One-minute silence for mothers across the world

In the run up to Mother's Day, leading charities hold a one-minute silence to draw attention to the thousands of pregnant women who die each year all over the world.

As Mother's Day approaches this weekend, leading charities including Save the Children, Oxfam and the White Ribbon Alliance are coming together with politicians and celebrities to stage a one-minute silence on Friday 12th March for mothers across the world.

The Minute for Mothers event, which has been organised by Save the Children, is to highlight the terrible plight currently faced by millions of pregnant women and their babies in countries around the world.

The event, which hopes to place pressure on politicians to significantly improve maternal and child healthcare in developing countries, will see 3,000 white roses laid across Old Palace Yard. These will represent the 3,000 pregnant women that will needlessly lose their lives this Mother's Day weekend.

It has been reported that complications in pregnancy and childbirth kill one mother every minute, every day, while two million children are still dying every year on the day they are born.

What makes these heartbreaking statistics even more tragic is that these deaths are preventable. They are treatable complications faced by many women and babies in the UK.

"It's tragic that so many mothers will needlessly die this Mother's Day weekend, especially when we know what's needed to save them," says Jasmine Whitbread, Chief Executive for Save the Children.

"It's not just mothers' lives that are at risk - it's children too. Without their mums, children everywhere are far more vulnerable," she added.

Any Marie Claire readers who are interested in taking part can find out more information on www.savethechildren.org.uk

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