This past Sunday, we celebrated Mother’s Day.
There is a famous line from Mark Twain’s autobiography, “My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it.”
I have heard it said that no one understands a mother quite like another mother. Now, I’m not saying I was a handful, but I think my mom and Mark Twain’s mother would have got along famously.
You see, motherhood is universal. Around the world, a mother’s greatest wish is as simple as it is profound: A better future for her children. As far as I’m concerned, there can be no more accurate measuring stick for human progress.
Here in the developed world, our mothers work tirelessly to guide us towards healthy and fulfilling futures. Yet, in impoverished regions where basic healthcare is considered a luxury, many mothers fight a pitched battle every day just to keep themselves and their children alive. How best to help these mothers will be the subject of a high level summit of global experts on maternal, newborn and child health, to be held May 28 to 30.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, maternal health has become one of Canada’s top international priorities.
Following Canada’s lead, our G-8 and non-G8 partners committed a total of $7.3 billion for the initiative. According to World Health Organization and World Bank estimates, the funds leveraged by the Muskoka Initiative will save the lives of 1.3 million children and 64,000 mothers.
The number of women who die each year during pregnancy or childbirth has dropped substantially – from 543,000 deaths in 1990 to 287,000 in 2011. In addition, the number of deaths in children under the age of five has dropped from nearly 12 million in 1990 to 6.6 million in 2012.
Our work is far from done, and the upcoming summit will provide experts, international organizations, civil society, the private sector, and other foundations with the opportunity to focus on future international efforts. Mothers around the world never stop seeking a better future for their children. We must follow their example, and work to ensure all women and children can live healthy and productive lives.
For more information, contact Richards at 613-513-4999.
