Soroptimists Give Gift of Life This Mother’s Day

Women in Papua New Guinea are being given the best possible Mother’s Day gift of all this year - the gift of a live and healthy newborn baby in their arms – thanks to Soroptimist International members from around the South West Pacific (SISWP).

SISWP will this year spend $400,000 in Papua New Guinea on the Soroptimist International Birthing in the Pacific (BIP) Project, Improving Maternal Health, providing education services, training resources and utensils.

The funds will be aimed at up-skilling nurses, midwives and community health workers to help provide women with one of the greatest joys of all – being able to hold a healthy baby in their arms.

With the media around the world focussed on the birth of a new Royal princess, and Mother’s Day just around the corner, it is worth reflecting that three women per day die in Papua New Guinea due to complications of pregnancy or childbirth.

According to SISWP President Carolyn Hudson, Birthing in the Pacific aims to save lives by increasing access to skilled birth attendants and health care services in Papua New Guinea.

“Most maternal deaths could be prevented if skilled birth attendants were available to recognise problems or provide treatment. Birthing in the Pacific supports training at various levels including for Village Birth Attendants (VBAs),” Ms Hudson said.

“In remote areas, training VBAs is vital as they can recognise potential problems, giving the expectant mother time to reach a birthing centre. Women who have many children close together are at particularly high risk, so working with the wider community to raise awareness of reproductive health and family planning are also a key part of the project. “

This Mother’s Day, SISWP members are being encouraged to donate to the BIP project instead of purchasing a present for their mother. Donations can be made to SISWP Headquarters, for onward transmission to Birthing in the Pacific via the following details:

• Soroptimist International SWP Headquarters Office, PO Box 746, SURRY HILLS, NSW, 2010, Australia. Tel: +61 2 8096 6072 hq@siswp.org

Soroptimist International is a global volunteer movement working together to transform the lives of women and girls. Soroptimist International South West Pacific has clubs in 13 countries: Australia, Cambodia, Fiji, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Samoa, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Singapore, Papua New Guinea and Thailand.

Members of Soroptimist International South West Pacific are based all over South West Pacific with backgrounds spanning from busy mothers to business professionals. All women have one thing in common; they volunteer their time to this tremendous organisation and its projects. They are inspirational and passionate about developing lives of women and children in both their local communities and around the world.

For more information go to: www.siswp.org

For interviews please contact: Soroptimist International South West Pacific President

Carolyn Hudson Phone: +61 0419 902 364, Email: swppresident@siswp.org.

For media inquiries contact: Soroptimist International South West Pacific Public

Relations Convenor Denise Smithson +61 0419 923 071;

swppublicrelations@siswp.org.