Wellington, October 19, 2009: A fabulous line-up of New Zealand female musicians will take part in Safe and Sound – a concert in support of maternal health in the Pacific at the San Francisco Bathhouse, Wellington, on October 22. Organised by Family Planning International, the concert will include sets from Jess Chambers, Lisa Tomlins, Iva Lamkum, Bella Kalolo, Tessa Rain and DJ Ayesha.
The concert aims to increase New Zealand’s support for maternal health in the Pacific, whilst at the same time providing a night of quality homegrown entertainment.
Five women die every day in the Pacific during pregnancy or childbirth. That’s 1825 women annually. At the global level, every minute another woman dies needlessly during pregnancy and childbirth.
“These maternal deaths are overwhelmingly preventable tragedies. New Zealand must invest more in maternal and overall sexual and reproductive health in order to help prevent such tragic deaths of Pacific women”, Director of International Development at Family Planning International, Joanna Spratt, said.
Many women in the Pacific do not get the information and services they need for good maternal health, including family planning, skilled birth attendants, safe and clean supplies and facilities, as well as emergency care if required.
There are frequent reports of pregnant women in several Pacific countries being transported for hours or even days in the arms of their relatives or in open canoes in order to reach health services. If they do make it safely, they then face the risk of maternal death due to a lack of appropriate quality services.
“This concert has brought New Zealand female musicians together around a really worthwhile cause. I’m convinced that New Zealand must do everything we can to support maternal health in our own backyard”, said Lisa Tomlins who will be playing a set at Safe and Sound.
Papua New Guinea (PNG), the Solomon Islands, Kiribati and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) report the highest rates of maternal deaths in the Pacific region. The sub-region of Melanesia has the worst reported rates of maternal deaths in the Pacific.
Background
Safe and Sound, Thursday October 22,, 2009, San Francisco Bathhouse, Cuba Street, Wellington.
Doors open 7pm, Show Starts 7.30pm. Tickets: Full: $15, Concession $10. Tickets available from Real Groovy or www.undertheradar.co.nz. Seating limited on the night. R18 venue.
Family Planning International is the international unit of Family Planning New Zealand and works to motivate awareness and action so that all people can enjoy sexual and reproductive health and rights. The unit has a particular focus on the Pacific region.
Contact Naomi Williams, Family Planning International, Tel: +64 (0)4 801 2622, Mobile + 64 (0) 21 678 592, Email: Naomi.Williams@familyplanning.org.nz