"What Does Your Bag Say About You?" International NGO WaterAid Reveals Maternal Bags of Expectant Mothers Worldwide Highlight Inequalities in Maternal and Child Health
In conjunction with International Midwives' Day on May 5th and Mother's Day on May 10th, WaterAid, an international NGO for water and sanitation, is showcasing photos and videos of women from 12 countries, including Japan, the UK, Ethiopia, Canada, Ghana, and Malawi, to share their joys, hopes, and anxieties before childbirth. The organization highlights the severe reality surrounding women through the differences in what expectant mothers around the world pack in their maternity bags as part of its global campaign "Time to Deliver."
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- 📰 Published: May 9, 2026 at 00:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 8, 2026 at 15:32
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 8, 2026 at 21:14 (5h 42m after Collected)
In conjunction with "International Midwives' Day" on May 5th and "Mother's Day" on May 10th, WaterAid is showcasing the joys, hopes, and anxieties of women anticipating childbirth through photos and videos of women from 12 countries, including Japan, the UK, Ethiopia, Canada, Ghana, and Malawi.
"When labor starts, the midwife leaves the delivery room to fetch water. Usually, the birth is over before the midwife returns. That's what happened to me. I wish water was available here."
— Miatta (9 months pregnant, Grand Cape Mount County, Liberia)
"I can't imagine having to give birth while carrying unnecessary worries like dirty water. Women shouldn't have to bear such unnecessary burdens. What I want to tell world leaders is to have 'imagination.' I want them to have imagination and courage, and to act."
— Ayako (43, Tokyo)
From items like razors, bleach, plastic sheets, and buckets for fetching water, to smartphones, breast pumps, and absorbent cotton, WaterAid, as part of its global campaign "Time to Deliver*1," has revealed what expectant mothers around the world pack in their maternity bags, and through these differences, shed light on the severe realities surrounding women.
While many women share common items like baby clothes, swaddling blankets, water bottles, and canteens, the differences in the contents of each bag reflect the environment in which childbirth takes place. From this, the reality of deeply rooted inequalities in global maternal and child health emerges.
Globally, one woman gives birth every two seconds without basic water and sanitation facilities. As a result, over 16 million women annually are exposed to the risk of life-threatening infections that could otherwise be prevented. This means that what women bring to childbirth can be either "essential for survival" or "support for the comfort of mother and child," depending on the country/region where they give birth and the extent to which water and toilets are available.
Rose (Malawi)
At Nakumba Health Center in Mangochi District, Malawi, 20-year-old Rose is awaiting childbirth. Rose's bag contains a bucket for fetching water, a razor and thread for cutting and treating the umbilical cord, and a chitenge cloth (traditional Malawian fabric) and hat to wrap her newborn baby.
Rose, who is about to give birth for the first time, says:
"There's no water in the toilet at this facility, so I carry water from the tap outside. There's a shortage of everything here, like brooms, soap, and mops. What I need most right now is soap. Because I need to wash my hands after using the toilet. Without soap, I can't keep my hands clean enough. It's a really tough situation."
Amira, expecting her first child (UK)
In the UK, 34-year-old Amira is also expecting her first child. Amira's prepared items include a water bottle, toiletries, and a special item inherited from her mother. Amira says:
"I prepared this water bottle with a straw because I heard it's very good for staying hydrated during labor. And then, I have a precious item I'm taking as a charm, which is this bracelet. My mother wore it when I was a child. Wearing it reminds me of my mother and home."
"I never knew that somewhere in the world, one woman gives birth every two seconds without adequate clean water or toilet facilities. It's terrifying. It's essential that all women have access to clean water during childbirth. Keeping yourself and your baby clean, having drinking water during labor, and being able to respond to the risk of infection are important in all healthcare, but especially crucial during childbirth."
Lloyd, living in Addis Ababa, the capital (Ethiopia)
Lloyd, 31, who runs a beauty salon in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, says:
"People living in cities like Addis Ababa are in a relatively privileged environment with easier access to basic services. However, looking at the country as a whole, there are many women who cannot even obtain the minimum necessities. I believe that improving access to water and raising awareness about hygiene should be prioritized as the first step towards a better life."
"In my hospital bag, I have comfortable pajamas and painkillers if needed. The most important item among them is the swaddling blanket my mother-in-law gave me. My husband was raised wrapped in it, and now our children will use it."
Anshiya (Ethiopia)
"When labor starts, the midwife leaves the delivery room to fetch water. Usually, the birth is over before the midwife returns. That's what happened to me. I wish water was available here."
— Miatta (9 months pregnant, Grand Cape Mount County, Liberia)
"I can't imagine having to give birth while carrying unnecessary worries like dirty water. Women shouldn't have to bear such unnecessary burdens. What I want to tell world leaders is to have 'imagination.' I want them to have imagination and courage, and to act."
— Ayako (43, Tokyo)
From items like razors, bleach, plastic sheets, and buckets for fetching water, to smartphones, breast pumps, and absorbent cotton, WaterAid, as part of its global campaign "Time to Deliver*1," has revealed what expectant mothers around the world pack in their maternity bags, and through these differences, shed light on the severe realities surrounding women.
While many women share common items like baby clothes, swaddling blankets, water bottles, and canteens, the differences in the contents of each bag reflect the environment in which childbirth takes place. From this, the reality of deeply rooted inequalities in global maternal and child health emerges.
Globally, one woman gives birth every two seconds without basic water and sanitation facilities. As a result, over 16 million women annually are exposed to the risk of life-threatening infections that could otherwise be prevented. This means that what women bring to childbirth can be either "essential for survival" or "support for the comfort of mother and child," depending on the country/region where they give birth and the extent to which water and toilets are available.
Rose (Malawi)
At Nakumba Health Center in Mangochi District, Malawi, 20-year-old Rose is awaiting childbirth. Rose's bag contains a bucket for fetching water, a razor and thread for cutting and treating the umbilical cord, and a chitenge cloth (traditional Malawian fabric) and hat to wrap her newborn baby.
Rose, who is about to give birth for the first time, says:
"There's no water in the toilet at this facility, so I carry water from the tap outside. There's a shortage of everything here, like brooms, soap, and mops. What I need most right now is soap. Because I need to wash my hands after using the toilet. Without soap, I can't keep my hands clean enough. It's a really tough situation."
Amira, expecting her first child (UK)
In the UK, 34-year-old Amira is also expecting her first child. Amira's prepared items include a water bottle, toiletries, and a special item inherited from her mother. Amira says:
"I prepared this water bottle with a straw because I heard it's very good for staying hydrated during labor. And then, I have a precious item I'm taking as a charm, which is this bracelet. My mother wore it when I was a child. Wearing it reminds me of my mother and home."
"I never knew that somewhere in the world, one woman gives birth every two seconds without adequate clean water or toilet facilities. It's terrifying. It's essential that all women have access to clean water during childbirth. Keeping yourself and your baby clean, having drinking water during labor, and being able to respond to the risk of infection are important in all healthcare, but especially crucial during childbirth."
Lloyd, living in Addis Ababa, the capital (Ethiopia)
Lloyd, 31, who runs a beauty salon in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, says:
"People living in cities like Addis Ababa are in a relatively privileged environment with easier access to basic services. However, looking at the country as a whole, there are many women who cannot even obtain the minimum necessities. I believe that improving access to water and raising awareness about hygiene should be prioritized as the first step towards a better life."
"In my hospital bag, I have comfortable pajamas and painkillers if needed. The most important item among them is the swaddling blanket my mother-in-law gave me. My husband was raised wrapped in it, and now our children will use it."
Anshiya (Ethiopia)