Mama Afrika Award launches at MNCH conference!

This week, the African Union Commission is holding the inaugural International Conference on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health in Africa I will be attending the conference, along with several members of the MamaYe teams from across Africa. At the conference, CARMMA, with the support of MamaYe, is launching a new prize for excellence in maternal, newborn and child health: the Mama Afrika Award.The Mama Afrika Award honours remarkable efforts by individuals or organisations in Africa that ensure Africa’s mothers, newborns and children survive and thrive into the future.The Mama Afrika Award is named after Miriam Makeba, the famous singer, who was made a citizen of 10 African countries in recognition of her opposition to apartheid; and whose daughter died from complications related to pregnancy. MamaYe has worked with CARMMA, an African Union campaign to reduce maternal, newborn and child mortality, to develop this award. The award will hail real-life heroes and heroines, including organisations, from around the African continent.All around Africa, people from all walks of life, including health-workers, decision-makers, community leaders and campaigners, are working for the health of women, babies and children in their communities. Their efforts have saved lives and helped ensure healthy and happy future generations for Africa. MamaYe has collaborated with the African Union Commission to acknowledge these people and organisations through a prestigious, continent-wide prize for excellence in the field of maternal, newborn and child health.It will reward those who, for example:

•      make a major breakthrough in care for mothers and newborns   
•      demonstrate long-term service dedicated to maternal, newborn and child survival
•      ensure women and newborns survive and thrive in particularly adverse conditions
•      raise standards, quality and resources for MNCH in a significant way at governmental level

Individuals, organisations, communities, companies and governments are all eligible for the award. The award will focus on 6 categories

• Innovation in Finance
• Access to Services
• Community Mobilisation and Participation
• Vulnerable Groups and Disadvantaged Population
• Conflict and Unstable Situations
• Capacity Building

The Awards committee of the African Union Commission will examine evidence of the commitment, dedication and achievements of the nominees in maternal, newborn and child health  -  before making the Award. Nominations will open shortly, and will close on 1 February 2014, with the award being given at a ceremony in August/September 2014. The prize will consist of a Medal and a document confirming the award.