Mothers and the Economy

With their work and personal investment in their families and their children, all mothers, whether they are in paid employment or not, make a vital contribution to the economy of their country.

MMM advocates to give value to this unpaid family care work, working primarily for a better balance of family life and professional life.  “Care” work must be given much more credit and should not be an obstacle to gender equality and the economic independence of mothers.

Unpaid family care work: vital but invisible and unrecognized

Its financial value is estimated between 10 and 40% of GDP and 2/3 of this work is assumed by women, specifically mothers. It is the first obstacle to their economic empowerment.

MMM in action

Awareness raising and advocacy on the issue of unpaid family care work: recognise, reduce & redistribute

Empowering Mothers, Advancing Rights: MMM at HRC59

14.07.25

UN Geneva - The UN Human Rights Council provides a crucial platform for advocacy and engagement on key human rights issues that affect mothers. This overview highlights MMM’s engagement at

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Intergenerational Solidarity in work-life balance and childcare

13.07.25

MMM was invited to speak at AGE’s annual conference, which focused on contributing to the EU Strategy on Intergenerational Fairness. The event explored a range of key areas, including the

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Discrimination in the economic sphere: the “motherhood penalty”

Beyond the first structural obstacle of unpaid family work, women around the world suffer from barriers, sometimes legal, often purely discriminatory - especially when they are mothers

Reconciliation between family and professional life

MMM defends women’s (and men’s!) free choice to be able to devote time to their family responsibilities - without being heavily penalised.

Reconciliation of Family Life and Work

Advocacy for policies of reconciliation between family life and professional life for all - a key area of work at the European level, mais an issue for every mother around the world.

Intergenerational Solidarity in work-life balance and childcare

13.07.25

MMM was invited to speak at AGE’s annual conference, which focused on contributing to the EU Strategy on Intergenerational Fairness. The event explored a range of key areas, including the

Lire plus

Belgian Mothers Face Alarming Rates of Burnout and Perinatal Depression, New EU Survey Finds

03.07.25

Belgian mothers are facing a mental health crisis. According to the State of Motherhood in Europe 2024 survey by Make Mothers Matter (MMM) and Kantar, Belgium reports the highest rates

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Latest news on Mothers and the Economy

Empowering Mothers, Advancing Rights: MMM at HRC59

14.07.25

UN Geneva - The UN Human Rights Council provides a crucial platform for advocacy and engagement on key human rights issues that affect mothers. This overview highlights MMM’s engagement at the 59th session of

Read more

Intergenerational Solidarity in work-life balance and childcare

13.07.25

MMM was invited to speak at AGE’s annual conference, which focused on contributing to the EU Strategy on Intergenerational Fairness. The event explored a range of key areas, including the labour market, healt

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Unpaid Care at the Core: A Catalyst for Achieving the SDGs

06.07.25

UN New York / HLPF - Register now to join us online for our High Level Political Forum side-event.

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Placing Target 5.4 at the Core: A Key to Accelerating SDG Synergies

06.07.25

UN New York – Ahead of the 2025 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) MMM's written statement focuses on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 on Gender equality, which is under review this year. More specifically

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Financing for development: time to invest in Care and Wellbeing

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

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Financing for development matters for mothers

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.

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