National Safe Motherhood Day 2023: NSMD Date, Theme, History & Significance

National Safe Motherhood Day is celebrated on 11 April. Know the theme, history, and significance

Happy National Safe Motherhood Day 2023

(Image: iStock)

National Safe Motherhood Day is celebrated on 11 April every year and it is an important day for all the mothers or expecting mothers. It is one of the best initiatives taken by the Indian government with an aim to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths.

The National Safe Motherhood Day is observed to raise awareness about the need for care, medical check-ups, and health support to ensure safe motherhood. Let's know the theme, history, and significance for National Safe Motherhood Day 2023.

National Safe Motherhood Day 2023: Theme

The theme of National Safe Motherhood Day 2023 has not been announced yet.

National Safe Motherhood Day 2023: History

The first National Safe Motherhood Day celebration was the result of the efforts of the White Ribbon Alliance India (WRAI). They drew the government’s attention towards the importance of good health for mothers and pregnant women and they worked tirelessly towards an aim to make women aware about the importance of healthcare habits and the availability and accessibility of various healthcare programmes for women during pregnancy, childbirth, and post-natal care.

It was in the year 2003 when the central government of India declared April 11 as the National Safe Motherhood Day. This day also marks the birth anniversary of Kasturba Gandhi, the wife of Mahatma Gandhi.

The government of India utilized the birth anniversary of Kasturba Gandhi, to generate awareness of safe motherhood amongst the people.

National Safe Motherhood Day 2023: Significance

We all know how important women are for the society and we need to appreciate their contribution in taking forward the human life. It is the efforts of the society, organizations, families, closed ones, government and women themselves to look after themselves and their babies during their pregnancy and after child birth. The health of pregnant and new mothers along with their newborn children is the reflection of the society.

According to the stats by WHO,

- Approximately 830 women die every day from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth.

- In developing countries 99% maternal deaths occurs.

- In women maternal mortality is higher basically living in rural areas and among poorer communities.

- As compared to women, young adolescents face a higher risk of complications and death as a result of pregnancy.

- We can't ignore the fact that skilled care before, during and after childbirth can save the lives of women and newborn babies.

- Maternal mortality worldwide dropped by about 44% in between 1990 and 2015.

One of the aim under the Sustainable Development Goals in between 2016 and 2030 is to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100000 live births.

India is making efforts to lower the MMR ratio and provide a positive outlook on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) target of an MMR less than 70 well before the stipulated time of 2030. The various government initiatives include Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) and Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA).