Thérèse Rein champions campaign to reduce maternal deaths
SYDNEY, 5 August 2009 – Thérèse Rein, mother of three and wife of the Australian Prime Minister, has become patron of a major UNICEF Australia campaign to tackle the high rate of maternal and child deaths in developing countries, particularly in the Pacific region.
Women in the world’s poorest countries are 300 times more likely to die during pregnancy or childbirth than women in Australia. This alarming disparity represents one of the greatest indicators of the gulf between rich and poor in our world today.
“Each year around the world, over 500,000 women die in pregnancy or in childbirth. In Africa, in countries like Sierra Leone, one in eight women face this prospect,” she said.
Ms Rein said she would use the position of patron to work for an improvement in maternal and child health and to reduce the number of deaths, both in Australia and internationally.
Ms Rein is planning to include a focus on maternal health as part of the spouses program at the Pacific Island Forum in Cairns next month.
“As a woman and as a mother, I find my heart breaking at this tragic and avoidable situation. But there is hope. We know that 80 per cent of maternal deaths can be avoided by providing women with low cost health services.”
“I am proud to be part of this campaign and I urge you to support UNICEF in this vital life-saving work. Together we can make a difference. Together we can save lives.”
UNICEF Australia chief executive Carolyn Hardy said she was delighted to have Ms Rein join as patron of the UNICEF Maternal Health campaign.
“Pregnancy and childbirth are generally times of joy for parents and family but in many poorer countries they are also a time of great risk to health and even survival,” Ms Hardy said.
“Of course it is not just the mother who is at risk, a child born into poverty is almost 14 times more likely to die in their first month than if they were born in a developed economy. The best way to ensure a child thrives is to ensure their mother stays healthy.”
Ms Hardy said often simple interventions, such as providing a mosquito net costing just $7, can make a profound improvement in maternal health. UNICEF does not receive funding from the United Nations. It is funded by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
The UNICEF Australia’s Maternal Health will fund skilled health workers, particularly midwives and scale up obstetric and newborn care. It will also seek to make these health services more accessible to poor families.
To donate to UNICEF’s Maternal Health Campaign, click here.
About UNICEF
UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
For more information, please contact:
Martin Thomas, UNICEF Australia
0401 332 399
mthomas@unicef.org.au
Martha Tattersall, UNICEF Australia
0421 570 393
mtattersall@unicef.org.au