Mother's Day 2011 Activist Guide

Stand up for Moms this mother’s day. CONTENTS

Introduction 3-4 Executive Summary

Amnesty International Main Messages & Talking Points Maternal Mortality Around the World 5 Maternal Mortality in the United States The Millennium Development Goals Legislative Background Information Key Legislative Talking Points 10 ISSUE BRIEF—Maternal Health Accountability Act of 2011 List of Current Cosponsors

Ways to Take Action to Promote the Right to Maternal Health 14 THE MOTHER’S DAY EVENT TOOLBOX

16 Activism Resources 17 Organizing a Card-Writing Event This Mother’s Day 19 Lobbyng Your Member of Congress 23 Hosting a House Party 26 Panel Discussion and Teach-Ins 28 Raising Awareness Through Tabling 29 Generating Visibility in Your Community / Working With the Media

Supplemental Materials 31 Sample documents and Amnesty International Resources

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA DEMAND DIGNITY: Mother’s Day 2011 DEMAND DIGNITY CAMPAIGN 2 5 Penn Plaza, 16th Fl · New York, NY 10001 Activist Guide AMNESTYUSA.ORG/DEMANDDIGNITY [email protected] April 2011

Fellow Activist,

Thank you for committing to lead an event to support the right of every woman to a safe pregnancy and childbirth during Mother’s Day 2011! In the month surrounding Mother’s Day this year (April 23rd to May 22nd), activists around the country will be hosting and joining events to help make preventable maternal mortality a thing of the past.

Inside this activist guide you will find background information on maternal mortality in the US and around the world and tips and materials to help you organize your own events in support of the right to maternal health, including how to prepare for your event, promote it, increase it scope, run it, and follow up after it’s done. While the guide contains basic suggestions on hosting events around this Mother’s Day, please feel free to be creative in planning your event—and to share that creativity with us!

Please take some time to go through the guide and familiarize yourself with the issue of maternal mortality in the United States and around the world, and with how your advocacy can help protect mothers worldwide. Also, please make sure to periodically check amnestyusa.org/mothersday for new and updated actions and information, and to learn about new event opportunities in your area.

We hope that you find these materials valuable in planning your Mother’s Day event. Please let us know how it goes, and send us pictures and copies of any media coverage your event receives. We want to be able to share these successes to inspire other activists! You can upload pictures and com- ments about your event to flickr.com/groups/amnestymothersday

If you have any questions that are not addressed in the guide, please contact the Demand Dignity team by emailing [email protected].

Thank you for taking the time to support the right of every woman to a safe pregnancy and childbirth. We look forward to hearing from you!

In solidarity,

The Demand Dignity Campaign Team

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA DEMAND DIGNITY: Mother’s Day 2011 DEMAND DIGNITY CAMPAIGN 5 Penn Plaza, 16th Fl · New York, NY 10001 Activist Guide AMNESTYUSA.ORG/DEMANDDIGNITY [email protected] EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

4 | EXECUTIVE SUMMARY EXECUTIVE | 4 Every 90 seconds, a woman dies from complications of pregnancy and childbirth—that’s 1000 women every day, 350,000 each year. The vast majority of these deaths are preventable and they represent violations of essential hu- man rights, including the right to health and the right to freedom from discrimination. Women dying in childbirth is not just a public health emergency—it is a human rights crisis.

From April 23 to May 22, during the four weeks around Mother’s Day (May 8), members and groups around the country will be raising their voices and hosting events in support of the right of every woman to a safe pregnancy and childbirth. Among other activities, members and groups will be:

(1) Writing Mother’s Day Cards

This Mother’s Day, write Mother’s Day cards—in a twist on the traditional Amnesty letter—to push domestic and international decision makers to support and protect the right to maternal health.

(2) Participating in the spring in-district lobby week on maternal health

In March, Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) introduced the Maternal Health Accountability Act of 2011 to protect women’s health in the United States. From April 29th through May 8th, you can lead or join a delegation to lobby your congressional representatives to support this vital piece of legislation.

(3) Hosting documentary film screenings and watch parties

Use the power of film to raise awareness about maternal mortality in your community.  Host a watch party for the broadcast premier of Christy Turlington Burns’ new documen- tary on maternal health—No Woman, No Cry—on the Oprah Winfrey Network, May 7th at 9:30 pm ET/PT  Screen the BBC documentary—Dead Mums Don’t Cry—about the efforts of obstetrician Grace Kodindo to combat maternal mortality in Chad anytime between April 23 and May 22.

Register your event, and search for other events to join, at amnestyusa.org/mothersday

Share your event successes with us!

Fill out the brief survey form at the end of this guide, and upload photos of your event to flickr.com/groups/ amnestymothersday

If you have questions or need additional materials, contact: Jason Opeña Disterhoft Heather Lasher Demand Dignity Campaigner Demand Dignity Campaigner (San Francisco office) (New York office) [email protected] [email protected] 415.288.1868 212.633.4162

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA DEMAND DIGNITY: Mother’s Day 2011 DEMAND DIGNITY CAMPAIGN 5 Penn Plaza, 16th Fl · New York, NY 10001 Activist Guide AMNESTYUSA.ORG/DEMANDDIGNITY [email protected] MAIN MESSAGES & TALKING POINTS: MATERNAL MORTALITY AROUND THE WORLD

5 | INT’L MATERNAL HEALTH MATERNAL | 5 INT’L

“Women are not dying of diseases we can’t treat. … They are dying because societies have yet to make the decision that their lives are worth saving.” - Mahmoud Fathalla, past president of the International Federation of Obstetricians Gynecologsts

Amnesty International researchers have prepared reports on maternal health in six countries: Burkina Faso, Nicaragua, Peru, Sierra Leone, Indonesia, and the USA. Although these six countries highlight the issues, the right to safe pregnancy and childbirth is being compromised throughout the world. Human rights advocates in each country are taking action to guarantee the right to maternal health care, with support from Amnesty Inter- national members around the world.

With the Demand Dignity Campaign, Amnesty International is making the message heard loud and clear: every woman’s life is worth saving.

 Around the world, one woman dies from pregnancy-related complications every ninety seconds. The vast majority of these deaths are unnecessary and preventable, caused by a lack of access to health care or health education.  This is a not just a public health emergency — it is a human rights crisis.  These preventable deaths represent violations of essential human rights, including the right to the high- est attainable standard of health, and the right to freedom from discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, language, or income.

Maternal Mortality is a Human Rights Crisis

 Maternal mortality ratios are typically representative of the overall strength and equity of a health care system.  Ninety-nine per cent of maternal deaths occur in developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Af- rica and South Asia, making it the greatest health disparity between developed and developing coun- tries.  In 2000, the United Nations set nine goals to guide the fight against poverty: the Millennium Develop- ment Goals (MDGs). While there has been some progress toward reducing global maternal mortality, UN data shows that only 10 countries with high maternal mortality ratios are on target to meet MDG 5 – the goal of reducing the maternal mortality ratio by 75% by 2015.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA DEMAND DIGNITY: Mother’s Day 2011 DEMAND DIGNITY CAMPAIGN 5 Penn Plaza, 16th Fl · New York, NY 10001 5 Activist Guide AMNESTYUSA.ORG/DEMANDDIGNITY [email protected]

MAIN MESSAGES & TALKING POINTS: MATERNAL MORTALITY AROUND THE WORLD

6 | INT’L MATERNAL HEALTH MATERNAL | INT’L 6

Giving Life, Risking Death: Maternal Mortality Fatal Flaws: Barriers to Maternal Health in Burkina Faso in Peru

Every year in Burkina Faso thousands of women In Peru, hundreds of women die every year in preg- die from complications of pregnancy and child- nancy and childbirth, despite efforts in recent birth. Amnesty International’s report, Giving Life, years by the Peruvian government to reduce mater- Risking Death, found that many of these deaths nal mortality. As Amnesty International docu- could be prevented if women were given timely mented in its report, Fatal Flaws: Barriers to Ma- access to adequate health care. ternal Health in Peru, poor, rural, and indigenous women are at by far the greatest risk. They face a Ambitious strategies on the part of the Burkinabé range of barriers to accessing life-saving care: lack government have lowered maternal death rates in of information about pregnancy and childbirth, un- some parts of the country. But cost remains a ma- affordable cost, language and other cultural barri- jor barrier to care, especially for rural women. A ers, long distances and lack of transportation, and 2006 policy to subsidize 80% of the cost of child- lack of available health care. birth and make it completely free for the poorest women is not well publicized, leaving it open for Since AI launched Fatal Flaws in 2009, AI Peru medical staff to make illegal demands for pay- has led the global movement in pushing for equita- ments. ble maternal health care in Peru, and this year’s national election offers an unmissable opportunity In a February 2010 meeting with Amnesty Interna- to make change. AI Peru is working with allied or- tional, President Blaise Compaoré committed to ganization to influence the agenda of the incoming lifting all financial barriers to emergency obstetric government, including prioritizing access to mater- care as part of a strategy to fight maternal mortal- nal health care for poor, rural, and indigenous ity in the country. But so far, nothing has resulted women. This summer, AIUSA will be supporting from his promise. This summer, Amnesty Interna- these efforts. tional will be working with activists to push Presi- dent Compaoré to uphold his promise.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA DEMAND DIGNITY: Mother’s Day 2011 DEMAND DIGNITY CAMPAIGN 5 Penn Plaza, 16th Fl · New York, NY 10001 6 Activist Guide AMNESTYUSA.ORG/DEMANDDIGNITY [email protected] MAIN MESSAGES & TALKING POINTS: MATERNAL HEALTH IN THE UNITED STATES

7 | US MATERNAL HEALTH US MATERNAL | 7

The Safe Motherhood Quilt Project, a national initiative developed by midwife and author Ina May Gaskin to honor women who have died of pregnancy- related causes since 1982

A recent Amnesty International report, Deadly Delivery: The Maternal Health Care Crisis in the USA, found un- acceptably high rates of pregnancy-related deaths, appalling racial disparities, and rising complications in the United States.

