28th March, 2011
The Status of Africa: Lend an African mother a voice this Mother's Day
The Best Mother’s Day Gift of All: Flowers, chocolates or a voice to the mothers of Africa?
For Mother’s Day, 3rd April 2011, AMREF is urging people to lend their Facebook and Twitter status updates to one of six real women from across Africa who are leading incredibly tough lives every day.
Every year 280,000 African mothers die unnecessarily in pregnancy and childbirth because they lack basic medical care. AMREF is working to change this - training midwives across Africa to ensure more women give birth safely.
Together with the creative agency BBH, AMREF has created a simple way to raise awareness and even help save lives – the ‘Status of Africa: Mother’s Day’ campaign. Choose a mother, grandmother or midwife to share your Facebook status with for 5 days, and the app automatically updates it twice a day with theirs. The app also updates your Twitter account. AMREF's goal is to see as many people as possible lend their status and be using the app on Mother’s Day, Sunday 3rd April 2011.
Sign up to the app now at: http://apps.facebook.com/statusofafrica
Fay Ripley, British actress best known for the acclaimed TV series Cold Feet, is supporting the campaign.
‘As a mother myself, I valued the support I received throughout pregnancy. Many African women have no such luck. This Mother’s Day, lend your Facebook and Twitter status to support AMREF in ensuring that no mother dies while giving life', Fay Ripley
It’s these women who are the beating hearts of their communities, providing strength for their families through the highs, lows, frustrations and joys. However, their voices are rarely heard, so with this simple gesture of lending their status, users can provide them with a mouthpiece to tell people what it’s really like to be a mother in Africa.
‘In the course of her career, a midwife will save a thousand lives. This is why we are raising awareness of the importance of midwives – they are the key to their communities’ health’, Grace Mukasa, CEO at AMREF UK
As well as giving African women a voice, you can also support AMREF to train more midwives.
Join the best way to celebrate Mother’s Day this year - use the App and spread the word!
For more information about the campaign, please contact Victoria Rugg, Communications Manager on 0207 269 6867 or v.rugg@amrefuk.org