Last Sunday, Mother’s Day was celebrated in a very special way in five Danish cities, where around 730 participants gathered for a stroller march to raise awareness about maternal mortality on a global scale. The event, organized by Sex & Samfund (Sex & Society), had both adults and children on the route, and funds were raised for a good cause. Maria Lindhardt, political director at Sex & Samfund, emphasizes the importance of this event: “Maternal mortality is a disaster that costs nearly 800 women their lives daily due to complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. These deaths could often be avoided with better access to medical care.” The marches took place in cities like Copenhagen, where participants walked through Fælledparken. “The atmosphere was festive, and there were many activities for the participants. It was a day where we could truly celebrate mothers all around the world,” says Maria Lindhardt.
The event resulted in a donation of 73,000 Danish kroner from RFSU, a Swedish company known for their sexual health products. These funds will be used in Sex & Samfund’s projects in Kenya and Uganda, where the organization is working to improve women’s access to health services, including ensuring opportunities for abortion and access to midwives. “Our efforts are focused on educating women so they can support each other during pregnancies and ensure they receive the necessary medical assistance,” Lindhardt explains.
This is the third year in a row that Sex & Samfund has organized the stroller march on Mother’s Day, and each year it seems that the event grows and raises greater awareness about a critical global health issue.