 The United States spends more than any other country on maternal health care and more on maternal care—$98 billion—than any other type of hospital care, yet ranks 50th in the world in maternal mortality.  The risk is higher for women in the US than in nearly all European countries.  Every day, 2 to 3 women in the United States die from complications of pregnancy and childbirth.  African-American women are 3 to 4 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women—this disparity has not improve in 6 decades.  Deaths are just the tip of the iceberg:  Severe complications that nearly result in death – known as “near misses” – have increased an alarming 25% between 1998 and 2005.  More than 34,000 women nearly die each year; that’s one every 15 minutes.  Approximately half of deaths and 40% of near misses could be prevented.

Women living in poverty, women of color, Native American and Alaska Native, and immigrant women face sys- temic inequalities and discrimination that result in dangerous barriers to care.

 Women in high-poverty areas face twice the risk of dying from pregnancy-related complications as women in low-poverty areas.  Native American women are 3.5 times more likely to receive late or no prenatal care than white women.  For women seeking care under Medicaid, burdensome bureaucratic procedures substantially delay access to prenatal care.  The government has an obligation to address and eliminate these disparities, including through vigorous enforcement of non-discrimination laws.

To reverse this crisis, the government must ensure that all women have access to timely, quality maternal health care services before, during, and after pregnancy.

 American’s health care crisis is exacerbating the problem. 1 of every 5 women of reproductive age is unin- sured. Many women begin pregnancy with untreated medical problems, increasing pregnancy risks.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA DEMAND DIGNITY: Mother’s Day 2011 DEMAND DIGNITY CAMPAIGN 5 Penn Plaza, 16th Fl · New York, NY 10001 7 Activist Guide AMNESTYUSA.ORG/DEMANDDIGNITY [email protected] MAIN MESSAGES & TALKING POINTS : MATERNAL HEALTH IN THE UNITED STATES

8 | US MATERNAL HEALTH US MATERNAL | 8

 Half of all pregnancies are unplanned.  Many women are without affordable contraceptive services.  This increases the risk of delayed prenatal care, and increased risk of complications: 1 in 4 women do not receive adequate prenatal care, and women with no prenatal care are 3 to 4 times more likely to die than women who receive prenatal care.  The United states has no nationally-implemented protocols to prevent, recognize, and treat the leading causes of childbirth-related deaths.  Most pregnancy-related deaths occur days or weeks after birth, but unlike in many other countries, few women receive home visits that could prevent or recognize complications before they become serious.

 A lack of accountability is leading to an overall failure to address fundamental systemic problems.  Expanded data collection and review of maternal deaths and complications is needed.  By not counting, reviewing, and learning what happened to cause these deaths, opportunities are missed to prevent future deaths.

Amnesty International calls on the US government to develop a coordinated and consistent approach to mater- nal care that corrects the disparities, improves conditions for women’s health overall, and makes sure all women have access to good-quality, safe maternal care.

 There is no robust or systematic government response to this critical problem. Amnesty International is urg- ing the government to direct and fund the Department of Health and Human Services to prioritize and co- ordinate efforts to improve maternal care and maternal health, including taking steps to:  expand data collection and review of deaths, complications, and performance measures;  ensure all women have prompt access to prenatal care and home visits after birth;  develop and put in place evidence-based protocols to prevent, recognize, and respond to leading complications that cause maternal deaths; and  prioritize eliminating disparities, including by vigorously enforcing federal anti-discrimination laws.  State health departments should improve maternal health data collection and review by establishing a ma- ternal mortality and morbidity review board, by including a maternal death checkbox on their standard death certificates, and by mandating separate reporting of maternal deaths and severe complications.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act took vital steps forward in expanding access to health care, but more work remains to be done to improve the quality of materal care, ensure accountability, and eliminate dis- parities.

 Congress should pass legislation to improve domestic maternal health outcomes, such as the Maternal Health Accountability Act of 2011 (HR 894), which would  Help establish maternal mortality review boards in every state, by setting up a new grant program;  Fight disparities with new research and pilot programs;  Improve data collection and maternal health research on severe maternal complications

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA DEMAND DIGNITY: Mother’s Day 2011 DEMAND DIGNITY CAMPAIGN 5 Penn Plaza, 16th Fl · New York, NY 10001 8 Activist Guide AMNESTYUSA.ORG/DEMANDDIGNITY [email protected] THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS

9 | MDGS | 9

“We will not enjoy development without security, we will not enjoy security without development, and we will not enjoy either without respect for human rights.” - Kofi A. Annan

What are the Millennium Development Goals?

In September 2000, 198 world leaders met at the United Nations Millennium Summit and committed to the most prominent global anti-poverty initiation ever undertaken. This plan was represented by eight goals—the Millennium Development Goals:

Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty Goal 5: Improve Maternal Health Goal 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education Goal 6: Combat HIV / AIDS, Malaria, and other dis- Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower eases Women Goal 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability Goal 4: Reduce Child Mortality Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development

Associated with each of these goals were specific targets, such as halving the proportion of people whose in- come is less than $1 per day (MDG 1), reducing the maternal mortality ratio by 75% (MDG 5), and signifi- cantly improving the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers (MDG 7). In many cases, however, even these modest targets associated with these goals will not be met by 2015—their deadline—without a much greater commitment from the global community.

MDG5—Improve Maternal Health

The targets for MDG5 are to:

 Reduce by 75% the maternal mortality ration between 1990 and 2015  Achieve universal access to reproductive health by 2015

Unfortunately, MDG5 has seen the least progress of all the goals, and maternal mortality ratios remains the greatest disparity of any global health issue. Though maternal mortality rates have fallen over the last decade, progress. While a 5.5% reduction per year, the rate has been only 2.3%. Further, where progress has been made, this progress has often times been uneven, with many populations—like the poorest of the poor, racial minorities, and rural women—being left behind. For instance, though Peru saw a 61% drop in rates of mater- nal deaths between 1990 and 2008, poor and Indigenous women remain at much greater risk.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA DEMAND DIGNITY: Mother’s Day 2011 DEMAND DIGNITY CAMPAIGN 5 Penn Plaza, 16th Fl · New York, NY 10001 9 Activist Guide AMNESTYUSA.ORG/DEMANDDIGNITY [email protected] THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Putting Human Rights at the Heart of the Millennium Development Goals

While the goals helped to put the fight against poverty on the world’s agenda, they do not fully reflect the MDGS | 10 promise of the Millennium Declaration, in which world leaders pledged to strive for the protection and promo- tion of all human rights. States human rights obligations are not adequately reflected in the MDGs, despite the importance of human rights—including economic, social, and cultural rights—for improving the lives of people living in poverty.

As documented in Amnesty International’s report, From Promises to Delivery: Putting Human Rights at the Heart of the Millennium Development Goals, truly incorporating human rights would help ensure that marginal- ized populations aren’t left behind in development. Putting human rights at the heart of the MDGS would mean that countries:

 Ensure that all populations benefit from development, including minorities and the poorest of the poor  Ensure that those living in poverty are active participants and partners in development  Ensure that development policies and processes are accountable to the full spectrum of human rights standards—civil, cultural, economic, political, and social.

Last September, the U.N. Millennium Development Goals Summit in New York reviewed progress on the MDGS and charted a way forward to 2015. Amnesty International lobbied inside the meeting, and rallied outside of it, to push for human rights. While the summit failed to make concrete commitments to incorporate human rights into the MDGs, the summit’s plan of action did acknowledge that, “the respect for and promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of effective work towards achieving” the MDGs.

Human rights advocates now have two urgent tasks:

 Push governments to incorporate human rights into current MDGs policy, between now and 2015  Lay the groundwork for ensuring that the development framework that succeeds the MDGs—MDGs 2.0—has human rights at its heart, including key principles of freedom from discrimination, active participation, and accountability

Though the next summit on the MDGs won’t be held until 2013, countries are setting their MDGs policy now. As human rights advocates in the most powerful country in the world, AIUSA activists have a key role to play in ensuring that the United States supports putting human rights at the heart of the MDGs.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA DEMAND DIGNITY: Mother’s Day 2011 DEMAND DIGNITY CAMPAIGN 5 Penn Plaza, 16th Fl · New York, NY 10001 10 Activist Guide AMNESTYUSA.ORG/DEMANDDIGNITY [email protected] LEGISLATIVE TALKING POINTS:

11 | LEGISLATIVE INFO LEGISLATIVE | 11 Main Message  Although the United States spends more than any other country on health care and more on maternal care – $98 billion – than any other type of hospital care, women in the US have a greater risk of dying from preg- nancy-related complications than women in 49 other countries.  Approximately half the deaths and 40% of near misses could have been prevented with better access to good quality maternal health care. Background

 Amnesty International’s report, Deadly Delivery: The Maternal Health Care Crisis in the USA, found that a

crisis in maternal health care in the United States is leading to unnecessary deaths and serious complica- tions. Opportunities to save women’s lives are being missed because of the numerous obstacles and failures in the health care system that stand in the way of women getting the care they need.  In the US, two to three women die every day from complications of pregnancy and childbirth.  African American women are nearly four times more likely to die than white women  Women in high-poverty areas are twice as likely to die than women in low-poverty areas  There has been no improvement in the rate of maternal deaths for over 20 years, or in racial disparities for 60 years.  Deaths are just the tip of the iceberg: each year, more than 34,000 women suffer a “near miss”- a compli- cation a complication so severe that they nearly die. These complications have risen over 25% since 1998.  Accountability for maternal health outcomes is lacking at the federal and state level, and most states have no process to review and analyze maternal deaths in order to prevent future deaths.  Women dying in pregnancy and childbirth is not just a public health emergency; it is also a human rights crisis. These preventable deaths represent violations of essential human rights, including the right to the highest attainable standard of health, and the right to freedom from discrimination.  status, Indigenous status, or income level.  The United States has an important role to play in reducing maternal deaths.

