORIAN European Project on the impact of maternal obesity on children, MMM European delegation has been invited to take part in the European Childhood Obesity Group’s conference, to discuss childhood obesity.
MMM will collaborate with ECOG to focus attention on the role of parents in the fight against this problem.
In April 2017, on the World Health Day that was dedicated to depression, Mental Health Europe (MHE), MMM and the European Women’s Lobby joined forces to break the silence surrounding post-natal depression.
According to the World Health Organisation, between 10-15% of women who have just given birth, suffer from post-natal depression – including in Europe.
We strongly support WHO’s request for additional research in the field of post-natal depression as well as on the impact of obstetric violence on the psychological well-being of women.
25.01.21
October 2020 saw the results of the first Irish Maternity Experience Survey, providing an important insight into women’s experiences at all stages of maternity care in Ireland - antenatal, care during labour
12.10.20
On 7 October 2020, MMM, together with its partners at the Alliance for Investing in Children and with the European Parents' Association, responded to the Public Consultation on the Road Map for the Child Guaran
09.07.20
Providing a voice for patients, families, and caregivers. Have your say by responding to our Survey.
20.04.20
On 7th April and in celebration of International health Day, the multidisciplinary EU-funded network of researchers and professionals on perinatal mental health, COST Action Riseup-PPD, raised awareness of th
25.11.19
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women - MMM issues a statement reiterating the urgency bringing an end to the mistreatment and violence mothers suffer in pregnancy and childbirth.
14.10.19
Riga - September 2019 - workshop on children with disabilities. Representing Make Mothers Matter, Laura Fiquet made it clear that mothers with disabled children are frontline to face many obstacles and problems