The White Ribbon Alliance (WRA) is an international non-profit organization that advocates for maternal health. The alliance focuses on ending maternal mortality and improving the health of mothers and newborns. The nonpartisan, non-governmental membership organization was initially established in 1999 as the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood. It operates as an alliance convening many global, national and sub-national partners.
| Formation | 1999 |
|---|---|
| Type | International coalition |
Chief Executive Officer | Kristy Kade |
| Website | whiteribbonalliance |
The White Ribbon Alliance organises stakeholders' meetings through its National Alliances. It supports reproductive health and reproductive rights.[1]
The White Ribbon Alliance was formed in 1999 as an informal coalition of non-governmental organizations.[2] It is registered as a 501(c)(3) organization in the United States. The organization maintains an extensive network of Alliances and members around the world, including 14 National Alliances in Bangladesh,[3] India,[1] Indonesia, Kenya,[4] Malawi,[5] Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria,[6] Pakistan,[7] Uganda, United Kingdom, and Zimbabwe.[8]
In 2011, the White Ribbon Alliance led an effort to create a charter for Respectful Maternity Care that detailed the rights of women who seek maternity care.[9][1] White Ribbon Alliance India established National Safe Motherhood Day in 2003. The annual observance on 11 April coincides with the birthday of Kasturba Gandhi.[10] As part of its campaign against gender-based violence, the Alliance established the Flint Festival of Rights in 2023. The event included the exhibition of the Red Dress collaborative embroidery project.[11]
The White Ribbon Alliance has received support from the MacArthur Foundation,[12] the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Amref Health Africa.[5]
References edit
- ^ a b c "White Ribbon Alliance India endorses 'Respectful Maternity Care' charter for the country on Safe Motherhood Day". The Economic Times. 12 April 2016.
- ^ Muza, Sharon (14 March 2017). "White Ribbon Alliance and The Respectful Maternity Care Council - Changing Women's Lives Worldwide". Lamaze International.
- ^ George, Joby (28 May 2019). "Safe Motherhood Day: Unite for women's rights for respectful care". The Daily Star.
- ^ Joe, Ojwang (22 September 2023). "Lobby launches Respectful Maternity Care campaign to dignify women". Capital News.
- ^ a b Mlanjira, Duncan (20 August 2020). "White Ribbon Alliance lobby Malawi Parliament for increase family planning budget". Nyasa Times.
- ^ Awofadeji, Segun (23 May 2022). "White Ribbon Alliance, WHO Engage Stakeholders on Workplan for Implementing Self care in Bauchi". This Day.
- ^ "Pakistan midwife training programme addresses maternal mortality". UN Women. 19 September 2023.
- ^ "White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood Zimbabwe Profile". Kubatana. 8 April 2022.
- ^ Al-Makaleh, Bushra; Howard, Heather M.B.; Ateva, Elena (16 August 2017). "RMC is not a Luxury: The Case for Respectful Maternity Care in Humanitarian Settings". ReliefWeb.
- ^ Arora, Sumit (11 April 2023). "National Safe Motherhood Day 2023 observed on 11th April". Adda247.
- ^ Scott, Cara (13 January 2023). "The Red Dress has come to Bristol". Bristol24/7.
- ^ "White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood, Global Secretariat". MacArthur Foundation. Retrieved 24 September 2023.