Legislative Response

 Congressman John Conyers introduced the Maternal Health Accountability Act of 2011 (H.R. 894) to:  Provide funding for states to establish multidisciplinary Maternal Mortality Review Committees to expand the examination of pregnancy-related and pregnancy-associated deaths, in order to reduce preventable maternal mortality.  Develop definitions of severe maternal morbidity (complications) to improve data collection and ma- ternal health research; and  Develop a program to reduce and eliminate disparities in maternal health outcomes.

Amnesty International’s Recommendation  Please urge your Member of Congress to contact Representative John Conyers to become a co-sponsor of the Maternal Health Accountability Act of 2011 and to vote for the bill when it comes to the floor.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA DEMAND DIGNITY: Mother’s Day 2011 DEMAND DIGNITY CAMPAIGN 5 Penn Plaza, 16th Fl · New York, NY 10001 11 Activist Guide AMNESTYUSA.ORG/DEMANDDIGNITY [email protected]

I S S U E B R I E F

Maternal Health Accountability Act of 2011, H.R. 894

lthough the United States spends more on health care than any other country, UN data places the US 50th when it comes to a woman’s risk of dying from complications of pregnancy and childbirth. Two to three women die of pregnancy-related complications every day in the United States – and about half of these deaths could A be prevented, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Deaths are just the tip of the iceberg: severe com- plications that nearly cause deaths – known as "near misses" – are rising at an alarming rate. More than 34,000 women nearly die in childbirth each year, and thirty percent of all women who give birth in the United States – over 1 million women each year – experience some type of complication that has an adverse effect on their health. While the United States does poorly overall, women of color, immigrant women, indigenous women, and low-income women face particu- lar risks. For example, African American women in the US are three to four times more likely to die of pregnancy-related complications than white women, and this disparity has not improved in six decades.

On March 12, 2010, Amnesty International USA released a report, Deadly Delivery: The Maternal Health Care Crisis in the USA, that reveals a maternal health care system in desperate need of repair. Amnesty found that hundreds of maternal deaths in the United States could have been prevented by high-quality, accessible, affordable and timely medi- cal care.

On March 3, 2011, Congressman John Conyers introduced the Maternal Health Accountability Act of 2011, H.R. 894. This bipartisan legislation would provide grant funding for states to establish maternal mortality review committees to examine pregnancy-related deaths and to identify ways to reduce maternal deaths. The legislation would also help elimi- nate disparities in health care, risks, and outcomes.

The Maternal Health Accountability Act of 2011, as a condition of receiving grants, would require states to:  Require health professionals and facilities to report all pregnancy-related deaths;  Investigate and develop case findings and summaries for maternal deaths;  Establish review committees with OB-GYNs, midwives, nurses, social workers, health care facility represen- tatives, members of affected communities, and other relevant stakeholders to recommend prevention strate- gies, and;  Disseminate findings and recommendations.

The Act would also develop methods to identify and monitor severe maternal complications, improve data collection and research, and develop a program to eliminate disparities in maternal health outcomes.

The lack of reliable data on maternal deaths is contributing to the US’s inability to robustly respond to this human rights crisis. Preventable maternal mortality violates a variety of human rights, including the right to the highest attainable stan- dard of health; the right to life; and the right to freedom from discrimination. The Maternal Health Accountability Act of 2011 is a step towards reducing the needless loss of women’s lives that tragically affects so many families in the United States and is a step towards preventing the "near misses" and severe complications that have risen steadily for decades.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA RECOMMENDATIONS:

 U.S Representatives should contact Representative John Conyers to become a co-sponsor of the bipartisan Maternal Health Accountability Act (H.R. 894).  U.S Senators should introduce a Senate companion to the Maternal Health Accountability Act (H.R. 894).

Amnesty International is a grassroots organization with 2.8 million members worldwide working to promote and defend human rights.

For information, contact Cristina Finch at 202-544-0200 or [email protected], or visit www.amnestyusa.org/ demanddignity CURRENT COSPONSORS OF THE MATERNAL HEALTH ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2011

ALABAMA Rep. Donna Edwards [D, MD-4] INFO LEGISLATIVE | 13 Rep. Andy Harris [R, MD-1] Rep. Terri Sewell [D, AL-7] MICHIGAN ARIZONA Rep. Dale Kildee [D, MI-5] Rep. Raul Grijalva [D, AZ-7] NEW JERSEY CALIFORNIA Rep. Steven Rothman [D, NJ-9] Rep. Karen Bass [D, CA-33] Rep. Lois Capps [D, CA-23] NEW YORK

Rep. Sam Farr [D, CA-17] Rep. Bob Filner [D, CA-51] Rep. Louise Slaughter [D, NY-28] Rep. Barbara Lee [D, CA-9] Rep. Laura Richardson [D, CA-37] NORTH CAROLINA Rep. Fortney Stark [D, CA-13] Rep. Bradley Miller [D, NC-13] Rep. Maxine Waters [D, CA-35]

Rep. Lynn Woolsey [D, CA-6] OHIO COLORADO Rep. Timothy Ryan [D, OH-17] Rep. Diana DeGette [D, CO-1] Rep. Dennis Kucinich [D, OH-10]

CONNECTICUT TENNESSEE

Rep. Joe Courtney [D, CT-2] Rep. Steve Cohen [D, TN-9] Rep. Christopher Murphy [D, CT-5] TEXAS GEORGIA Rep. Eddie Johnson [D, TX-30] Rep. Sanford Bishop [D, GA-2] Rep. Henry Johnson [D, GA-4] VIRGINIA

HAWAII Rep. Robert Scott [D, VA-3]

Rep. Colleen Hanabusa [D, H1-1] WASHINGTON, D.C. ILLINOIS Del. Eleanor Norton [D, DC-0] Rep. Jesse Jackson [D, IL-2] Rep. Janice Schakowsky [D, IL-9] WISCONSIN

MAINE Rep. Tammy Baldwin [D, WI-2] Rep. Gwen Moore [D, WI-4] Rep. Chellie Pingree [D, ME-1] * List current as of 13 April 2011. Be sure to check http:// MARYLAND opencongress.org/bill/112-h984/show for an updated list of co- sponsors. Rep. Elijah Cummings [D, MD-7]

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA DEMAND DIGNITY: Mother’s Day 2011 DEMAND DIGNITY CAMPAIGN 5 Penn Plaza, 16th Fl · New York, NY 10001 13 Activist Guide AMNESTYUSA.ORG/DEMANDDIGNITY [email protected] WAYS TO TAKE ACTION TO PROMOTE THE RIGHT TO MATERNAL HEALTH

14 | WAYS TO TAKE ACTION TAKE TO WAYS | 14

WRITE MOTHER’S DAY CARDS 17

This Mother’s Day season, we’re putting a new face on a tried and true Amnesty International tactic—writing letters. Use our case sheets and sample letters to write messages inside Mother’s Day cards to push domestic and international decision-makers to protect the right to maternal health in the United States and around the world. The cards will be sent to six different domestic and international decision-makers: your congressional representatives, urging them to support the Maternal Health Accountability Act of 2011; President Compaoré, calling on him to uphold is promise of lifting financial barriers to maternal care in Burkina Faso; the president

elect of Peru, asking him to prioritize maternal health; and Secretary Clinton, calling on her to ensure that hu- man rights are at the heart of the Millennium Development Goals. Order free copies of the cards and case sheets at amnestyusa.org/mothersday.

LOBBY YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS 19

Nothing impacts elected officials like person to person contact. During this year’s spring lobby week (Saturday, April 29th through Sunday, May 8th), lead or join a delegation to lobby your Senators and Repre- sentatives. Visit your congressional representatives’ district offices and urge them to protect maternal health by supporting the Maternal Health Accountability Act of 2011. Register at amnestyusa.org/lobby.

HOST A FILM SCREENING OF DEAD MUMS DON’T CRY 23

This 49-minute BBC documentary follows Grace Kodindo, an obstetrician in Chad, as she struggles to keep women from dying in pregnancy and childbirth. Contact the Demand Dignity Campaign at demanddig- [email protected] to request a loan copy of the film and a film guide to host a showing of the film as a stand- alone piece, or as an introduction to a larger event.

HOST A HOUSE PARTY TO WATCH NO WOMAN, NO CRY 23

On Saturday, May 7th (9:30pm ET/PT) the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) will air the broadcast premier of No Woman, No Cry, Christy Turlington Burns’ documentary about maternal mortality in Tanzania, Bangladesh, and the United States. Contact the Demand Dignity Campaign at [email protected] to request a film guide to host a house party to watch the film and write Mother’s Day cards.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA DEMAND DIGNITY: Mother’s Day 2011 DEMAND DIGNITY CAMPAIGN 5 Penn Plaza, 16th Fl · New York, NY 10001 14 Activist Guide AMNESTYUSA.ORG/DEMANDDIGNITY [email protected] WAYS TO TAKE ACTION TO PROMOTE THE RIGHT TO MATERNAL HEALTH

15 | WAYS TO TAKE ACTION TAKE TO WAYS | 15

WRITE AN OP ED, LETTER TO THE EDITOR, OR BLOG POST ABOUT MATERNAL HEALTH 29

The media can be a powerful tool in helping to raise awareness about the human rights crisis of maternal mor- tality. Write op eds, letters to the editor, or blog posts to help inform your community about maternal health and about how they can get involved. How-To Guides and sample materials are included in this kit.

RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT MATERNAL MORTALITY BY TABLING AT LOCAL EVENTS 28

Tabling is an effective way to raise awareness about the Demand Dignity Campaign, and particularly maternal mortality, in your community. A How-To guide is included in this kit.

ORGANIZE A PANEL DISCUSSION OR TEACH-IN 26

Use the resources contained in this action guide to organize and event to help educate your community about maternal mortality in the U.S. and around the world, and to encourage them to take action. Inside, you’ll find the tools you need to make your event a success, including background information and actions to take.

PREGNANT FOR A DAY

Host a “Pregnant for a Day” event on your campus or in your community to raise awareness about maternal mortality. Write or paint maternal health facts on t-shirts for participants to wear over balloon “bellies.” Con- tact us at [email protected] for more information.

IF YOU’D LIKE TO DO SOMETHING MORE, OR SOMETHING DIFFERENT….

