Make Mothers Matter
This (academic) year we want to introduce you to Make Mothers Matter, an organisation that acts through advocacy, network and communication.
Let’s dive into our conversation with MMM’s Executive Director Afaf Abounouadar, who will properly introduce the organisation.
For those who may not be familiar, could you introduce Make Mothers Matter and share the core vision that drives your work?
Make Mothers Matter is a movement as much as an organisation. We’ve been around since 1947, connecting mothers across borders and bringing their voices where they are too often absent - in politics, in public debates, and in the design of our societies. At our heart is a very simple belief: when mothers are supported and valued, everyone benefits. Our vision is to make the invisible visible - to recognise the care mothers give, not as a private duty, but as a force that sustains communities and economies.
MMM operates internationally — what are some of the most pressing issues for mothers that you see emerging across different countries and cultures?
Afaf Abounouadar speaking at the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women
What strikes me most is how much mothers around the world share in common, even when circumstances are very different. In many places, the struggle is survival - ensuring children are safe, fed, and educated in the midst of conflict or poverty. In others, the challenge is the pressure to “do it all” - to be the perfect mother while also excelling at work, often without enough support. Across cultures, mothers talk about feeling unseen, stretched too thin, or judged. Yet they also speak about their determination, resilience, and creativity. That mix of struggle and strength is truly universal.
Your work spans policy, advocacy, and grassroots engagement. How do you balance these levels of action, and where do you feel change can be most impactful for mothers today?
We try to weave them together. Policy matters because it sets the rules of the game - things like childcare, parental leave, or healthcare access. But policy has to be shaped by reality, and that’s why we listen closely to mothers on the ground. Some of the most impactful change happens when mothers themselves are part of creating solutions - whether it’s starting local support groups, leading peace initiatives, or speaking at the UN. Real balance comes from making sure that the voices of everyday mothers echo all the way up to decision-makers.
Maternal mental health is something we discuss a lot at Cinemamas. It has gained more visibility in recent years, but stigma and structural barriers persist. What do you believe still needs to shift — politically, socially, or culturally — to make real progress?
First, we need to normalise the conversation. Too often mothers are told to stay silent or to “be strong.” But struggling doesn’t mean failing - it means you’re human. Politically, it means investing in accessible, affordable mental health services and recognising maternal mental health as a priority. Socially, it means dismantling the myth of the “perfect mother” and making space for honesty. Culturally, we need to rebuild the idea of community around mothers - because motherhood was never meant to be a solo act. Real progress will come when asking for help feels like a strength, not a weakness.
Many parents in the creative industries face instability and long working hours. From MMM’s perspective, what lessons from your work could be applied to industries like film and television to better support mothers and families?
The creative industries thrive on stories and imagination - and yet they can be brutal for parents. One lesson from our work is that flexibility and predictability matter enormously. Simple changes - like family-friendly production schedules, on-site childcare, or job-sharing - can make a huge difference. But beyond logistics, there’s also a cultural shift needed: to stop seeing parenthood as a career setback and start recognising it as an experience that brings depth, empathy, and fresh perspective. Mothers in creative fields often channel their lived realities into their art - that’s a gift, not a limitation.
You often highlight the importance of recognising the economic and social value of unpaid care work. How can we reframe the way societies and governments see motherhood in order to drive systemic change?
We need to flip the script. Motherhood is too often treated as a private matter - “your choice, your responsibility” - when in fact, mothers are raising the next generation of citizens, workers, and leaders. That is an enormous public contribution. If governments and societies began to see care as infrastructure - just as essential as roads or schools - we would invest in it properly. By valuing unpaid care, through policies and also through cultural recognition, we not only honour mothers but also build more balanced, humane societies.
As MMM looks to the future, what projects or priorities are you most excited about that could shape the next chapter of your advocacy?
I’m excited about the growing global momentum around the “care economy.” As a result of our continuous advocacy on this topic, a care resolution was adopted by the United Nations at the UN Commission on Social Development very recently, advancing the recognition of care work. This was a major victory for MMM reflecting our commitment to elevating the voices of mothers who are the world’s primary caregivers and pushing for policies that value and support care work worldwide. Investing in care is not just a social issue but an economic necessity.
I’m also passionate about our work on maternal mental health - breaking silences (we have produced podcasts and conducted interviews with mental health experts), pushing for systemic support, and changing the way we talk about it.
The private sector is another domain that requires our attention. We have begun collaborating with organisations to change the workplace landscape by making it fairer and more equitable for working mothers and families.
On a more personal note: what gives you hope when working in this space, and what message would you like to share with mothers who may be struggling to balance care, work, and personal identity?
What gives me hope is mothers themselves. Time and again, I see women finding strength in impossible situations, building networks of support, and driving change. Every time I see one of our priority topics gaining attention and momentum in public debates, I am energised to continue the fight on their behalf.
To mothers who are struggling, I’d say this: your worth is not measured by how perfectly you juggle everything. You are allowed to rest, to ask for help, to prioritise yourself. The care you give has immense value - but so does your identity, your creativity, your dreams. You are not alone, and we at MMM make sure of that – that you matter and that your voice is heard loud and clear. Join our movement.
If you want to learn more about Make Mothers Matter or get involved, head to their website for more information.