This month, the organisation has held a timetable of events to raise awareness of the fact that Black women are four to five times more likely to die in childbirth than White women. This has included a parliamentary debate after 187,000 people signed their petition. More below.
It has been a hugely important one for Five X More. April Advocacy month has seen a public meeting, a parliamentary debate, a Black Maternity Experience survey and the launch of ‘I am here to listen’ badges with Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospital.
The organisation held a public meeting on 15 April discussing the terrible statistic that Black women are four to five times more likely to die during pregnancy, childbirth, and six weeks after, compared to White women.
Diane Abbott MP, Dr. Shola Mos-Shogbamimu and Diversity and Inclusion Adviser Sarah Alonge, as well as Tinuke and Clo from Five X More, spoke passionately about how change needs to happen.
187,000 people signed a petition to improve maternal mortality rates and health outcomes for Black women in the UK
Then, on Monday 19 April, MPs debated these dire maternal outcomes for Black women in parliament.
This came after 187,000 people signed a petition to improve maternal mortality rates and health outcomes for Black women in the UK. Harriet Harman MP, Florence Eshalomi MP and Bell Ribiero-Addy MP were among members of parliament who spoke about what needs to be done by the government in the face of these appaling statistics.
Now, Five X More is conducting a national survey into Black women and birthing people’s experience of maternity care in the UK in the last five years. If you’d like to fill it in, the link to the survey is here.
Then, on 28 April, Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospital were the first hospital to take part in a scheme where staff members wore a “I am here to listen” badge, alongside attending training sessions on taking active steps to ensure safer care for Black women.
You can get involved in the Five X More campaign with simple steps from writing to your MP to taking a selfie. Find out more here.