We would be happy to support you with materials. Contact us at [email protected] or 212.633.4162.

NOTE: Please send all completed Mother’s Day cards, petitions, and postcards to:

Amnesty International USA Demand Dignity Campaign 5 Penn Plaza, 16th Floor New York, NY 10001

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA DEMAND DIGNITY: Mother’s Day 2011 DEMAND DIGNITY CAMPAIGN 5 Penn Plaza, 16th Fl · New York, NY 10001 15 Activist Guide AMNESTYUSA.ORG/DEMANDDIGNITY [email protected] 16 | EVENT TOOLBOX | EVENT 16

THE MOTHER’S DAY EVENT TOOLBOX

Gather all the materials you will need for your Mother’s Day event, including:

 Mother’s Day cards and case sheets. Register and pledge to write cards at amnestyusa.org/mothersday to receive hard copies of the cards and case sheets.

 Additional Demand Dignity Campaign cards, one-pagers, maternal health stick- ers, maternal health postcards, and Mother’s Day pins. Order by emailing de- [email protected].

 Request a loan copy of Dead Mums Don’t Cry to screen the film.

 Additional “Maternal Health is a Human Right” t-shirts to sell or give to partici- pants. Order by emailing [email protected].

 A “Maternal Health is a Human Right” poster. Download a file to take to your local printer at amnestyusa.org/mothersday.

 An AIUSA banner or poster, available at amnestyusa.org/store.

 AIUSA brochures, stickers, and promotional materials to encourage your friends to join Amnesty. Order by emailing [email protected].

 Amnesty materials to sell or give to participants, such as calendars, t-shirts, posters, pins, or stickers, available at amnestyusa.org/store.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA DEMAND DIGNITY: Mother’s Day 2011 DEMAND DIGNITY CAMPAIGN 5 Penn Plaza, 16th Fl · New York, NY 10001 16 Activist Guide AMNESTYUSA.ORG/DEMANDDIGNITY [email protected] ORGANIZING A CARD-WRITING EVENT THIS MOTHER’S DAY

Use this checklist when organizing your Mother’s Day card-writing events WRITING CARD | 17

dent building, coffee shop, or other open venue, be sure to obtain permission before- hand if necessary.

 Program How do you want your event to flow? Make an agenda. Events can sometimes work best when there is an immediate call to action: “We need you to write cards to support mothers worldwide.” It is also important to have a very clear goal you hope to achieve. For example, “by the end of the evening, we would like to have written 100 cards.” You may also want AI members write letters during the 2010 Global Write-a-Thon. to consider:

BEFORE YOUR EVENT  Inviting a speaker

 Providing food  Ask friends to help you organize your event  Showing a clip of Dead Mums Don’t Cry Determine who will take responsibilities for spe-

cific tasks. Remember to follow-up.  Materials and Cost

Visit amnestyusa.org/mothersday to register Decide what type of event you would like to host  your event and request materials, such as: This guide contains how-to information for hosting

card-writing events, film screenings, panel discus-  Mother’s Day cards sions, teach-ins, but feel free to be creative in your  Postcards planning. You can incorporate writing Mother’s  Stickers Day cards into many different activities, like Happy  Buttons Hours, Campus or Book Club Activities, Poker or  Background materials Game Night, a Dessert Party, Coffee Shop, Church/  A loan copy of Dead Mums Don’t Cry Youth Group, Potluck Dinner, etc.  And more!

 Establish a time and date  Contact the media Try to hold your event on days between April 23 Notify your local media about your upcoming and May 22 to join with the events of other Am- Mother’s Day event. The coverage you receive nesty activists all around the country. will help draw more participants to your event.

 Secure a location  Write a letter to the editor Decide where your Mother’s Day event will be  Ask your local newspaper to post your event held and ensure that you will have enough ta- in their calendar section bles, chairs, and other equipment you may  Distribute a media advisory need, such as microphones and speakers. If  Contact your local radio station you are planning to hold your event in a stu-

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA DEMAND DIGNITY: Mother’s Day 2011 DEMAND DIGNITY CAMPAIGN 5 Penn Plaza, 16th Fl · New York, NY 10001 17 Activist Guide AMNESTYUSA.ORG/DEMANDDIGNITY [email protected] ORGANIZING A CARD-WRITING EVENT THIS MOTHER’S DAY

 Publicize AFTER YOUR EVENT WRITING | CARD 18 There are many other ways to spread the word about your Mother’s Day event.  Don’t forget to mail all of your cards back to the Demand Dignity Campaign!  Use the Mother’s Day event flyer tem- plate located in this action guide, or  Send a thank you to those who attended your download one at amnestyusa.org/ event. Invite them to join your group, and to mothersday. Add details about your join AIUSA. event and post the flyer around your community.  Report back  Ask friends to bring at least one other Let us know how many cards were sent by fill- friend to your Mother’s Day event. ing out the very brief evaluation form in this  Post your event on Facebook, Myspace, guide and sending it to demanddig- Twitter, and Meetup.com. Make sure to [email protected]. Please also send us photos of provide a link to AIUSA’s Mother’s Day your event, or of your card writers, and copies web page: amnestyusa.org/mothersday. of your sign in sheets.  Contact your Regional office to have them add your Mother’s Day event to their event page on AIUSA’s website.  Call and send email reminders to friends, co-workers, classmates, etc.

THE DAY OF YOUR EVENT

 Bring a sign in sheet Use a sign-in sheet! This will allow you to follow up with participants later about other AI events. A sample is provided in this guide.

 Use the Maternal Health is a Human Right poster and/or an AI banner for visibility Download a file to print your own “Maternal Health is a Human Right” poster at am- nestyusa.org/mothersday, and contact your re- gional office for a copy of an AI banner.

 Make sure to bring:  Enough copies of the Mother’s Day cards and case sheets for everyone.  Your Mother’s Day Event toolbox  Food and drink to enjoy while writing let- ters.  Your camera to take pictures of your event!

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA DEMAND DIGNITY: Mother’s Day 2011 DEMAND DIGNITY CAMPAIGN 5 Penn Plaza, 16th Fl · New York, NY 10001 18 Activist Guide AMNESTYUSA.ORG/DEMANDDIGNITY [email protected] HOW TO LOBBY YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

Through coordinated legislative advocacy, AIUSA activists gain the power to influence important human rights LOBBY TO | HOW 19 legislation. All groups are asked to participate in at least one of AIUSA’s coordinated lobbying efforts each year. Contact your legislative coordinator (LC) by calling 1.866.219.4466 to ask about current lobbying efforts in your state, background on your legislators, and tips to maximize your efforts.

What is Lobbying?

 Lobbying is getting your government to work for you. It is not limited to the hallowed halls of Congress or restricted to professional lobbyists – it is a tool we can all use to communicate with our decision-makers and shape the communities in which we live.

 Lobbying takes many forms, such as writing a letter, showing up for a public event, making a phone call, sending a fax/email/form letter, or anything else you can do to provide your elected official with information about your issue and a request for him/her to act on it.

How do I Lobby?

Do Your Homework

 Find out what positions your elected member has taken in the past on maternal health legislation.  Familiarize yourself with the specific legislation you want to address using the information contained in this action guide, including the talking points and the information you can provide to your legislator. Once you’ve done your homework, you are ready to make contact with your legislator.

Contact Your Elected Official

 Be ACCURATE: The key to influencing the people who represent you is proving to them that you are a well- informed, committed, and persistent constituent. You need to be a credible source of information – if you don’t know something, tell your Congress member you will find out and get back to him/her.  Ensure that as a representative of Amnesty you represent AIUSA’s views accurately. Use the legisla- tive talking points and legislative issue briefs (contained in this action guide) to fax or bring to a meeting with your legislator’s office. The talking points are for your use in preparing for your meet- ing; leave the issue briefs with your legislator’s office.

 Be BRIEF: The official and his/her staff are incredibly busy, and so are you. They appreciate it when you respect their time, so get to your request in the first few minutes. Be ready with the bill number and the specific action you want your legislator to take (for example, cosponsor / support the Maternal Health Accountability Act of 2011, HR 894). Provide a copy of any relevant materials you will be talking about, such as the Issue Briefs contained in this action guide or a list of current cosponsors.

 Be COURTEOUS: Always, always, always be courteous! A thank you letter to the staff member for listening to your concerns, especially if they take action, is ALWAYS recommended. Commend your elected official publicly, including letters to the editor or items in a newsletter (and share copies with his/her staff).

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA DEMAND DIGNITY: Mother’s Day 2011 DEMAND DIGNITY CAMPAIGN 5 Penn Plaza, 16th Fl · New York, NY 10001 19 Activist Guide AMNESTYUSA.ORG/DEMANDDIGNITY [email protected] HOW TO LOBBY YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

Ways to Lobby LOBBY TO | HOW 20

Write A Letter

 Handwrite your letter if possible. Be sure to include your name and address on the letter and envelope so they know you are a constituent.  Be brief and personal. Share your knowledge and experiences with maternal health. Feel free to mention any organizations you are working with on this issue.  Be specific. Cite a specific bill number (HR 894). Be sure to include the specific action you want your elected official to take (e.g. cosponsor/support the Maternal Health Accountability Act of 2011). Ask them to respond with information about the action taken.  Thank your official for any positive steps s/he has taken in the recent past.  Follow-up. Continue to maintain contact with the office to ensure that your elected official fulfills his/her commitments. Continue to provide information, and thank him or her for any positive actions taken.

Make a Phone Call

 Call your US Senator / Representative by contacting the Capitol Hill switchboard at 202.224.3121. Ask to speak with the legislative assistant dealing with women’s issues and/or human rights concerns.  Identify yourself as a constituent. You might also mention your AI group, if appropriate.  Be specific. State that you are calling about the Maternal Health Accountability Act of 2011 (HR 894) and that you would like your legislator to cosponsor/support the legislation. Ask if your legislator has taken a position on the bill. Volunteer to provide further information about the bill or about maternal health in gen- eral. Ask for the name of the person you spoke to and let him or her know that you will be calling back to follow up.  Follow up with a thank you note and any information you promised to provide.

