14.03.22
UN Geneva, 49th Human Rights Council - In an oral statement, MMM highlighted the structural discriminations that women farmers, in particular mothers, continue to suffer all over the world.
Women make up almost half of the world’s agricultural workforce. They are also often the seed stewards of their community. Yet, in most cases, they do not own land and their work remains unpaid.
For rural mothers, this unpaid agricultural labour comes on top of the unpaid domestic and care work of which they do the vast majority. They have no time for income generating activities, no access to adequate social protection and suffer high levels of poverty, which in turn hinders their bargaining power and their ability to participate in decision-making.
These multiple discriminations and human rights violations not only carry a huge cost for these women and society, but they also hamper agricultural production which needs to double by 2050 to meet the growing global food demand.
It is time for governments and society as a whole to recognise the huge and multiple contributions of rural women, in particular mothers, to food security and human development. They must be better supported and empowered, including as leaders.
The statement was delivered via video message by Melissa Barbottin, MMM Representative at the UN in Geneva, during the Interactive Dialog which followed the presentation of the report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food on Seeds, right to life and farmers’ rights as part of the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council
09.07.24
Mothers play an essential role in families by ensuring their loved ones are nourished, educated, and healthy, but their unpaid care work often leads to economic and social injustices, known
29.07.24
UN New York - Our virtual HLPF side-event brought together experts to shed light on how the various global crises we face (in particular climate change and other environmental crises,
21.07.24
UN New York - Participating in the meeting of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on care and support systems, MMM reaffirmed the principle of co-responsibility, which should underpin
06.07.25
From 30 June to 3 July, Make Mothers Matter was in Sevilla, Spain, for the 4th UN International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4). Here’s a look back at this major UN event and the key takeaways
05.07.25
Following the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Sevilla, Spain, we explore why Financing for Development is critical for mothers around the world.
15.06.25
UN Geneva – At the 113th International Labour Conference (ILC), Make Mothers Matter (MMM) brought the perspectives of mothers and other unpaid caregivers to two key agenda topics: the transition to formal emp
07.06.25
As part of European Mental Health Week, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) András Kulja and Zoltán Tarr (both EPP) hosted a two-day Mental Health Summit on Prevention and Recovery in Modern Society
07.06.25
Make Mothers Matter was delighted to celebrate and participate in the 40th Anniversary and International Conference of our member, the European Parents’ Association (EPA), hosted by the European Economic and
10.05.25
UN New York – The 69th UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) marked the thirtieth anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA). This landmark global policy document was adopted