Presenter Myleene Klass MBE is among a powerful line up of well-known figures – including actors Adjoa Andoh, Sir Stephen Fry, Sir Mark Rylance, singer Beverley Knight MBE, TV presenter and actor Laura Whitmore, doctor and TV presenter Dr. Ranj Singh, author and podcaster Giovanna Fletcher, journalist and author Yomi Adegoke, and founder of The Motherhood Group, Sandra Igwe MBE – pledging their support for the WaterAid’s new maternal health campaign: ‘Time to Deliver’, launching in parliament today.
They are founding signatories of the international development charity’s global petition calling on leaders to fund clean water in every health centre around the world. As part of the campaign WaterAid has launched a new report, ‘Born Without Water’, which exposes the shocking conditions many women face when giving birth.
Its startling new research reveals around three in four women in Sub-Saharan Africa give birth in unclean maternity wards. The poor conditions contribute to one in nine women developing maternal sepsis, with 36 women a day dying as result. Their survival rates are stark in contrast with women in Europe or North America as they’re 144 times more likely to die from maternal sepsis.
Myleene Klass MBE said:
I have for years championed better healthcare for women globally which is why I’m proud to support WaterAid’s Time to Deliver campaign.
No woman, wherever they live in the world, should have to face the life-changing experience of giving birth without clean water. As a mum, I can’t begin to imagine the fear and risk that comes with that. Clean water isn’t a luxury – it’s the absolute basics.
Another supporter of the campaign and co-signatory, TV presenter and actor, Laura Whitmore, said:
Every mother, wherever they live in the world, deserves to bring her baby into the world without fear of infections that could be prevented with access to the basics. We can help change this, and we must. I hope everyone will join me in signing WaterAid’s petition to bring vital change for women globally.
Actor Sir Mark Rylance, who played the 19th century doctor, Dr Semmelweis, whose groundbreaking practice of washing hands dramatically reduced the number of women dying in maternity wards, said:
In Dr Semmelweis’ day, we did not understand the science, today there is no such excuse. That’s why I’m supporting WaterAid’s Time to Deliver campaign – I urge you to join me.
WaterAid is calling on the UK government to protect funding for these essentials and place women and girls at the heart of its future development strategy.
Recent government cuts in international aid mean money for these essentials has been reduced and devalued from £206.5m in 2018 down to just £80m in 2024, with further reductions anticipated.
WaterAid’s Senior Policy Analyst for Health and Hygiene, Helen Hamilton, said:
We are overwhelmed and grateful for the support from such high-profile names for our campaign, Time to Deliver. They stand shoulder to shoulder with women across the globe demanding change. They share the outrage women feel at having to give birth without clean water, compromising their dignity and facing the threats of illness and death. Ignoring their demands stops now. Governments around the world must listen then act.
WaterAid is asking people to show their support for the campaign by signing a global petition to world leaders, ahead of the UN Water Conference in December.