Rtn Renata Presentation on Maternal & Child Health Month as part of Rotary Club of Princes Town learning for this 2025-2026 rotary year.
July is designated as Maternal and Child Health Month by Rotary International, emphasizing the organization's commitment to improving
the well-being of mothers and children.
This is one of Rotary’s seven Areas of Focus — and a powerful opportunity to save lives and empower communities.”
the well-being of mothers and children.
This is one of Rotary’s seven Areas of Focus — and a powerful opportunity to save lives and empower communities.”
According to UNICEF and UN reports
Each year, 5.9 million children under the age of five die from preventable causes like malnutrition, lack of access to healthcare, and
poor sanitation.
Even more tragic—over 800 women die every day due to complications during pregnancy or childbirth.
What’s heart-breaking is that most of these deaths are completely preventable.
Rotary believes that no mother should die giving life, and no child should lose life for lack of care.”
Each year, 5.9 million children under the age of five die from preventable causes like malnutrition, lack of access to healthcare, and
poor sanitation.
Even more tragic—over 800 women die every day due to complications during pregnancy or childbirth.
What’s heart-breaking is that most of these deaths are completely preventable.
Rotary believes that no mother should die giving life, and no child should lose life for lack of care.”
Rotary addresses this crisis through several strategies.
We support immunization campaigns, provide clean birth kits, fund midwife and nurse training, and bring services to remote areas
through mobile clinics.
Rotary clubs also lead education programs to promote breastfeeding, nutrition, and disease prevention — and in some regions,
they’re using telehealth to overcome geographic barriers.
This is all about building local capacity so mothers and children thrive in a long-term, sustainable way.”
through mobile clinics.
Rotary clubs also lead education programs to promote breastfeeding, nutrition, and disease prevention — and in some regions,
they’re using telehealth to overcome geographic barriers.
This is all about building local capacity so mothers and children thrive in a long-term, sustainable way.”
"Let’s look at a few inspiring examples:
In Guatemala and Panama, traditional midwives were trained and equipped, saving lives in remote Indigenous communities via the
Manchichi midwife health monitoring program
Manchichi midwife health monitoring program
In Haiti, mobile clinics deliver prenatal care to women in hard-to-reach rural areas.
In Uganda: Rotary-provided tricycle ambulances (known as tuktuks) to improve emergency access, especially for remote mothers
In Nigeria, Rotary helped launch a $3 million program that’s repaired over 1,500 cases of obstetric fistula — giving women dignity and
health again.
health again.
And in the South Pacific, we helped immunize over 100,000 children via the Give Every Child a Future program
These projects show the diversity and depth of Rotary’s impact.”
The Role of Action Groups in Rotary
Rotarian Action Groups (formally "fellowships") serve as a resource to Rotary clubs and districts, assisting in the
planning and implementation of international service projects in their area of expertise (see Rotary Code of
Rotarian Action Groups (formally "fellowships") serve as a resource to Rotary clubs and districts, assisting in the
planning and implementation of international service projects in their area of expertise (see Rotary Code of
Policies, 42.030.2.). While operating in accordance with Rotary policy, they are organized autonomously by
Rotarians, Rotaractors and affiliates with experience in a specific field.
Rotarians, Rotaractors and affiliates with experience in a specific field.
The Rotarian Action Group for Reproductive Maternal and Child health (RMCH) is an international non-profit
organization with 25 years of experience in maternal and child health, including family planning. Within the
context of Rotary International, RMCH assists Rotary clubs and districts in the planning, implementation and co-
funding of projects in MCH and organizes discussions on the implications of these activities for families,
communities and countries. The central aim of this endeavour is to foster improvements in human well-being and
dignity, women's empowerment and a sustainable balance between population and environment. These objectives
are in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) "reducing maternal and child mortality and ensuring
universal access to sexual and reproductive health care services."
organization with 25 years of experience in maternal and child health, including family planning. Within the
context of Rotary International, RMCH assists Rotary clubs and districts in the planning, implementation and co-
funding of projects in MCH and organizes discussions on the implications of these activities for families,
communities and countries. The central aim of this endeavour is to foster improvements in human well-being and
dignity, women's empowerment and a sustainable balance between population and environment. These objectives
are in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) "reducing maternal and child mortality and ensuring
universal access to sexual and reproductive health care services."
“Let’s bring this closer to home.
In Trinidad & Tobago, the Rotary Club of Diego Martin recently hosted a health fair focused on mothers and children.
In Trinidad & Tobago, the Rotary Club of Diego Martin recently hosted a health fair focused on mothers and children.
They offered prenatal screenings, pediatric checkups, and education on mental health and nutrition.
This kind of local service shows how clubs everywhere can take Rotary’s global goals and apply them in meaningful, community-driven
ways.”
This kind of local service shows how clubs everywhere can take Rotary’s global goals and apply them in meaningful, community-driven
ways.”
THESE ARE SOME OF THE WAYS ROTARY CLUBS CAN CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS CHILD AND MATERNAL HEALTH:
Host a health fair or awareness event
Immunization Drives
Mobile Clinics
Partner with local clinics or midwives
Sponsor training or equipment through a Rotary Global Grant
Immunization Drives
Mobile Clinics
Partner with local clinics or midwives
Sponsor training or equipment through a Rotary Global Grant
Or help raise funds through ‘Raise for Rotary’ — where you can dedicate donations to maternal and child health.
You don’t need a big budget — just a big heart and a good plan.”
You don’t need a big budget — just a big heart and a good plan.”