Make Mothers Matter in the European Parliament #theFinalPush

06.05.15

MMM has brought together a group of mothers with babies and pregnant women in the European Parliament as part of our campaign to encourage a review of the Maternity Leave Directive.

The mothers were warmly welcomed by Maria Arena, MEP (S & D, Belgium), who spoke with them about the ongoing work to improve the health and safety of mothers at work. Following this meeting, we walked with our pushchairs and rounded bellies through the Parliament and drew the attention of passers-by, to join a meeting of the Women’s Committee where we were also applauded.

A resolution was successfully adopted, calling on the Commission to prepare a legislative initiative to revise the directive on maternity leave; a revision to be carried out immediately under the Luxembourg Presidency of the Council, with a view to improving the health and safety of mothers and meeting demographic challenges while reducing inequalities between men and women.

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Wednesday 28 January 2026 | 15:15 – 17:30 GMT London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) – Live broadcast #MaternalWellbeingLSE Maternal mental health is one of the most pressing

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Climate Change: A Maternal Physical and Mental Health Emergency

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In the lead-up to the UN climate change conference in Belem, Brazil (COP30), MMM was delighted to collaborate with Dr. Saravanan Thangarajan, a Visiting Scientist & Faculty member at Harvard

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Democracy on Hold: The Hidden Penalty for Parliamentarians Who Become Mothers

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The European Parliament adopted a legislative resolution on the amendment of the European Electoral act, allowing Members to vote in plenary by proxy voting during pregnancy and after giving birth.

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News from the MMM European Delegation

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The EU Alliance for Investing in Children, of which MMM is a member, has welcomed the European Commission's 2026 Social Package as a significant step forward for children's rights and social inclusion across Eu

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Ahead of discussions on the future Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the EUFunds4Social Coalition, of which MMM is a member, has issued an open letter urging EU leaders to safeguard and strengthen the EUâ€

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Families as active rights holders:
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On 11 June 2026, Madrid hosted a major national conference dedicated to strengthening quality family support for positive parenting in Spain.

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Equal Pay Cannot Wait: Why Every EU Member State Must Implement the Pay Transparency Directive Now

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Across Europe, millions of women continue to earn less than men for work of equal value. Behind these statistics are real people — mothers, unpaid carers, and working women who too often face financial disadv

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Keeping Families Together: Preventing institutionalisation

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Make Mothers Matter is proud to be a partner of the EU Collaborative, a pan-European initiative led by Tanya's Dream Fund, committed to preventing unnecessary family separation and supporting children and famil

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A New EU Commitment to Housing Dignity: What the European Affordable Housing Plan Means for Mothers and Families

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Across Europe, rising housing costs, homelessness, insecure rentals, and poverty are placing increasing pressure on families — especially women, single mothers, and children.

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