Schedule an In-Person Meeting

 Personal meetings are the most effective method of lobbying. Your group can organize a meeting with your member of Congress on the issue of maternal health, or join an AIUSA lobbying delegation in Washington DC or at your representative’s district office in your state.  If you are interested in meeting with your legislator in person, please contact your legislative coordinator for more tips on effective in-person lobbying. What are the Next Steps?  Concentrate on building a relationship. Lobbying can take awhile, and the more focused you are, the better the results. Remember that the bill you are working on may not pass during this session or that you may undertake another legislative initiative next year. Establishing this relationship is key to your work in future sessions.  Thank your legislator publicly. Write a letter to the editor or a short article for your group’s newsletter. Be sure to share the information with your legislator.  Continue to track the bill and provide periodic updates to your legislator as necessary.  Share the news of your interaction with AIUSA by filling out a Debrief Form (contained in this action guide) and sharing it with your volunteer Legislative Coordinator and the Washington DC office of AI.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA DEMAND DIGNITY: Mother’s Day 2011 DEMAND DIGNITY CAMPAIGN 5 Penn Plaza, 16th Fl · New York, NY 10001 20 Activist Guide AMNESTYUSA.ORG/DEMANDDIGNITY [email protected] HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW

I. Legislation is Introduced INFO LEGISLATIVE | 21

Any Member of Congress can introduce a bill. Once a bill is introduced, it is labeled with the sponsor’s name and is given a bill number (e.g. H.R. 1 or S. 1).

Prior to a bill’s introduction, other Members of Congress can contact the bill’s sponsor and ask to become an original co-sponsor of the legislation. During the period prior to a bill’s introduction, you can contact your representatives to encourage them to contact the bill’s sponsor and ask to become an original co- sponsor. Once a bill is introduced, you can contact your representatives to encourage them to contact the bill’s sponsor to show their support for the legislation by becoming a co-sponsor of the bill.

II. Committee Action

Once a bill is introduced, it is referred to the appropriate committee by the Speaker of the House or the pre- siding officer in the Senate. Bills can be referred to more than one committee, or different parts of a bill can be sent to different committees; bills can also be referred to subcommittees within committees. Com- mittees and subcommittees debate the bill, can offer to amend the bill, and may hold hearings on the legis- lation. In order for a bill to leave committee, it must be voted out of committee. Failure to act on a bill in committee is equivalent to killing the bill.

If your Member of Congress is a member of a committee or subcommittee charged with reviewing a piece of legislation Amnesty International supports, you can contact them to ask them to support the legislation in committee, and to support its passage out of committee to the floor of the chamber. Even if your elected official is not a member of the committee, he or she can support for the legislation by cosponsoring the bill.

III. Floor Action

Once a bill is passed out of committee, the legislation is placed on the calendar of the respective chamber, where the Speaker of the House or the Senate Majority leader determine which bills will reach their chamber floor. Once a bill is brought to the floor of the chamber, debate can begin. In the House, the length of de- bate is determined by rules developed by the Rules Committee. In the Senate, debate is unlimited unless cloture is invoked (a cloture vote requires the support of 60 Senators). Unless cloture is invoked, Senators can use a filibuster to prevent a bill from coming to the floor for a full vote.

Once debate is closed, the bill is voted on. If the bill is passed, it will be sent to the other chamber unless the other chamber is already considering a similar piece of legislation. If either chamber does not pass the bill, the legislation dies. If both chambers pass the same piece of legislation, the bill is sent to the Presi- dent. And if the House and the Senate pass different bills, they are sent to a Conference Committee for rec- onciliation.

During the period prior to debate and a final floor vote on the bill, contact your Members of Congress asking them to support the legislation by voting for its passage. If the bill is in the Senate, you can also ask your Senators to show their support for the legislation by becoming a co-sponsor of the bill at any point until a final vote on the bill has taken place.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA DEMAND DIGNITY: Mother’s Day 2011 DEMAND DIGNITY CAMPAIGN 5 Penn Plaza, 16th Fl · New York, NY 10001 21 Activist Guide AMNESTYUSA.ORG/DEMANDDIGNITY [email protected] HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW

IV. Conference Committee INFO LEGISLATIVE | 22

Members from each chamber form a conference committee and meet to reconcile the differences be- tween the bills passed by each chamber. If the Conference Committee reaches a compromise, the committee prepares a written report, which is submitted to each chamber. This report must then be approved by both the House and the Senate.

V. The President

Before a bill can become law, it must be sent to the President for review. If the President signs the bill, or does not sign it within 10 days of receiving it if Congress is in session, the bill becomes law. If Congress adjourns before the 10 days, and the President fails to sign the bill, it does not become law. If the President vetoes the law, it is sent back to Congress with a note listing his or her reasons. The chamber that originated the bill can attempt to override the veto by a two-thirds vote. If the veto of the bill is overridden in both chambers, the bill becomes law.

VI. The Bill Becomes Law Once a bill is signed by the President or his/her veto is overridden by both chambers, it becomes law and is assigned an official number.

Glossary of Terms

Cloture: a procedure used in the Senate to end a filibuster. Under Senate rules, invoking cloture requires an affirmative vote by 3/5 of the entire Senate and will limit remaining debate to 30 hours. Cloture is not a vote on the passage of the bill.

Co-Sponsor: A member or members who add his or her name(s) formally in support of another member’s bill. In the House, a member can become a co-sponsor of a bill at any point up until the last authorized committee considers it. In the Senate, a member can become a co-sponsor of a bill at any point before the final vote takes place on the bill.

Filibuster: An informal term used in the Senate to describe an attempt to block or delay action on a bill or other matter by lengthy debate, numerous procedural motions or other obstructive actions. It can be stopped only by a three-fifths cloture vote of the senators present and voting.

Original co-sponsor: a member who is listed as a co-sponsor at the time of a bill’s introduction.

Sponsor: the original member who introduces a bill.

Veto: a presidential power to refuse a bill or joint resolution, preventing its enactment into law. A veto can be overturned only by a two-thirds vote in both the Senate and the House.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA DEMAND DIGNITY: Mother’s Day 2011 DEMAND DIGNITY CAMPAIGN 5 Penn Plaza, 16th Fl · New York, NY 10001 22 Activist Guide AMNESTYUSA.ORG/DEMANDDIGNITY [email protected] HOW TO HOST A FILM SCREENING OR HOUSE PARTY

23 | HOW TO SCREEN A FILM A SCREEN TO HOW | 23 A film screening is an opportunity to raise awareness sure you can access the Oprah Winfrey Network and mobilize action in support of our human rights to view the broadcast premier of No Woman, No work. Film screenings are an invaluable way of com- Cry. municating your message in a non-threatening, cas- ual and friendly atmosphere and a fun and energizing Step 2: Invitations way to educate people about human rights! Amnesty Get your invitations out early! Today there are more International relies on its members to expose and ways of getting the word out than ever—don’t depend stop human rights abuses worldwide. By hosting a on one exclusively. And remember, people threw suc- screening, not only are you helping to raise much cessful screening before email existed! needed support for our work, but you are joining a  Set Goals. If your goal is to bring 100 people to global movement for human rights worldwide! All you your screening, then brainstorm a list of 300 need is a cool environment, some snacks, and a mas- people to invite. The rule of thumb is that 1 in 3 ter plan. people will actually attend.

Step 1: Planning Your Party  Send an email to all invitees. Make sure you mention why you are hosting the screening, for Get as creative as possible when planning your example, “we want to urge our representatives to screening. Some people have them in recreational support legislation to protect maternal health.” centers, dorms, local workshop centers—or even their Don’t forget to include pertinent information, in- homes! It can be small and intimate, or large and full cluding the event location, and your phone num- of new people. Whatever works for you will work for ber, and email address. your screening! Here are some things to keep in mind when thinking about what you want to accom-  Snail mail. Same rules apply. A personal invita- plish with your screening: tion is still a very impressive way to get the world out. They remain popular because they work.  Set a goal for attendance.  Phone calls. Call all the people you invite, get  Inform: One purpose of the screening is to inform them to come, and remind them to be on time. your guests about the work of Amnesty Interna- You should start calling 10 days before the tional, and more specifically, the work to end pre- screening even if invitations are still in them ventable maternal mortality. Make sure that you mail. Reminder calls (a call back to all ‘yeses’) are fully versed on the issue of maternal health make a big difference in turnout. Make sure to do and with the goals of the Demand Dignity Cam- them in the three evenings immediately preced- paign so that your attendees are informed and ing your screening.

prepared to act.  Keep good records. Who’s been called already, and who hasn’t been reached? Who’s a yes, a no,  Act: After watching the film and discussing its a maybe? content, your guests will want to get involved. It is vital to engage this energy in order to promote Step 3: Promoting Your Event human rights by offering concrete actions for guests at the party. Screenings are a great way to bring new supporters to Amnesty International. You can invite friends,  Still need a copy of the film? Contact the De- neighbors, and co-workers who might not necessarily mand Dignity Campaign at demanddig- be involved in human rights issues but may have an [email protected] to make sure you get it in time, as interest in maternal health. Of course, invite your well as to request a copy of our film guides. And own Amnesty International colleagues, guests from contact your cable television provider to make other active AI groups in your area, and allied groups

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA DEMAND DIGNITY: Mother’s Day 2011 DEMAND DIGNITY CAMPAIGN 5 Penn Plaza, 16th Fl · New York, NY 10001 23 Activist Guide AMNESTYUSA.ORG/DEMANDDIGNITY [email protected] HOW TO HOST A FILM SCREENING

24 | HOW TO SCREEN A FILM A SCREEN TO HOW | 24 The Three Keys to Hosting a Great Screening

