ID :
73972
Thu, 08/06/2009 - 12:04
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/73972
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PM's wife becomes UNICEF patron
(AAP) - The prime minister's wife Therese Rein has become a patron of a campaign by the United Nations children's fund which aims to tackle maternal deaths in developing countries.
UNICEF says women in the world's poorest countries are 300 times more likely to die
during pregnancy or childbirth than women in Australia.
Ms Rein, who has three children with Kevin Rudd, said she would use her position as
patron to work to reduce the number of deaths, both in Australia and
internationally.
She's raising the issue with the wives of Pacific island leaders at the 40th annual
Pacific Islands Forum in Cairns this week.
"As a woman and as a mother, I find my heart breaking at this tragic and avoidable
situation," Ms Rein said in a statement.
"But there is hope. We know that 80 per cent of maternal deaths can be avoided by
providing women with low cost health services."
UNICEF says women in the world's poorest countries are 300 times more likely to die
during pregnancy or childbirth than women in Australia.
Ms Rein, who has three children with Kevin Rudd, said she would use her position as
patron to work to reduce the number of deaths, both in Australia and
internationally.
She's raising the issue with the wives of Pacific island leaders at the 40th annual
Pacific Islands Forum in Cairns this week.
"As a woman and as a mother, I find my heart breaking at this tragic and avoidable
situation," Ms Rein said in a statement.
"But there is hope. We know that 80 per cent of maternal deaths can be avoided by
providing women with low cost health services."
