Every year, millions of women in vulnerable regions around the world give birth without any medical assistance.
To help address this global health issue, the Zonta Club of Northside will host its annual Birthing Kit Assembly Workshop at Aspley Hornets this month, inviting community members to take part in assembling kits that provide a clean and safe environment for delivery.
Emily Laverie, President of Zonta Club of Northside, said Birthing Kit Day was important because it raised awareness about safe childbirth.
“It focuses on providing birthing kits with essential supplies for clean and safe deliveries, especially in areas where resources are limited,” Emily said. “The day helps reduce maternal and newborn mortality rates and promotes education on prenatal and postnatal care. It’s a global effort to improve health for mothers and babies everywhere!”
The initiative is run in collaboration with the Birthing Kit Foundation of Australia (BKFA), a not-for-profit organisation working to ensure all women and girls have access to a clean and safe birth.
Assembling Kits to Save Lives
In 2023, the Zonta Club of Northside and volunteers assembled 400 kits, which were sent to women in Tanzania. In 2024, they increased their effort, assembling 600 kits that were distributed to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Papua New Guinea.
“The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that 99% of all maternal deaths and the vast majority of newborn deaths occur in low and middle-income countries,” Emily said. “Sadly, over 300,000 women and 2.5 million babies die annually in childbirth, many from preventable infections.
“Good hygiene is critical in eliminating infection during and after childbirth. By providing a clean birthing kit, mothers giving birth at home or with limited medical support have the resources to reduce their exposure to disease and infection.”
During the Aspley Hornets workshop, volunteers will help package essential supplies, including soap, plastic sheeting, gloves, gauze, cord ties, and sterile blades — all designed to minimise the risk of infection during childbirth.
“Each item in the kit works to reduce infections at high-risk moments of care during labour, birth and post-birth for the mother, newborn and birth attendant,” Emily said.
Register your attendance via the Facebook event or by emailing zontaclubofnorthside@gmail.com
Birthing Kit Assembly Workshop
- Sunday, 31 August, from 2pm
- Aspley Hornets
- 50 Graham Road, Carseldine
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