Help a mother, help her children: why maternal health is Week Five’s topic - #putchildrenfirst

Maternal health is crucial for the well-being of a child because, without a mother, the life of a child is at risk. Losing a mother means that children are missing at least one parent, and, a single parent is often forced to give up their children for lack of shelter and opportunity.

Mothers can pass on diseases like HIV/AIDS to their unborn children, and they themselves are susceptible to a variety of other risks during their pregnancy. Without proper health care or even a skilled attendant at delivery, these women’s lives are on the line.

Canada recently hosted the Save Every Woman and Every Child global summit. This event was largely led by the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Network of Canada, of which SOS is a part. It emphasized the importance of keeping the momentum going for improving maternal as well as child health, both of which are very important to Canada. This week of the Put Children First campaign will focus on this topic and highlight what can be done to change maternal health around the world.

For more of our Put Children First campaign, please follow our Twitter and Facebook. Keep others in the loop by using the hashtag #putchildrenfirst!

Canadian's wishing to support SOS Children's Villages are encouraged to sponsor a child, sponsor a village or to make a direct donation. Your support ensures that SOS Children's Villages can continue to provide a safe and loving home to orphan and abandoned children worldwide.