1. Personal contact with your potential guests. Follow-up calls to invitations and reminder calls en- sure great attendance. 2. Organizers’ rule of thumb: if you really want folks to turn out, invitees should be contacted 3 times! Invitation. Follow-up phone call. Reminder phone call. 3. Show your enthusiasm! The best way to motivate your guests to attend your screening is to demon- strate your own enthusiasm. Let your guests know every time you talk to them why you care about and organizations that may be working on the same  Watch the film (approximate time: depends issues but from a different angle. Spread the word far on the film). and wide! Don’t forget to use social media outlets!  Discussion (approximate time: 15 minutes). Step 4: The Agenda Prepare provocative questions ahead of time to get the discussion going, or use the ques- The basis of your screening is to inform, act, and gen- tions contained in the Dead Mums Don’t Cry erate membership. But let’s not forget the details! A and No Woman, No Cry film guides. good agenda will hold your party together. The best way to have a screening that flows seamlessly is to  Request for Action (approximate time: 30 min- think through the agenda from start to finish ahead of utes). After discussing the pressing need to end time. Your screening can range from a small intimate preventable maternal mortality, explain the power gathering of friends at your house to a larger group of of collective action—millions of people speaking friends and friends of friends—it depends upon how in one voice do get heard—and urge people to ambitious you are. Be clear from the beginning the write Mother’s Day cards. theme of your screening and set goals for yourself. This will help you keep on track. Prepare for the post-  Wrap Up Session (approximate time: 5 minutes). viewing discussion beforehand by preparing the dis- Thank everyone for coming, and make sure to get cussion questions. contact info for those who want to pursue more work on the issue.  Arrival of Guests (approximate time 20—30 min- utes). Guests arrive, mingle, look over literature, and partake in refreshments. Have everyone sign Step 5: Make a Checklist in. Be sure to get the names, email addresses,  Sign-in Sheet. This is important. Sign in everyone and phone numbers for everyone who attends. who attends your party by posting someone at the door, or have members circulate the room. Don't  Introduction (approximate time: 10 - 15 min- forget to call back any newcomers whose names utes). Once everyone has arrived, introduce your- appear on the sheet. self, talk about the work of AI, and then introduce the issues. Spend some time explaining the big  Pens and paper. Be sure you have enough, in- picture—how maternal health is a human right, cluding paper for note taking. how maternal health is linked to poverty, and how human rights can help combat poverty. Ask your  Mother’s Day Cards. Again, be sure you have guests what they know about the issue and how enough. Request cards and case sheets by regis- and why they got involved. This is the perfect se- tering at amnestyusa.org/mothersday. gue to start the film.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA DEMAND DIGNITY: Mother’s Day 2011 DEMAND DIGNITY CAMPAIGN 5 Penn Plaza, 16th Fl · New York, NY 10001 24 Activist Guide AMNESTYUSA.ORG/DEMANDDIGNITY [email protected] HOW TO HOST A FILM SCREENING

25 | HOW TO SCREEN A FILM A SCREEN TO HOW | 25  Name tags. Do you want them to help you identify And don’t forget to pitch AI! Part of your presentation guests? It’s up to you. should include information on the various ways your guests can become more involved with Amnesty In-  Amnesty International literature, including ternational; by joining your group, starting their own Demand Dignity and maternal health literature. group, or by joining the Demand Dignity Campaign. Have enough on hand, including membership brochures, handouts on the Demand Dignity cam- Highlight the events section on AIUSA’s website as a paign and maternal health, maybe even a goody resource to find out about more interesting events, bag with buttons and stickers. Make sure all your such as Regional Conferences or state meetings, or to actions and handouts are displayed prominently. contact the Regional Office. Finally, urge them to become individual card-carrying, dues paying mem-

Contact the Demand Dignity campaign at de- [email protected] or 212.633.4162 for ma- bers. They can join at amnestyusa.org/join.

terials. You should assign someone from your group to han- dle general hosting duties, such as keeping the  Equipment. Nothing is more embarrassing than goodie bowls full and the drinks flowing, cleaning up having a house full of people and not being able mishaps, or taking those photos so that you can stay to get your DVD player to work. Make sure it’s focused on running the meeting. But don’t worry— ready BEFORE guests arrive! your guests won't care if you don’t get things perfect. It’s a film screening, so have fun.  Munchies. Can’t have a party without them. It doesn’t have to be a lot—this isn’t a State Dinner Step 7: After the Screening you’re hosting. But remember the rule of halves Make sure a few folks from your own group stick applies: if you invite 50, expect 25 to show up. around to help with the cleanup. But there is more to do:  Document the event. Assign someone to take pic- tures, and send them to the Demand Dignity  Get back to us! Please send us your feedback, campaign at [email protected]. suggestions, your completed Mother’s Day cards, and the following statistics so that we can im-  And don’t forget—If you’re holding the screening prove our future actions and better support your somewhere other than your home, in an audito- activism: (1) date you held your screening; (2) rium, for example, make sure to scout out the site number of attendees; (3) number of actions in advance. taken; (4) number of people who joined your group; and (5) the number of new AIUSA mem- Step 6: The Big Night Arrives bers. And please send pictures! Email us at [email protected].

Once people arrive, your main responsibility shifts to  Thank yous. Don’t forget your just departed managing the evening. Make sure everything is ready guests. A quick follow-up thank you note is al- to go. It’s important to try to stick to the time limits ways appreciated. Then send them a follow-up so that guests who can’t stay as long still get to par- action within a week or two. And don't forget to ticipate. include information on how they can get more involved with Ai by joining a group or by becom- Don’t worry if this is your first screening. You just ing individual dues paying members. need to play the film, get the discussion started, re- mind people of the agenda if the discussion runs  Start planning your next event! over, and summarize any decisions taken.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA DEMAND DIGNITY: Mother’s Day 2011 DEMAND DIGNITY CAMPAIGN 5 Penn Plaza, 16th Fl · New York, NY 10001 25 Activist Guide AMNESTYUSA.ORG/DEMANDDIGNITY [email protected] HOW TO HOST A PANEL DISCUSSION OR TEACH-IN

A PANEL HOS TO HOW | 26 Preparing for a Teach-in Once you have secured a time and a place, begin to plan the program of the teach-in.

First and foremost, decide who will be facili-  tating and/or speaking at the event.  Define the key messages your group is trying to teach and figure out what is the best way to convey this information.  Plan on making the teach-in as interactive as

possible with group discussion and activities. Get resources such as copies of Amnesty Interna- tional reports on maternal mortality, video clips Deadly Delivery : The Maternal Health Care Crisis in the USA from Dead Mums Don’t Cry, fact sheets, etc Speakers Tour—NY, NY (2009) which will strengthen your presentation.  Plan on distributing informational handouts that Pick a Location are useful both as a take home guide and as a resource list for participants. Reserve a neutral location to host your event. If your group plans to have the forum on a campus, make A member of your group should open the session sure a room is reserved through the proper channels. with an informative talk introducing your group, the Community areas such as libraries or recreation cen- type of activities that you have been working on, ter meeting rooms are also a possibility but always background information on AI's work on Demand Dig- make sure you have permission to use the facility be- nity, and information about maternal health. forehand. Design one or more small group activities to allow Preparing for a Panel Discussion participants to have more in-depth discussions about maternal mortality, such as how they can get in- Once you have secured a time and a place, decide volved or plan a next activity. what aspect of maternal mortality you would like your speakers to address. Publicize Your Event  Set a time limit for each speaker and choose what kind of discussion, if any, should follow. Invite community members and other students, faculty, and teachers to your forum.  Decide who will be facilitating and/or speaking at  Flyers can be posted on community boards in the event. some grocery stores or around schools.  Ask your speakers to notify you what they plan on  Word of mouth is an especially good way to discussing so that you can decide the order of promote your event. speakers and can better publicize the event.  Create quarter page flyers and have group  Also ask if the speakers will need any technical members carry some with them at all times to support such as a laptop or projector. Secure pass out to fellow employees or classmates. these items as soon as possible. If you do not have these resources, be sure to notify the speak-  Mass emails are also an easy way to get the ers so that they can modify their presentation. word out.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA DEMAND DIGNITY: Mother’s Day 2011 DEMAND DIGNITY CAMPAIGN 5 Penn Plaza, 16th Fl · New York, NY 10001 26 Activist Guide AMNESTYUSA.ORG/DEMANDDIGNITY [email protected] HOW TO HOST A PANEL DISCUSSION / TEACH-IN

27 | HOW TO HOS A PANEL HOS TO HOW | 27 Sign People In Panel Checklist

As with all your group events, a sign-in sheet should  Secure time and place for panel be passed around to all attendees. This will make it possible for your group to follow up with these indi-  Invite and confirm people who will facilitate viduals later and also provide a possible pool of future or speak at the event members.

 Publicize Include an Action  Send out emails

Plan on ending your forum with ways that participants can become involved. Bring Mother’s Day cards and  Ask organizers/friends to commit to bringing a case sheets for participants to write. You can also di- number of people rect them to amnestyusa.org/maternalhealth as a place to get more information on maternal mortality and the  Finalize program content and format Demand Dignity Campaign.

Solicit Feedback  Arrange for multimedia facilities (laptop, pro- jector, etc.) Pass out an evaluation form so you can learn from your audience how to do an even better job next time. Also,  Call and send email reminders to members, report back to the Demand Dignity team about the friends, co-workers, classmates, etc. successes and challenges of your event by emailing the form at the end of this guide to demanddig-  Bring a sign in sheet [email protected].

 Bring Mother’s Day cards and case sheets for Follow Up With Participants writing at your event

Follow-up is an important way to make sure that par-  Bring copies of the petition in this toolkit for ticipants stay involved. Hosting an event or action guests to sign within two weeks of the forum is a great way to tap into the energy generated from the forum. Consider a  Bring evaluation forms to hand out at the end rally or a letter writing drive related to maternal mor- tality. If a follow-up event is not feasible, at least  Send thank you cards to speakers make sure to contact the attendees from the forum to thank them and extend an invitation to work with your Amnesty group in the future.  Follow up with attendees

 Host follow-up action event

 Report out about the successes and chal- lenges of your event to demanddig-

[email protected]

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA DEMAND DIGNITY: Mother’s Day 2011 DEMAND DIGNITY CAMPAIGN 5 Penn Plaza, 16th Fl · New York, NY 10001 27 Activist Guide AMNESTYUSA.ORG/DEMANDDIGNITY [email protected] HOW TO RAISE AWARENESS THROUGH TABLING

 Initiate conversations with table visitors. Ask: TABLE TO | HOW 28 “Are you familiar with the work of Amnesty Inter- national?” “Have you heard of our Demand Dig- nity Campaign?” “Are you interested in maternal health?” “Have you taken action for human rights today?” While it is important to greet each person, respect those who may not want to have a conversation, but just want to browse.

