Ensuring Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at MaMa
The idea behind the MaMa awards has always been to highlight as well as celebrate the important work done by people and the ‘unsung heroes’ who make a positive difference to the lives of others every day, irrespective of their background. We do this by promoting their work so that it may inspire others to follow in their footsteps thereby improving birthing conditions for all women and families without reference to their socio-economic status. As such the MaMa awards have always been accessible to BAME and LGBT people as well as other members of the wider community that are typically and consistently underrepresented.
MBRRACE-UK reports highlight the inequalities in maternal mortality rates. Its finding that “black women are five times and Asian women two times more likely to die as a result of complications in pregnancy than white women” is shocking and is wholly unacceptable in a country as diverse and developed as ours and we fully agree with the authors that this area warrants “urgent research and action to understand these disparities”.
We also take note of the comments that we have received following the above report and concerns that there could be a lack of diversity in the MaMa awards. We assure you that we take these comments very seriously and that we will review our conduct with references to the comments and strive to improve ourselves and the services we provide to the community in a transparent and inclusive manner.
We respect the diversity of all human beings and our board include members form diverse backgrounds. We also value and respect individual autonomy and strive towards achieving this though the work we do at MaMa. It is for that reason that we do not inquire about the ethnicity, sexual, religious and belief background as a routine practice during the board member selection process, because it may be seen as being intrusive and even discourage public participation. However, historically the judging board members have voluntarily disclosed information on their background, and we are fortunate to have had a composition of members representing diverse gender, racial and ethnic backgrounds as well as LGBT sections of the community. However, we feel that we could make even greater strides in this respect in the future, continuing to check our privileges in our interactions with others.
The team at MaMa will reflect on any feedback received and strive to make changes in our organisation that will encourage even more diversity and inclusion. This is a wonderful learning opportunity for us, and we genuinely appreciate the constructive advice, positive support and information sharing from the community we have received.
MaMa Conferences have included presentations on cultural competency and safety as well as presentations on the use of inclusive language. However, while we strive to be inclusive we also strive to be accurate in the correct language and terms used. As we are an event that is primarily focused on female specific healthcare, we do not promote the avoidance of sex specific language to describe female anatomy during pregnancy, childbirth or in breastfeeding in preference of less accurate or specific words that may be preferred by some people. We do absolutely support any individuals right to refer to their own anatomy in any way they choose and support the right to personal identity regardless of sex.
We hope to use every session as an opportunity to constructively grow towards creating an an even more inclusive and open organisation that everyone can continue to benefit from. We have also welcomed and will implement constructive suggestions on how to make the MaMa Awards more representative and will continue to strive to improve on this in the future.
We on behalf of MaMa, thank you for your comments, advice and support so far which we hope will continue to flow and help our endeavours to create a better healthcare system that is equitable and suitable for everyone bringing a life in to the world.
MaMa Board
MBRRACE-UK reports highlight the inequalities in maternal mortality rates. Its finding that “black women are five times and Asian women two times more likely to die as a result of complications in pregnancy than white women” is shocking and is wholly unacceptable in a country as diverse and developed as ours and we fully agree with the authors that this area warrants “urgent research and action to understand these disparities”.
We also take note of the comments that we have received following the above report and concerns that there could be a lack of diversity in the MaMa awards. We assure you that we take these comments very seriously and that we will review our conduct with references to the comments and strive to improve ourselves and the services we provide to the community in a transparent and inclusive manner.
We respect the diversity of all human beings and our board include members form diverse backgrounds. We also value and respect individual autonomy and strive towards achieving this though the work we do at MaMa. It is for that reason that we do not inquire about the ethnicity, sexual, religious and belief background as a routine practice during the board member selection process, because it may be seen as being intrusive and even discourage public participation. However, historically the judging board members have voluntarily disclosed information on their background, and we are fortunate to have had a composition of members representing diverse gender, racial and ethnic backgrounds as well as LGBT sections of the community. However, we feel that we could make even greater strides in this respect in the future, continuing to check our privileges in our interactions with others.
The team at MaMa will reflect on any feedback received and strive to make changes in our organisation that will encourage even more diversity and inclusion. This is a wonderful learning opportunity for us, and we genuinely appreciate the constructive advice, positive support and information sharing from the community we have received.
MaMa Conferences have included presentations on cultural competency and safety as well as presentations on the use of inclusive language. However, while we strive to be inclusive we also strive to be accurate in the correct language and terms used. As we are an event that is primarily focused on female specific healthcare, we do not promote the avoidance of sex specific language to describe female anatomy during pregnancy, childbirth or in breastfeeding in preference of less accurate or specific words that may be preferred by some people. We do absolutely support any individuals right to refer to their own anatomy in any way they choose and support the right to personal identity regardless of sex.
We hope to use every session as an opportunity to constructively grow towards creating an an even more inclusive and open organisation that everyone can continue to benefit from. We have also welcomed and will implement constructive suggestions on how to make the MaMa Awards more representative and will continue to strive to improve on this in the future.
We on behalf of MaMa, thank you for your comments, advice and support so far which we hope will continue to flow and help our endeavours to create a better healthcare system that is equitable and suitable for everyone bringing a life in to the world.
MaMa Board