Here are some things you can do to promote MDG 5 (Improve Maternal Health) in your national policy agenda.

What can governments do?

• Establish and/or support the implementation of a national action plan for scaling up maternal and newborn health services.
• Allocate needed financial and human resources towards achieving MDGs 4 and 5.
• Increase coverage of key maternal and newborn health coverage and services, ensuring in particular that they reach the poor and underserved.

What can civil society or community-based organizations do?

• Advocate for increased government political commitment, investment and accountability for maternal and newborn health.
• Bring together interested friends and organizations into an advocacy or accountability coalition focused on tracking government or donor commitments to maternal health.
• Talk to media representatives about the commitments your government made and about women’s urgent need for those commitments to be kept.

What can health providers do?

• Share the three core strategies for improving maternal health (comprehensive reproductive health care, skilled care during and immediately after pregnancy and childbirth, and emergency obstetric care for life-threatening complications when they develop) with your national ob/gyn, midwifery or nursing professional associations and with other health providers.
• With your colleagues, document what you need to improve maternal health in your own facility. Involve clinic officials in brainstorming ways to move forward.

What can media do?

• Visit local maternal health facilities for stories about the status of maternal health care in your audience area. Use Women Deliver facts and figures and Focus on 5 for context.
• Contact civil society organizations, health providers and health officials about what they need to improve your country's maternal and newborn health.

What can students and young advocates do?

• Use your social networks to share what you are doing with friends and family and inspire them to join our global movement.  
• Create an information booth at your school or community center to raise awareness about safe motherhood, and encourage individuals to visit our website and join the cause.