FAQs

About Make Mothers Matter

Make Mothers Matter (MMM) is an international non-governmental organisation (NGO) that advocates for the recognition and support of mothers as essential actors in building a more caring, equitable, and sustainable society. Founded in 1947, MMM has no political or religious affiliations. Working with local partners, MMM advocates on influential global platforms including the EU, the UN, and UNESCO, ensuring that the lived realities of mothers are voiced and acknowledged.

More on who we are here.

MMM’s mission is to make mothers' voices heard and their unpaid care work visible, valued, and supported. The organisation works to influence policies that improve mothers’ well-being and empower them in their diverse roles.

Its vision is a world where the contribution of mothers—through caregiving, education, and social engagement—is fully recognised and supported as a driver of social progress, gender equality, and collective well-being.

More on our vision and mission here.

MMM operates at the national level in France and Belgium.

Globally, we have active representation at:

In addition, our grassroots members are actively working on the ground with and for mothers in communities around the world.

MMM drives change through:

  • Advocacy: Engaging with policymakers to promote family-friendly, care-sensitive, and gender-equal policies.
  • Research and data: Conducting and supporting studies like the State of Motherhood in Europe 2024 to inform evidence-based policy.
  • Collaboration: Partnering with civil society, institutions, and grassroots organisations.
  • Awareness-raising: Running campaigns that highlight the realities and needs of mothers and call for systemic change.

Read our 2024 Year in review.

The EU Survey on Motherhood is central to MMM’s mission. It gives mothers a platform to express their lived experiences. Data on mothers and motherhood is scarce and therefore vital as evidence for bringing about change. This survey will provide concrete data to support MMM’s advocacy at the EU level.  By highlighting the challenges they face, the survey strengthens MMM’s efforts to push for policy reforms, greater investment in care, and recognition of mothers’ contributions to society.

Engagement & Support

There are many ways to support MMM’s work:

  • Share our research and campaigns on social media to raise awareness.
  • Donate to help fund our advocacy, research, and grassroots outreach.
  • Engage with our events and spread the message within your community or workplace.
  • Use your voice to advocate for better policies that support mothers and families.

Every action - big or small - helps amplify the voices of mothers and promote systemic change.

Yes! MMM welcomes volunteers, researchers, partners, and collaborators from all backgrounds. Whether you’re an individual with relevant skills or an organisation interested in joint initiatives, there are many opportunities to contribute. To explore how you can get involved, visit our website or contact us directly via the contact form.

See how you can get-involved or join us.

You can stay informed by:

For further information, partnership opportunities, or media inquiries, please contact:
Shahnaz pakravan -  MMM’s Director of Communications at shahnaz@makemothersmatter.org
Or visit our Contact page

We’d be happy to connect with you!

 

Latest News from MMM and its Network

Invisible Violence: Why Mothers Must Be Recognised in the Fight Against Gender-Based Abuse

25.03.26

UN Geneva – Violence against women is widely acknowledged. Yet the specific forms of violence linked to motherhood remain largely overlooked. Drawing on grassroots evidence from across the globe, Make Mothers

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Parental Leave: A Global Imperative for Gender Equity and Economic Prosperity

25.03.26

UN New York – At the event MMM organised on the margins of the 70th UN Commission on the Status of Women, experts and policymakers converged to argue that parental leave is far more than a workplace benefitâ€

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Job Sharing: A Promising Solution for Working Mothers

24.03.26

By Ariane de Liedekerke, Network Co-ordinator, Make Mothers Matter While many women are still sidelined professionally after becoming mothers, leading to a lose-lose situation, some companies are testing new wa

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Recognising Care
The Relevance of Parenting Skills in the EU Skill Portability Initiative

16.03.26

Make Mothers Matter (MMM) responded to the Public Consultation on the European Commission’s upcoming Skill Portability Initiative. We submitted a paper outlining our views and provided feedback on the need to

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Hidden in Plain Sight: The Mental Health Crisis Facing Young Mothers in Europe

14.03.26

UN Geneva – An MMM submission to the OHCHR call for input on the impact of mental health challenges on the enjoyment of human rights by young people highlights a critical, often overlooked human rights issue:

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Climate finance must prioritise mothers and care

13.03.26

UN Geneva – Responding to the OHCHR Call for inputs on Climate Financing and Human Rights MMM argues that climate finance must prioritise mothers, unpaid caregivers, and maternal health in order to be truly e

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