Local volunteers rally for safer births worldwide

Volunteers are being called on to support a global effort to reduce preventable deaths in childbirth, with a Birthing Kit Assembly Day set for Maleny RSL on Saturday May 2.

Hosted by the Zonta Club of Blackall Range, the session will run from 9am to 12noon and will see community members come together to assemble clean birthing kits for distribution in low-resource regions around the world.

The event coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Birthing Kit Foundation Australia, which works to improve birth conditions through simple hygiene-based solutions and education.

Zonta Club of Blackall Range President Margy Henderson said the need remained urgent. “Every year, around 300,000 women and newborns still die during childbirth—many from preventable causes linked to poor hygiene and lack of medical resources,” she said.

“The Birthing Kit Foundation works to change that by providing clean birthing kits and education to women in remote, low-resource regions around the world.”

Locally, the Blackall Range club assembles more than 600 kits each year, with each one costing just $5 to produce.

“These simple yet essential kits are distributed through health facilities, traditional birth attendants, and community outreach programs, helping ensure safer births where medical care is limited,” Margy said.

Each kit contains basic items designed to reduce infection and improve hygiene during labour, birth and immediately after delivery. Community members can support the initiative by attending the assembly day or making a small donation.

• The Birthing Kit Assembly Day will be held at Maleny RSL on Saturday May 2 from 9am to 12noon. Contact Ally on 0405 128 434 or email service@zontablackallrange.org.au.

Zonta Club of Blackall Range members pack birthing kits to support safer births worldwide.