Black Maternal Health Week, April 11-17 2021, was established in the United States to raise awareness about the alarming rate at which Black mothers face life-threatening experiences while pregnant.
In November 2020, the Joint Committee on Human Rights released a report titled Black People, Racism and Human Rights. At the time, it found black women were five times more likely to die during pregnancy, childbirth and up to six weeks post-partum, than white women.
Between 2020 and 2021, there has been a slight reduction in death rates for black women, “but researchers say this decrease is small”.
At this point it is important to note that the UK has one of the lowest maternal mortality rates globally, but there is a clear disparity in who is dying.
A recent documentary about Black women and maternity care in the UK on Channel 4 called Dispatches: Black Maternity Scandal, set out to investigate the reasons behind this shocking statistic.
The Black Maternity Scandal: Dispatches – All 4 (channel4.com)
Fivexmore campaigners have also petitioned to “Improve Maternal Mortality Rates and Health Care for Black Women in the UK”. The petition hit over 187,000 signatures and is going to be debated by Government on the 19th of April 2021.
Fivexmore are using April 2021 as a month of advocacy and are asking for support to amplify the voices of Black women and create long lasting change.
You can find out more about their campaign and resources at FIVEXMORE.