Check List

 Prepare volunteers. Have them practice their in- troduction to Amnesty International and what Tabling is a simple and effective way to make Am- they will ask people to do. nesty International more visible in your community or  Check to see if you need to reserve a table. at your school. It's also an important tool for recruit-  Have at least one banner, and consider a ing new members, gathering signatures, and building mounted poster (download one to take to your support for your group's work. local printer at amnestyusa.org/mothersday) to ensure passersby know you're there. Most high school and college campuses invite stu-  Use music or a video to draw attention to your dent groups to table in common areas with only mini- table. Consider showing a 3 minute clip from- mal restrictions. Tables are often welcome at street Dead Mums Don’t Cry, available at fairs, churches, community events, coffeehouses and www.youtube.com/watch?v5g0vz8bC8s even in some malls and shopping centers. Wherever Make sure to have a sign-up sheet for visitors' you decide to go, make sure you have permission  contact information (one is included in this from those in charge, and remember to play by the rules so you will be welcome back in the future. Keep guide) in mind that the appearance of your table and your  Create an area where people can help themselves volunteers are important. Both should be neat, wel- to general AI information, such as brochures or coming, and inviting. postcards.  Distribute copies of the flyers contained in this Striking Up a Conversation guide to advertise future events and group meet- ings.  Be friendly and invite passers-by to stop at the  Feature the Mother’s Day card writing action, table. postcards, or a petition so all visitors can take  Make sure you have the necessary information to action for maternal health. answer general questions about Amnesty Interna-  Bring plenty of pens! tional and the organization’s work.  Put out a donation jar, if permitted.  Some people may feel intimidated to walk up and  Be prepared to ask people to join your group and ask questions; make sure you acknowledge each to become members of Amnesty International. person, welcome them to your table, and try to  Follow up by inviting people who signed in to engage them in conversation. your next event and meeting.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA DEMAND DIGNITY: Mother’s Day 2011 DEMAND DIGNITY CAMPAIGN 5 Penn Plaza, 16th Fl · New York, NY 10001 28 Activist Guide AMNESTYUSA.ORG/DEMANDDIGNITY [email protected] TIPS FOR WORKING WITH THE MEDIA

 Keep it simple. Whether it’s a telephone call, a  Monitor. Become a local media watcher. Watch media advisory, a letter to the editor, or an opin- local television news, listen to local radio, and WORK MEDIA | 29 ion editorial, always try to focus on the messages read local newspapers with an Amnesty Interna- you’ve developed for your event (see the Main tional eye. Analyze which stories work and why. Messages & Talking Points part of this guide). Look out for journalists, including columnists, Repeat what you want to see in the paper rather who cover stories that may relate to our concerns. than improvising under pressure.  Contact. Keep a record of contacts you make at  Localize. Local journalists look for a local angle— local newspapers and radio and television sta-

stress to them that you represent a local Amnesty tions, and note any journalists who seem particu- International group while pointing out that you larly interested in Amnesty International’s issues. are part of a global organization with more than 3 You will want to contact them at a later date million members. You can also check am- when you are holding events. nestyusa.org/mothersday for a map of the US with links to state-based data on maternal health.

GENERATING VISIBILITY IN YOUR COMMUNITY

 Look for community event calendars in local  Film your event and post it to YouTube. You newspapers and on television stations’ websites. need a YouTube account in order to upload a Ask calendar editors to post the time and location video, but it is an easy process once you have of your Mother’s Day event on these calendars so created one. that other community members can participate.  Tweet about your upcoming Mother’s Day  Invite a local radio or television station reporter event. Real-time updates are very helpful, cover your event. (A college or local NPR station and it’s important to be active with this. Up- will probably be the best outlet). date your Twitter profile at least 4-5 times per day leading up to and during your event.  Focus on local and small-time publications. It is much easier to get letters into and coverage from  Write blog posts that include information publications in your community. about Amnesty’s Mother’s Day generally, and your group or event in particular. Contact your  Ask an interested newspaper columnist to report favorite blogs and ask them to post something on your Mother’s Day event. City desk editors may about maternal health and spread the word also assign a reporter cover the event. even further.

 Submit letters to the editor directly to online  Post photos from your event to: news sites by emailing them to the email ad- www.flickr.com/groups/amnestymothersday. dresses provided on the news outlet websites. Like YouTube, you need to create an account, which is easily, especially if you already have  Take pictures of your Mother’s Day event and post one on Yahoo! them to your Facebook pages. Encourage other  Note: Be sure to link each of the above- participants at your event to do the same. mentioned social media outlets to each other.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA DEMAND DIGNITY: Mother’s Day 2011 DEMAND DIGNITY CAMPAIGN 5 Penn Plaza, 16th Fl · New York, NY 10001 29 Activist Guide AMNESTYUSA.ORG/DEMANDDIGNITY [email protected] HOW TO WRITE A MEDIA ADVISORY

A media advisory serves as a “teaser,” alerting journalists to a future event.

30 | MATERIALS | 30 What to Include

 Make sure you start with a a headline that is both informative and catchy (but don’t be too clever, or clichéd). Often this is the only part of a media advisory that a journalist will read—they use the headline to decide whether to read on.

 Your first paragraph should always include the “5Ws” so that journalists can get a quick idea of what it’s about

without having read all the way through. The remaining paragraphs should expand on the basic information pro- vided in the first paragraph.

 Always give a punchy quote by an Amnesty International spokesperson. This helps to give the story a more per- sonal feel, and you will notice that newspaper articles always try to include something someone said.

 Remember that the aim of a media advisory is to get media coverage for your event, so don’t cram it full of de- tailed or unnecessary information.

 Always stress the local angle—make it clear to journalists why your event is something that locals will be inter- ested in.

 If there is a photo opportunity, state this at the bottom of the advisory, with dates, times, and contact numbers.

 Always try to find out the name of the editor to whom you will be sending the press release so that you are send- ing it to a person rather than a title.  Local press: send it to the News Editor (if there is an unusual speaker, the press release can also be sent to the Features Editor for a feature story or profile of the event.  Local Radio: Send it to the News Editor / Program Organizer  Local TV: Send it to the News Editor (only if you think it is a very photogenic, or very strong, story)

How to Distribute Your Media Advisory

 A media advisory must arrive at news outlets 3-5 business days before the event.

 Most local papers go to print on Monday / Tuesday, and are in stores on Thursday / Friday, so if you want a jour- nalist to come to your event, send it to them the previous week so they have time to put it in the paper’s diary. If you want the paper to include the advisory in order to advertise your event, send your advisory to arrive on their desks the previous Thursday / Friday.

 For radio and TV, send the press release to arrive two days before the event.

 ALWAYS follow up your media advisory with a phone call the day after it arrives on the editor’s desk. Call to make sure that assignment editors and targeted reported received the advisory, and offer to answer any of their questions. Always be considerate of their time. Try to be brief, and call between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM, before journalists are on deadline.

 If you would like a listing of local media outlets and their assignment editors in your community, please email a request to [email protected].

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA DEMAND DIGNITY: Mother’s Day 2011 DEMAND DIGNITY CAMPAIGN 5 Penn Plaza, 16th Fl · New York, NY 10001 30 Activist Guide AMNESTYUSA.ORG/DEMANDDIGNITY [email protected] SAMPLE MEDIA ADVISORY

MEDIA ADVISORY Contact: [Your name] For Immediate Release: [Your contact number and email] MATERIALS | 31 [Date submitted to the media] Amnesty International [Your Group Name] Hosts Panel Discussion On Maternal Mortality

Clear heading so journalists know what the press release is about

(City where the event will take place) – On [Date of Event] at [Time of Event] members of Amnesty Interna- tional [Your Group Name] will host a panel discussion at [Location of Event] on the topic of maternal deaths to raise awareness about the tragic price of poverty worldwide – one woman dying in childbirth every 90 seconds of every day. The panel will feature [Names and titles of speakers].

The Five W’s – Who, What, Where, When, and Why are in the first paragraph

The latest United Nations estimates show 358,000 women died in childbirth during 2008 -- about 1,000 women each day.

Some women die in their homes, unattended by anyone with medical skills. Some die while to trying to get to hospitals, on foot, in cars, on motorbikes. Some die in hospital beds, having reached the hospital too late to get the treatment they needed. Still others arrive at the hospital to find it lacking the trained personnel or sup- plies they need. The tragedy occurs worldwide, including in the United States, where two to three women die in childbirth every day. About half of these deaths could be prevented in the United States if maternal health care were available, accessible and of good quality for all women, according to Amnesty International's report, "Deadly Delivery."

The latest U.N. statistics place the United States 50th, behind 49 other countries in terms of the rate of mater- nal deaths, showing the United States slipping even lower than previous estimates. Countries like Bulgaria, South Korea and Kuwait are ranked ahead of the United States, according to the new U.N. estimates.

Within the United States, [Your State] currently ranks [Xth] in terms of maternal mortality with a ratio of [X], and [Your State] does not currently have a maternal mortality review board to monitor the issue of maternal death.

The rest of the press release gives more detailed information, and includes a local angle (check the state-based fact sheets included in this toolkit to find statistics and information about your state)

At an event last September n Times Square to draw attention to the tragedy of preventable maternal deaths, Larry Cox, executive director of Amnesty International USA, said: "The clock is ticking for women around the world. No woman should die while giving birth, when most deaths are preventable. Governments need to do much more to make certain that the most disadvantaged and poorest women have equal and timely access to life saving care.” A quote from an Amnesty International staff or activist member is included, as journalists often like to have a more per- sonal comment to include.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA DEMAND DIGNITY: Mother’s Day 2011 DEMAND DIGNITY CAMPAIGN 5 Penn Plaza, 16th Fl · New York, NY 10001 31 Activist Guide AMNESTYUSA.ORG/DEMANDDIGNITY [email protected] SAMPLE MEDIA ADVISORY

Barriers to care reflect disparities among different racial and ethnic groups and affect maternal health in devel- oped, as well as developing countries. In the United States, according to Amnesty International's March 2010 MATERIALS | 32 report, Deadly Delivery, more than two women die every day from complications of pregnancy and childbirth. Approximately half of these deaths could be prevented if maternal health care were available, accessible and of good quality for all women without discrimination in the United States.

