FAQs

The State of Motherhood in Europe 2024 survey was designed to give voice to mothers and highlight their real-life challenges and needs. It aimed to collect evidence on key issues such as work-life balance, mental health, unpaid care work, and access to services. The goal is to inform EU and national policymakers and push for more supportive, fair and inclusive policies.

The survey collected responses from over 9,600 mothers across 11 EU countries and the United Kingdom including Belgium, Czechia, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, and Sweden. This wide geographic scope enabled a comparative perspective on the experiences of mothers in different social and policy contexts across Europe.

The survey revealed that:

• Balancing paid work and caregiving remains a major struggle for many mothers
• Mental health and the mental load of motherhood are significant, often invisible
• Unpaid care work is undervalued and unequally shared
• Affordable childcare, flexible working arrangements, and adequate parental leave are often lacking
• Many mothers feel invisible in policymaking and society at large

These findings reflect both shared challenges and national differences in how mothers are supported.

Explore country snapshots

The most pressing concerns reported by mothers include:

• Lack of recognition and support for unpaid care work
• High levels of stress and mental exhaustion
• Insufficient parental leave or poor access to flexible work options
• Limited or unaffordable childcare services
• A general sense of isolation, invisibility, and undervaluation in public life and policy

Policymakers can use the survey as a reliable evidence base to:

• Identify gaps in parental leave, childcare, and mental health support
• Design family-friendly and inclusive policies
• Ensure that mothers’ voices are considered in social and economic planning
• Promote workplace flexibility, fair pay, and better recognition of care roles
• Identify best practises in the countries surveyed

The findings are especially relevant for EU strategies on social rights, gender equality, and demographic change.

Register here for our upcoming EU Parliament Presentation

Make Mothers Matter (MMM) will use the survey findings to:

• Advocate for policy change at EU and national levels.
• Engage in dialogue with institutions, governments, and civil society.
• Highlight the value of care work and promote investment in support systems for mothers.
• Launch campaigns and partnerships that elevate mothers’ voices and drive tangible reforms.

The survey will continue to serve as a reference point in MMM’s ongoing mission to make mothers matter in policy decisions.

You can support this initiative by:

• Sharing the key findings on social media or within your network
• Using the data in advocacy or professional settings
• Engaging with MMM, whether by joining events, collaborating on projects, or subscribing to our newsletter

Visit the survey's home page to access the full report, access country profiles, and find out how to take action.

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:

• The European Union
• The United Nations (New York, Geneva, and Vienna)
• UNESCO

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.

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:

• Visiting our website’s News or Blog section.
• Subscribing to our newsletter for regular updates and invitations to our events.
• Following us on social media (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook).
  All the latest on campaigns, reports, events, and partnerships is shared through these channels.

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!