Vision and Mission
“Women bring various powers to the table. One is the power of the purse […] Second, they bring the power of life.
I think that actually giving birth gives you a sense of prosperity, heritage, transmission, that is quite special.
I know it’s going to be controversial but I think maternity is central to making sure that our children inherit something that is sustainable, that they can live in, live with and transmit to other generations.”
Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank
in a November 2020 New York Times interview
Make Mothers Matter (MMM), formerly known as Mouvement Mondial des Mères/World Movement of Mothers, is an international NGO established in 1947 at the UNESCO in Paris.
We act through advocacy, network and communication.
Our poles of action are education, health, peace and economy.
We federate an expanding network of member associations and partners active in the field around the world reaching over 10 million mothers globally.
MMM has no political or religious affiliations and can therefore transparently and independently voice the concerns of mothers at the highest level: at the European Union, UNESCO and the United Nations where we have a general consultative status.
MMM upholds the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
MMM is firmly committed to women’s right to make informed and safe choices about their reproductive health.
Vision
We believe in the power of mothers to make the world a better place.
Mission
We advocate for the recognition and support of mothers as changemakers.
We understand locally, act globally to initiate laws and policies benefiting mothers and families.
We work to:
- Empower mothers to understand and freely exert their rights and responsibilities
- Demand respect, autonomy and dignity for mothers in their diversity
- Emphasise the essential role of a mother in a child’s education and development
- Include maternity in gender equality
- Overcome stigma and discrimination
- Improve maternal and child healthcare
- Reduce unpaid-work hardships
- Promote shared family care work with fathers
- Push for a better work-life balance
- Champion the role of mothers in peace and security
Beyond the diversity of cultures and socio-economic environments, mothers have a lot in common. Our strength as an international NGO lies in bringing them together, whilst recognising their key role in education, health, economy and peace.
When mothers are heard and respected, informed and supported, they become key partners. And as partners, they must be consulted and involved in development projects, particularly those that directly impact them and their families.
Extracts from the Bylaws of Make Mothers Matter
