Dying to Give Life
Afghanistan, Niger, Chad, Guinea-Bissau, Yemen, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Sudan, Eritrea and Equatorial Guinea- these are the world’s worst places to be a mother. In these countries, the joy of pregnancy is often accompanied by the fear of dying. The unwelcome pass of the baton, between mother and child -wherein a first breath and new life is exchanged for last breath and death, has become common place.
Every minute a woman dies in pregnancy or child birth. 99 percent of these deaths occur in developing countries.
In Niger, 1 in 7 women die in pregnancy or childbirth, with 1 in 8 dying in both Afghanistan and Sierra Leone. In comparison the risk of dying in childbirth is less than 1 in 25,000 in both Greece and Italy and less than 1 in 47,600 in Ireland. In Africa as a whole, the risk of maternal death is 1 in every 16 women whereas in Northern Europe, 1 in 4000 women risks dying from pregnancy related causes.
These statistics may be hard to relate with and might feel like just... well, numbers to you. However, this "story of Mama Sessay: one woman's journey from pregnancy to death" might make it more real for you. It is one out of thousands of heartbreaking untold stories; where the lack of simple and basic services could cost a mother her life.
Enter the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood.
The White Ribbon Alliance is a global effort of international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), United Nations (UN) agencies, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to raise awareness of the need to make pregnancy and childbirth safe for all women and newborns in developed as well as developing countries. Two fashion models working in collaboration with the White Ribbon Alliance are using fashion as a vehicle for change in the area of maternal mortality.
Every minute a woman dies in pregnancy or child birth. 99 percent of these deaths occur in developing countries.
In Niger, 1 in 7 women die in pregnancy or childbirth, with 1 in 8 dying in both Afghanistan and Sierra Leone. In comparison the risk of dying in childbirth is less than 1 in 25,000 in both Greece and Italy and less than 1 in 47,600 in Ireland. In Africa as a whole, the risk of maternal death is 1 in every 16 women whereas in Northern Europe, 1 in 4000 women risks dying from pregnancy related causes.
These statistics may be hard to relate with and might feel like just... well, numbers to you. However, this "story of Mama Sessay: one woman's journey from pregnancy to death" might make it more real for you. It is one out of thousands of heartbreaking untold stories; where the lack of simple and basic services could cost a mother her life.
Enter the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood.
The White Ribbon Alliance is a global effort of international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), United Nations (UN) agencies, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to raise awareness of the need to make pregnancy and childbirth safe for all women and newborns in developed as well as developing countries. Two fashion models working in collaboration with the White Ribbon Alliance are using fashion as a vehicle for change in the area of maternal mortality.
Ai
Image Credit: Zimbio“MODE for Charity 2010 – babies and mothers” was a White Ribbon charity event and fashion show headed by its Japanese ambassador and international model – Ai Tominaga. Featuring clothes by Japanese fashion designers, the show and event aimed to raise awareness in Japan on maternal mortality issues affecting developing countries and advocate funding for maternal health projects in Zambia where maternal mortality is among one of the highest in Africa.
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Image Credit: Zimbio
Naomi
Image Credit: hipcandyGlobal Ambassador to the White Ribbon alliance, Naomi Campbell is a model who uses her high profile in fashion as a vehicle for change especially in the area of maternal mortality. She has been involved with a number of projects to support the White Ribbon Alliance notably her “Fashion for Relief” charity fashion show. This year, Fashion for Relief Haiti was held to raise funds for mothers and babies in Haiti. Her other White Ribbon Alliance projects include teaming up with Louis Vuitton to select a Spring/ Summer bag that would have a portion of its proceeds given to the White Ribbon. Last Year, a beautiful Khaki metallic striped bag was chosen to be sold this year to benefit the Alliance.
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Image Credit: thatsafabuloushandbag
Why not Fashion?
Source:
-State of the World's Mothers 2010: Save the Children
-The White Ribbon Alliance
Be a part of making a difference -> the whiteribbonalliance
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