Driving Systemic Change in Maternal Healthcare
We believe every birth deserves respect and safety. Beyond individual support, we advocate for systemic changes to ensure every mother's voice is heard in Bengaluru's healthcare system.
Our work goes beyond training; we advocate for systemic change. This image represents our call to action for improved maternal and newborn safety in our healthcare system. We believe in demanding accountability and promoting practices that ensure no life is lost to preventable failures.
On Suicide Prevention Day, we highlight the link between maternal mental health and reducing maternal mortality. This graphic series explains how quality healthcare, including prenatal, skilled birth, and postnatal care, is crucial for both physical and mental well-being.
We celebrate and advocate for midwifery-led care. Midwives provide compassionate, personalized, and empowering support that makes each birth a unique and cherished experience. We believe they are central to a respectful and safe maternity care system.
Our work intersects with public health and urban planning. Here, our co-founder Asha Kilaru participates in a workshop on Bengaluru's "Blue-Green Commons," advocating for the importance of open, green spaces around government hospitals as vital areas for healing and well-being.
A moment from the "Reclaim and Turn Inclusive Bengaluru" workshop where community members discussed pathways for pro-people and pro-ecology planning. We believe that a healthy city with accessible public spaces contributes to the overall health of its families.
A wider view of the engaged audience at the Environmental Social Group workshop. Our participation ensures that the perspective of maternal and child health is included in broader conversations about creating a healthier, more inclusive city for everyone.
We were present at the Aastrika Foundation's important discussion on "Too Much, Too Soon: India's Rising C-Section Rates." This image captures the speakers on stage, highlighting the high-level engagement needed to address this critical issue in maternal health.
About this collection
We don't just talk about change; we engage with policymakers and healthcare leaders to address critical issues like rising C-section rates and maternal safety. Whether it is leading workshops for ASHA workers on perinatal care or advocating for healing, green spaces around government hospitals, our focus is on building a healthcare environment that prioritizes mothers and babies.
Our advocacy work is rooted in the belief that systemic improvements start with data, transparency, and community participation. We track and highlight statistics—such as the high C-section rates across South India—and create platforms for open dialogue with medical experts, government officials, and NGOs.
Why We Advocate
Our goal is to ensure maternal healthcare is not just clinical, but compassionate. We actively participate in discussions like the 'Too Much, Too Soon' initiative, calling for medically necessary care rather than elective procedures. We also emphasize the 'Blue-Green Commons' approach, arguing that open, accessible, and green spaces around government hospitals are vital for the physical and mental well-being of expectant mothers and recovering patients.
Our Approach
- Policy Engagement: We collaborate with foundations and government stakeholders to promote schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) for free, quality antenatal checkups.
- Training the Frontline: We believe change happens on the ground. By training nurses, ASHA workers, and community health associates in 'Language of Birth' and emergency management, we empower the frontline workers who interact with mothers every day.
- Community Voice: We host workshops that invite feedback and open questions, ensuring that the lived experiences of mothers influence policy and practice.
We work to ensure that 'respectful maternity care' isn't just a term, but a standard practice across every PHC and private clinic in Bengaluru.
Bangalore Birth Network
We are a collective of doctors, counselors, and volunteers who know that motherhood is a journey best traveled with support. We work tirelessly to ensure that maternal healthcare isn't just clinical, but compassionate and evidence-based.
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