To request a copy of this report please email [email protected].

Date, time, and place of the discussion: [Insert date and time of event]

Place: [Insert address of event]

Date, place, and time of the event is repeated at the bottom

For more information, contact [Your Contact Information], and please visit: www.amnestyusa.org

Contact information is repeated at the bottom of the media advisory

Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 3 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied.

Short version of Amnesty International’s mandate is included

# # #

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA DEMAND DIGNITY: Mother’s Day 2011 DEMAND DIGNITY CAMPAIGN 5 Penn Plaza, 16th Fl · New York, NY 10001 32 Activist Guide AMNESTYUSA.ORG/DEMANDDIGNITY [email protected] SAMPLE LETTER TO THE EDITOR

MATERIALS | 33

To the Editor:

Every 90 seconds, somewhere in the world, a woman – most likely living in poverty – dies giving birth. That’s almost 1,000 women every day; more than 350,000 women each year. The vast majority of these deaths are preventable. Though 99% of maternal deaths occur in the developing world, developed nations are not unaf- fected: the U.S. currently ranks behind forty-nine other nations in terms of maternal mortality, with two to three women dying every day and tens of thousands more suffering complications that nearly result in death.

Maternal deaths are not just a public health emergency – they are a human rights crisis. They represent viola- tions of essential human rights, including the right to the highest attainable standard of health, and the right to freedom from discrimination based on such factors as gender, race, ethnicity, immigration status, Indige- nous status, and income level.

Now, the United States Congress is poised to make a difference to end preventable maternal mortality within the United States. Representative John Conyers (D-MI) has introduced legislation that will help combat mater- nal deaths by establishing a maternal mortality review board in every state by setting up new grant programs; fight disparities in maternal health outcomes with new research and pilot programs; and develop definitions of several maternal complications to improve data collection and maternal health research.

Members of Congress now have the opportunity to help put an end to preventable maternal deaths by support- ing this important bill. I hope that Representative [Insert name of your representative] will cosponsor the Ma- ternal Health Accountability Act of 2011 today and support it when it comes to the floor of the House OR (if your member of Congress is already a co-sponsor) I applaud Representative [insert name of your representa- tive] for demonstrating his/her commitment to maternal health by co-sponsoring and supporting the Maternal Health Accountability Act of 2011.

[Name] [Address]

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA DEMAND DIGNITY: Mother’s Day 2011 DEMAND DIGNITY CAMPAIGN 5 Penn Plaza, 16th Fl · New York, NY 10001 33 Activist Guide AMNESTYUSA.ORG/DEMANDDIGNITY [email protected] SAMPLE OPINION EDITORIAL

Help Stop Preventable Maternal Deaths MATERAILS | 34 By [Your Name, Group No., Amnesty International USA]

Every 90 seconds, somewhere in the world, a woman – most likely living in poverty – dies giving birth. That’s almost 40 women every hour and more than 350,000 women each year; the vast majority of these deaths are preventable. Though 99% of maternal deaths occur in the developing world, developed nations are not unaf- fected: the U.S. currently ranks behind forty-nine other nations in terms of maternal mortality, with two to three women dying every day and tens of thousands more suffering complications that nearly result in death.

These deaths represent violations of essential human rights, including the right to the highest attainable stan- dard of health, and the right to freedom from discrimination, based on such factors as gender, race, ethnicity, immigration status, Indigenous status, or income level. Women dying in childbirth is not just a public health emergency – it is also a human rights crisis.

Amnesty International has identified the obstacles to accessing maternal health care faced by pregnant women around the world, including in the United States, where women face a greater risk of dying in childbirth than do women in forty-nine other countries, and the maternal mortality rate among African-American women is al- most four times higher than that of white women.

The United States Congress now has an opportunity to address these tragic statistics. In March, Representative John Conyers (D-MI) introduced the Maternal Health Accountability Act of 2011. This vital piece of legislation can make a real difference in the lives of pregnant women.

Congress should act quickly to pass the Maternal Health Accountability Act of 2011 into law.

A lack of adequate attention to maternal health continues to take the lives of hundreds of thousands of women and girls each year, and denies countless others their dignity. As Mamoud Fathalla, past president of the Inter- national Federation of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has said:

“Women are not dying of diseases we can’t treat… They are dying because societies have yet to make the deci- sion that their lives are worth saving.”

Lawmakers need to know that women’s lives ARE worth saving. I urge Representative [Insert name of your Rep- resentative] to take action today and become a cosponsor of the Maternal Health Accountability Act of 2011 and support it when it comes to the floor of the House OR (if your member is already a cosponsor) I applaud Representative [insert name of your Representative] for demonstrating his/her commitment to maternal health by cosponsoring and supporting the Maternal Health Accountability Act of 2011.

[Add a once sentence description of the author]

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA DEMAND DIGNITY: Mother’s Day 2011 DEMAND DIGNITY CAMPAIGN 5 Penn Plaza, 16th Fl · New York, NY 10001 34 Activist Guide AMNESTYUSA.ORG/DEMANDDIGNITY [email protected] SAMPLE BLOG POST

Help Stop Preventable Maternal Deaths MATERIALS | 35 By [Your Name, Group No., Amnesty International USA]

As you are reading this post, two women will die giving birth.

That’s because every ninety seconds, a woman – most likely living in poverty – dies from complications related to pregnancy or childbirth. That’s almost 1000 women every day, more than 350,000 women each year. The vast majority of these deaths are preventable. Though the majority of these deaths occur in developing coun- tries, developed nations are not immune.

These deaths represent violations of essential human rights, including the right to the highest attainable stan- dard of health, and the right to freedom from discrimination based on such factors as gender, race, ethnicity, immigration status, Indigenous status, or income level. Women dying in childbirth is not just a public health emergency – it is also a human rights crisis.

For many of us, maternal mortality may seem a distant and incomprehensible concern. “Women don’t really die giving birth anymore, do they?” we think. And, “That’s something that happened in the middle ages, not now.” Women dying in childbirth, however, is not a long-forgotten risk, it is not an isolated incident, and it is not restricted to far off lands. Nearly a thousand women die each day attempting to give life, including in the US, and many more suffer irreparable harm from near misses.

The United States Congress now has an opportunity to address these tragic statistics. In March, Representative John Conyers (D-MI) introduced the Maternal Health Accountability Act of 2011. This vital piece of legislation can make a real difference in the lives of pregnant women.

Congress should act quickly to pass the Maternal Health Accountability Act of 2011 into law.

A lack of adequate attention to maternal health continues to take the lives of hundreds of thousands of women and girls each year, and denies countless others their dignity. As Mamoud Fathalla, past president of the Inter- national Federation of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has said:

“Women are not dying of diseases we can’t treat… They are dying because societies have yet to make the deci- sion that their lives are worth saving.”

Constituents now have an opportunity to let lawmakers know that women’s lives ARE worth saving, and that they want more to be done to address maternal mortality both in the United States and around the world. They can take action to stop maternal deaths by urging their members of Congress to co-sponsor and support the Maternal Health Accountability Act of 2011. [Maternal Health Accountability Act of 2011] for a link to email your member of Congress, urging them to cosponsor and support this legislation.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA DEMAND DIGNITY: Mother’s Day 2011 DEMAND DIGNITY CAMPAIGN 5 Penn Plaza, 16th Fl · New York, NY 10001 35 Activist Guide AMNESTYUSA.ORG/DEMANDDIGNITY [email protected] every 90 Seconds A woman dies from Complications of Child­birth. Save the Date! We Can Change that.

Stand up for Moms this mother’s day. Event Details

This Mother’s Day, join the Demand Dignity Campaign in shining a light on the human rights crisis of maternal mortality, by participating in events in your community!

Find more events online today by visiting amnestyusa.org/mothersday Or use the contact info Below.

Local Contact Information

Mother's Day 2011 Maternal Health Event

Name City State Zip Email Phone

Jane Smith Anytown NY 12345 [email protected] 123-456-7890

MOTHER’S DAY 2011 EVENT REPORT FORM

Thank you for taking action in support of the right to maternal health this Mother’s Day! The following information will be used by the Demand Dignity Campaign to record all Mother’s Day events held by groups and members. Please submit this form to the Demand Dignity team no later than 30 days following your event by email to [email protected]. Events submitted prior to June 1st will be considered for inclusion as a feature in our upcoming Demand Dignity Monthly Digest!

Group name: ______Group #: ______Contact person: ______Contact email: ______Contact phone: ______ work  home  cell

Event name: ______Event date: ______Event location: ______Event details (including speakers and topics):

Number of attendees: ______Was there media coverage?  yes  no (if yes, please send copies of all media articles, footage, or links to the Demand Dignity team)

Which action(s) did participants take? ______How many actions were taken by participants? ______Would other materials have been useful at your event? If so, what kinds of materials?

Additional comments:

Don’t forget to send us pictures from your event so we can share them with fellow Dignity activists!

Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 3 million supporters, members, and activists in more than 150 countries and territories who campaign to end grave abuses of human rights. Our vision is for every person to enjoy all the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards. We are independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest, or religion, and are funded mainly by our membership and public donations.

Amnesty International’s Demand Dignity Campaign works to end the human rights abuses that imprison people in poverty. One prior- ity is the human rights scandal of maternal mortality, which takes the life of one woman every 90 seconds - 99% of them in develop- ing countries - in deaths that are almost always preventable. In the United States, it is more dangerous to give birth than in 49 other countries, and African-American women are at almost four times greater risk than white women.