Econet

Safe Motherhood Day

For many mothers it is a day to reckindle that pain....

Author: Shamim Nayiga

Date: December 26, 2022

Celebrated around the world throughout the year, Mother’s Day is exactly that: celebratory. But for some women, motherhood can be fraught. They have become mothers not by choice, but…: …against their will as a result of rape – by a partner or stranger – or where sexual violence is used as a weapon of conflict. …because it is expected of them by their cultures and families, even if they are not physically or emotionally ready for pregnancy. …without knowing how conception works due to a lack of comprehensive sexual education. And when they do know, they have become mothers because of a lack of access to adequate family planning services. Parenthood comes with sacrifices, no doubt. They may have had to forego higher degrees, promotions or relocations. If they return to work after raising children, they may have outdated skills and face the “motherhood pay gap.” With long retirements due to longevity, their “choices” may leave them in precarious financial situations. But the steepest price some women pay for becoming pregnant is never having the chance to experience motherhood. The global maternal mortality ratio is 211 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2017. The Sustainable Development Goals call for reducing that number to 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030.

Econet

Safe Motherhood Day

For many mothers it is a day to reckindle that pain....

Author: Shamim Nayiga

Date: December 26, 2022

Celebrated around the world throughout the year, Mother’s Day is exactly that: celebratory. But for some women, motherhood can be fraught. They have become mothers not by choice, but…: …against their will as a result of rape – by a partner or stranger – or where sexual violence is used as a weapon of conflict. …because it is expected of them by their cultures and families, even if they are not physically or emotionally ready for pregnancy. …without knowing how conception works due to a lack of comprehensive sexual education. And when they do know, they have become mothers because of a lack of access to adequate family planning services. Parenthood comes with sacrifices, no doubt. They may have had to forego higher degrees, promotions or relocations. If they return to work after raising children, they may have outdated skills and face the “motherhood pay gap.” With long retirements due to longevity, their “choices” may leave them in precarious financial situations. But the steepest price some women pay for becoming pregnant is never having the chance to experience motherhood. The global maternal mortality ratio is 211 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2017. The Sustainable Development Goals call for reducing that number to 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030.