HiHFAD Joins Every Pregnancy (Formerly For Mama): A New Chapter in Maternal and Newborn Health
In a bold step toward advancing global maternal and newborn health, and for the second year in a row Hand in Hand for Aid and Development (HiHFAD) is proud to announce its membership in the Every Pregnancy (EP) Alliance and Organization. This marks an exciting evolution from the widely recognized “For Mama” movement to a broader, more inclusive vision under the banner of @everypregnancy.
The For Mama initiative has made significant strides in improving maternal health outcomes and saving lives. Building on this legacy, Every Pregnancy aims to expand the mission, focusing on creating impactful partnerships and implementing life-saving interventions for mothers and babies worldwide.
This milestone announcement was made during the For Mama Partner Convening, hosted on December 9–10, 2024, at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation headquarters in Seattle. Representing Hand in Hand for Aid and Development (HiHFAD) was Mr. Moustafa Shikho, Senior Advocacy, Media, and Communications Coordinator. The convening brought together partners from across the globe to:
- Foster stronger relationships and open avenues for collaborative action.
- Explore innovative maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) interventions and campaign ideas for 2025 and beyond.
- Introduce the rebranded “Every Pregnancy” initiative alongside its updated strategic plan.
- Strategize for the Ramadan 2025 fundraising campaign, aiming to exceed previous records.
A Collaborative History of Impact
Since its inception in June 2023, the For Mama campaign has united over 30 Muslim philanthropies worldwide to support maternal and newborn health initiatives. Together, these organizations shaped the campaign’s focus, messaging, and branding, leveraging their unique networks to amplify the message.
Key highlights include:
- Global Reach: 37 charity partners across the US, UK, Türkiye, Pakistan, and beyond reached over 15 million people in 100+ countries via social media.
- Influence: More than 50 high-value influencers, including Paul Pogba and prominent Muslim scholars, helped spread awareness.
- Ramadan Success: The Ramadan 2024 campaign raised over $13 million, supported by a $3M boost from the Gates Foundation.
- Media Presence: Coverage in 200 outlets reached 97.4 million viewers.
Pioneering Achievements
The campaign marked several firsts:
- Muslim philanthropies collaborated across borders to advocate for maternal health.
- A fatwa was secured to make maternal health programs eligible for Zakat.
- The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation supported a community-driven campaign of this scale for the first time.
“This transition symbolizes our commitment to an even brighter future for maternal and newborn health, and our shared vision with Every Pregnancy will amplify our collective efforts, ensuring no mother or child is left behind.” said Mr. Shikho.
Stay tuned as we share updates, stories of impact, and ways you can support this movement. Together, we can build a world where every pregnancy is safe, and every mother and baby thrives.
Follow the journey with #ForMama, #EveryPregnancy, #MaternalHealth, and #NewbornHealth.
Photo Credit: Adeel Hassan (@abigdeel) ASH PHOTO & MEDIA
