Advocacy work at the European Union

The European Union adopts legislative and non-legislative initiatives that have a direct impact on the lives of European citizens. It also plays an important role at an international level, notably for the protection of Human Rights. The EU is an important partner of the United Nations and the biggest donor for development aid.

In this context, the MMM European Delegation focuses on supporting and empowering mothers while highlighting how their contribution at social and economic levels matters for Europe’s future development.

The Delegation works to influence European policies and legislation to bring about positive changes in the lives of mothers, which will have a positive impact on their children, family and society as a whole. MMM aims to support mothers and help them develop their independence.

At the European Parliament, MMM works with the following Committees:

Our work is carried out in a transparent manner in accordance with the Transparency Register established by the European Parliament and the European Commission.

MMM’s main areas of work at the EU

  • Mothers and the Economy: advocacy on the reconciliation of work and family life has been one of the delegation’s primary areas of work, guided by the results of the MMM Survey What matters to mothers in Europe.
  • Mothers and Health: We work to promote human rights in childbirth (including maternal mental health and the fight against obstetric violence) and the prevention of child obesity.
  • Mothers and Peace: MMM promotes the idea that a culture of peace begins during early childhood within families. Mothers have a major role to play along with fathers, are the primary educators for their children in the prevention of violence and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.

What the MMM Delegation do

  • Raise awareness ·  among policymakers of the challenges faced by mothers (European Commission, European Parliament, European Economic and Social Committee, Council of the European Union etc.)
  • Propose concrete measures to support mothers
  • Monitor and research policies that impact mothers and their families.
  • Analyse these policy measures and communicate the views of mothers to be taken into account in the preparation of legislative proposals.

 

Partners

MMM collaborates on a regular basis with many European NGOs, notably with Age Platform Europe, COFACE, Eurochild, Eurocarers, the European Women’s Lobby, Maternal Health Europe, etc.

Since December 2016, MMM is a member of the Social Platform the largest network of European civil society organisations active in the social sector. Its mission is to promote policies that contribute to social progress for all, based on human rights

 

 

 

Latest News from MMM and its Network

Supporting Mothers with Disabilities: A Call for Enhanced Care and Resources

06.03.25

Mothers with disabilities face many challenges in a world that is physically, socially and structurally inaccessible. Their struggles often go unnoticed and underappreciated which results in vast misconceptions

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The New EU Gender Equality Roadmap : A Call for Inclusion of Mothers

04.03.25

The European Commission’s initiative on a new Gender Equality Roadmap post-2025, marks a significant step forward in addressing gender disparities across the European Union. Make Mothers Matter (MMM) welcomes

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Motherhood, the unfinished business of the Beijing Conference

25.02.25

UN New York – It has been thirty years since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which laid the groundwork for transformative changes towards gender equality and the empowerment of women. In our

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Solo mothers and homelessness: exploring the links

22.02.25

MMM contributed a chapter to a book edited by UNANIMA International on The hidden faces of homelessness, highlighting the specific vulnerability of single mothers to homelessness. The publication was launched o

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Sharing the care, key for equity and the wellbeing of all

18.02.25

UN New York - Here is a look back at our side-event to the Commission on Social Development that took place earlier in February. 'Sharing is caring: equal parenting, a path to social cohesion’ presented the k

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Strengthening the care ecosystem: key to building a cohesive society

13.02.25

UN New York - MMM's oral statement to the UN Commission on Social Development highlighted the central and unique role of Care for social cohesion and social development, reminding the lessons drawn from the Cov

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