International Day of the Midwife Rally

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jamarah Amani

Tel: 786/587-8741

Email: jamarah@gmail.com

MOTHERS AND CONCERNED COMMUNITY RALLY IN SUPPORT OF MIDWIVES

The public is invited to the International Day of the Midwife Rally on Thursday May 5, 2011 at 5pm in Miami to raise awareness about the important role of midwives in improving maternal and infant health.

April 21, 2011 – Miami, FL – Midwives take to the road to tackle maternal mortality. Midwives and their supporters around the world are gathering to raise awareness to tackle global inequalities in maternal and infant health. On Thursday May 5^th at 5pm, Birthworkers of Color United, a local collective of midwives, doulas, childbirth educators and breastfeeding counselors, will lead mothers and community in a rally on 33^rd Street and Biscayne Boulevard in Miami to mark the International Day of the Midwife. Over 340,000 women die each year, with millions more suffering infection and disability, as a result of preventable causes. Locally, in Miami-Dade county, the infant mortality rate is rising and disproportionately impacting African-American communities. According to the Miami-Dade County Health Department, Black babies are twice as likely to die in the first year of life as White babies.

Birthworkers of Color United is committed to reducing inequality, through greater access to essential midwifery care locally and worldwide. Mothers and midwives around the world will be walking with us, in their respective locations. The goal is to demonstrate commitment to tackling maternal and newborn mortality by standing shoulder to shoulder with midwives and mothers around the world. Mothers and babies deserve to get the support they need through increased global and local commitment to midwifery services.

The walk on the 5th of May is the start of a journey that finishes at the International Confederation of Midwives Congress in Durban, South Africa, a global gathering where 3000 midwives will share evidence of what works to reduce maternal mortality and improve the care and support available to mothers and newborns around the world. For more information contact Jamarah Amani at 786-587-8741 orjamarah@gmail.com.

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