Ramadan has always been special to me, but even more so since becoming a mother. This month is about connecting deeply with my child, my family, and our beautiful ummah (the global community of those who share a belief in Islam) as we seek to strengthen our faith, understanding and generosity. In 2025, Ramadan held additional significance. As the CEO of Every Pregnancy, I was blessed to have the opportunity to shape a pathway for those observing this holy month to extend much needed support to mothers and babies facing innumerable barriers to essential health care through our flagship For Mama campaign – which ultimately raised a vital $21 million for maternal, newborn and child health programs.

Pregnancy is a demanding experience in the best of circumstances, but a lack of proper medical care can make what should be beautiful, dangerous. Almost all maternal deaths in childbirth occur in developing countries, and most of these occur in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia. These deaths are not a mystery; they are the clear result of scarce resources, unstable political climates and social systems that promote inequality. For women giving birth, the chances of death are 1 in 4900 in developed countries, versus 1 in 180 in developing countries. In fragile states, this risk increases to 1 in 54. The large majority of these deaths are entirely preventable with existing interventions and medicines. 

Every Pregnancy was created to close the gap between the care women and children deserve and today’s current reality by mobilizing communities, driving resources and scaling holistic, culturally sensitive maternal health interventions to ensure that every pregnancy is safe. Our partners currently provide services in 17 countries where mothers and babies are particularly at risk – including Pakistan, Palestine, Sudan, Nigeria, the United States, and more – by: building critical health infrastructure such as hospitals and mobile clinics; training and supporting frontline health workers; and ensuring new mothers and babies can receive the nutrition and essential medicines they need to thrive. 

The For Mama campaign is exponentially increasing our partners’ capacity to implement high quality maternal, newborn and child health programs in some of the most under-funded and under-served places. For example, following the inaugural campaign in 2024, Every Pregnancy partner Pious Projects used funds to finance a mobile hospital that helped save the lives of over 20,000 moms and babies in Gaza, and reached over 100,000 more through referrals and other services. 

Throughout the month of Ramadan, Muslims are called to give to charitable causes benefiting our neighbors and the broader global community; yet prior to For Mama,  there had never been a unified effort within the community to increase support for mothers and babies in the critical period before, during and immediately after childbirth. Thanks to the tireless advocacy of more than 50 partners and champions who joined alongside us this Ramadan, over 37,000 of you helped raise $18 million for this work. This impact was amplified by generous match funds from the Gates Foundation and DAMAC Foundation, bringing the total raised to benefit moms and babies this year to $21 million.

The duality of Ramadan is beautiful and humbling. We fast to bring attention to that which is truly most important and also give what we can to those in need. But, for so many mothers, it’s not just a month of spiritual reflection and acts of faith, it is a month of survival. They eat rarely not because they are fasting, but because proper nutrition for them and their children is scarce. They teach and guide their families in the traditions of Ramadan while also facing uncertainty that they will receive the care they need to keep themselves and their children alive. Recognizing this reminds us of the importance of ensuring that every pregnancy is safe – during Ramadan and each and every day. I am proud that Every Pregnancy and our partners can support mothers and families that need us most through the For Mama campaign and I am looking forward to continuing to grow our impact in the years to come. Please follow along at www.everypregnancy.org and at @everypregnancy on social media as we expand our programming and highlight the stories and lived realities of women and children around the world. Thank you to everyone who has supported this work and understands the continued importance of protecting those that give us life.