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Pregnant women and new mothers are facing a tough time in the recession. Maternity benefits have been cut or means tested. Public criticism of maternity rights has given employers the confidence to treat women badly. The laws which should protect women’s jobs are being flouted. Changing maternity leave arrangements may put pressure on women to return to work early. Funding cuts are reducing services for mothers and babies at time when the number of births is growing.

We need the Government to champion pregnant women and new mothers, not make life more difficult. Don’t introduce a new maternity and parental leave scheme which reduces rights for women, reduces family incomes and which few fathers will take-up. Start pulling employers into line when they do the wrong thing by pregnant women and new mothers. Stop cuts to NHS maternity services and services for families. The need for support is growing not shrinking.
Pregnant women and new mothers are carrying the burden of the recession. That’s not right. It is time we started valuing maternity.


We are calling for:

• Job security for all women during pregnancy and maternity
• Maternity and parental leave that promotes real equality
• Services to support a safe and healthy pregnancy

You can read coverage of the campaign below:

MP speaks out for new mothers | Messenger | 01.11.12

Valuing Maternity: a guide to women’s rights | Women’s Views on News | 04.10.12

Mel Stride MP – Out of Step? | Unions21 | 29.09.12

Austerity policies have increased the pressure on midwives | Left Foot Forward | 22.08.12

We should be valuing pregnant women and new mothers, not sacking them | Women’s Views on News | 17.08.12

Valuing Maternity Campaign | National Union of Journalists | 01.08.12

Demythologizing the Pregnant Worker | Huffington Post Blog | 27.07.12

If the coalition is committed to families, why are maternity services being cut? | New Statesman | 24.07.12

How cuts to maternity services are threatening health and care | False Economy | 20.07.12

Midwives welcome Maternity Action’s Valuing Maternity Campaign | midirs | 13.07.12

Midwives welcome Maternity Action’s Valuing Maternity Campaign | Royal Collage of Midwives | 12.07.12

Unite stands up for maternity rights | Morning Star | 12.07.12

Protecting ‘mums to be’ is a top priority for Unite | Unite | 12.07.12

Maternity leave is a women’s issue? Don’t buy that line | Zoe Williams | 11.07.12

Pressure to start Valuing Maternity | TouchStone | 09.07.12

Valuing Maternity | NAPO | 07.08.12

Don’t (maternity) leave me this way! | The Justice Gap | 06.07.12

Valuing maternity campaign launched | Bliss | 04.07.12

Reforming the parental leave system | Fawcett Society

NASUWT supports maternity campaign | NASUWT

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