Washington D.C., March 4, 2025 – A new global partnership called Every Pregnancy is uniting Muslim philanthropies, advocates, and communities to take action in support of mothers’ and babies’ health worldwide. The partnership, which evolved from a standalone campaign in 2024, is back with the 2025 ‘For Mama Challenge’ and aims to end preventable deaths of mothers and babies. Over the course of Ramadan from February 28-March 30, 2025, the partners of Every Pregnancy aim to raise millions of dollars to ensure life-saving medicines, equipment, and high quality health care can reach moms and babies who need them most. 

Call to Action to Save At-Risk Mothers and Babies 

Mothers and babies continue to face daunting threats to their health and wellbeing in vulnerable communities around the world. Despite recent innovations in technology and health care provision, progress in decreasing maternal and newborn mortality rates has stalled since 2015. In 2020 alone, 287,000 women died during pregnancy and childbirth globally, with 95% of these deaths occurring in low- and lower-middle-income countries. For babies, the stakes are just as high. When a mother dies during childbirth, her newborn’s chances of survival drop to just 37% in their first year. In the most fragile states—such as Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, and Afghanistan—maternal mortality rates are more than twice the global average.

“Every year, hundreds of thousands of mothers and babies die simply because they can’t access the care they need. This isn’t just a failure of health systems—it’s a failure of justice,” said Isra Chaker, CEO of Every Pregnancy. “Through our partnership, we are activating new champions, mobilizing new resources, and building a world where every pregnancy is safe.”

The Power of Muslim Charitable Giving

Every Pregnancy’s flagship campaign, the ‘For Mama Challenge,’ drives a global movement for mothers and newborns. While mothers are central to Islamic faith and cultural identity, prior to ‘For Mama,’ their health and well-being had never been mobilized as a collective cause by the Muslim community. 

“As a Muslim physician, mother, and long-standing advocate for women’s and children’s health, I have seen firsthand how the world has yet to fully harness the power of Muslim lived experience and charitable giving to combat preventable maternal and newborn deaths,” said Dr. Alaa Murabit, Executive Director of Sustainable Growth at 500 Global and former Director of Global Health Policy, Advocacy, and Communications at the Gates Foundation. “Every Pregnancy is a testament to what is possible when Muslim funders and philanthropies unite behind a critical cause, demonstrating the transformative impact of collective action.”

The inaugural ‘For Mama Challenge’ in 2024 raised over US$13 million and enabled partners to strengthen ongoing health programs, reaching tens of thousands of women and babies with maternity and delivery services in over 15 countries impacted by discrimination, conflict, and climate change – including Yemen, Bangladesh, Palestine, and more. To sustain this impact, the campaign evolved into Every Pregnancy, a bold, global partnership of over 30 organizations.

“Mothers and newborns should never be left without medical care – yet in crisis zones, they are often among the most vulnerable. Through our partnership with Every Pregnancy, MedGlobal is working to ensure a future where no woman has to give birth without medical support, and where all newborns receive the care that they need,” said Dr. Zaher Sahloul, President and Co-founder, MedGlobal. “Every Pregnancy’s critical work and commitment is empowering us to equip hospitals, build maternity wards, train frontline doctors, provide mental health support, and save lives where it matters most. This is a moral duty, and together, we are making a difference.”

Multiplying Impact Through Partnership

Every Pregnancy aims to raise even more funds and channel even more resources to moms and babies worldwide through the 2025 ‘For Mama Challenge.’ To inspire donations and multiply the campaign's impact, for every US$3 raised during the ‘For Mama Challenge,’ the Gates Foundation will be donating an additional US$1 — up to US$2,000,000.

“At the Gates Foundation, we are committed to ensuring all women, no matter where they live, have healthy pregnancies, healthy deliveries, and healthy babies,” said Rasa Izadnegahdar, Director, Maternal, Newborn, Child Nutrition & Health, Gates Foundation. “In these times of uncertainty, we are especially grateful for partners like Every Pregnancy that are mobilizing communities and bringing safe, dignified care, and lifesaving tools to mothers and babies around the world.”

In the years to come, Every Pregnancy will continue to forge new partnerships strengthening maternal and newborn health care in the most impacted communities and ensure maternal health and newborn health are prioritized in faith-based giving. 

To donate to the ‘For Mama Challenge’ and learn more about Every Pregnancy, visit everypregnancy.org. 

For press inquiries, please contact Rebecca Crawford Muñoz at [email protected].