Maternity Project

©PaoloPatrunoPhoto

In Malawi, in the local language the words for pregnancy - “pakati” and “matenda”- translate into “between life and death” and “sick”, respectively.

Every year, in Africa 200.000 mothers die from complications of pregnancy and childbirth; and for every woman who dies, many others suffer injury, infection or disability.

Every year 1,5 million African children are left without a mother.

A mother's death is a human tragedy, affecting families and communities. Her death endangers the lives of a surviving newborn and any other young children; a mother's death makes it harder for the family to obtain life's necessities and escape the crush of poverty.

A great many of these deaths are preventable, when women have access to quality prevention, diagnostic, and treatment services; most maternal death and morbidity can be prevented when pregnancy and childbirth are attended by skilled health professionals (nurses, midwives or doctors).

That’s not for women in poor and remote communities, far from the nearest health services. Moreover, reproductive health issue affected most of all young women and girls: in many communities girls still marry when very young and contraceptive advice is poor or non-existent.

"Birth is a dream" I named my photography project about maternity in Africa, thanks to inspiration I received from my friend Rachel Mac Leod, who lives and works as a midwife in Malawi.

What is mothers dream? How far is for them the dream of a safe birth ? Why safe motherhood is still a dream for the african mothers ?

Photography is a great and strong way of communication and change: through images I wish to raise awareness about maternity in Africa.