by Nadia Ramoutar   MMM Communications Coordinator                  Ireland                                  23.05.2026

Looking at what is in the news and what is happening with world politics, it can have the effect of becoming almost “normal”. Oh, there were bombs, deaths, threats…and on and on. It is like a soundtrack playing constantly behind the activities of our everyday life. But if we don’t in some way mute the noise of tragedy, we cannot function with the tasks and responsibilities required of us. But, we also don’t want to become robots or machines who don’t care about peace or seeking it, and have resolved ourselves to tragedy.

What are we to do?

Many of us find that prayer, reflection, walks in nature and talking to a trusted person can all be helpful. But even still it is easy to feel helpless. We are faced with challenges that seem greater than any effort we can possibly give.

For me, part of my coping is to look at what I can actually do in the world and how I can make a difference. This has brought me fully committed to issues for global health for girls and women. In particular, I am working hard to promote and educate about the MMM Sisters work in maternal health and pushing an agenda that all women deserve to survive a healthy childbirth experience.

Sadly, in parts of the world, this is not the case. For those who do survive in Sub-Saharan Africa, too many are left with a severe wound in the vaginal area known as an obstetric fistula. We have created a coalition of other people and agencies who also care about this issue called Safe Birth 4 All. Since this is a wound experienced during prolonged labour it can be prevented and also treated. It used to be a major issue in our western world here but for the past 100 years or so it has not been here due to improvements in health care and other quality of life markers for women.

So this May we are hosting a half-day Safe Birth 4 All Conference in Dublin. People can attend online or can join us in person for no cost. Lunch is provided for those who attend in person. I invite you to get educated about this issue which not enough people know about or understand is a social justice and humanitarian issue along with a medical one. It is brutal to the girl and women’s mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health as they are subjected to neglect and abuse as they leak urine and faeces uncontrollably. What a horrible experience!

Our website www.safebirth4all.com has more information and if you email us at safebirth4all@gmail.com we will gladly you sign you up. If you can’t attend continue to please support us in prayer or with donations. This is a war we can win.