The COVID-19 pandemic is globally not only a health crisis but an economic and societal crisis as well.  As all of us struggle to professionally and personally support our communities, friends and families, we often feel stretched thin and challenged to lean in as effectively as possible.  Today's post provides resources to help us raise our collective voices to protect families during this stressful time.

As I shared in a post a few years ago, on this blog, The White Ribbon Alliance (WRA) states that they “envision a world where all girls and women realize their right to quality health and well-being. Our mission of activating a people-led movement for reproductive, maternal and newborn health and rights accelerates progress by putting citizens at the center of global, national and local efforts.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the WRA has created the Safer Together: Respectful Maternity Care in COVID-19 campaign and designed an advocacy and communications agenda that people everywhere can use to protect and support the experiences of birthing families worldwide.  This material can easily be adapted to your local needs as necessary. Your participation can help ensure that parents’ and newborns’ rights are protected.  Absent the efforts of everyone the WRA states that “the strain on the healthcare system created by the pandemic response will lead to unnecessary increases in maternal and neonatal death or disability.”

The Safer Together campaign has calls to action for governments, nongovernmental organizations, the media, professional associations, health care decision makers and donors.  In other words, something for everyone!

Additionally, the WRA’s Safer Together materials include downloads and fact sheets for consumers and professionals in several languages along with an extensive list of relevant global resources.  There is also a comprehensive social media toolkit available that you are free to utilize and adapt. The graphics are simple yet impactful.

Some of the messaging you can easily share includes:

As women, families and healthworkers grapple with pregnancy and childbirth amidst the #COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to rely on evidence to guide health practices and policies. #SaferTogether

All pregnant women, including those with confirmed or suspected #COVID-19 infections, have the right to high quality care before, during and after childbirth.Comprehensive and respectful maternity care – in times of #COVID and beyond – includes antenatal, intrapartum, postnatal, newborn and mental health care. #SaferTogether #RespectfulCare

#DYK: WHO recommends pregnant women with #COVID-19 symptoms be prioritized for testing and if positive, may need specialized care. #SaferTogether

C-sections should only be performed when medically justified, even during the #COVID-19 pandemic. Birth method should be individualized and based on a woman’s preferences alongside health provider recommendations. #SaferTogether #RespectfulCare

Mothers and infants are #SaferTogether and should be enabled to remain together and practice skin-to-skin contact, especially immediately after birth during establishment of breastfeeding, whether they or their infants have suspected, probable, or confirmed COVID-19. #RespectfulCare

Even if a newborn is in the neonatal unit, mothers should be supported to express milk, have access to the unit and participate in the care of the baby. #SaferTogether #RespectfulCare

On behalf of the White Ribbon Alliance and the Safer Together campaign, I invite you to share the links and information provided here and make use of the materials to raise your voice to ensure that families and babies are receiving appropriate, safe and respectful care during this global health crisis, regardless of their COVID-19 status or the situation in their communities.

Published: April 22, 2020

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