Media Advisory
'Maternidades' Photo Exhibit by Bru Rovira Opens in Washington D.C.

The opening of the Spanish photographer's exhibition marks the launch of the Safe Motherhood Initiative

WHAT: The opening of Motherhood, an exhibit of photos by Spanish photojournalist Bru Rovira, coincides with the launch of the Safe Motherhood Initiative, which urges the countries of the Americas to renew their commitment and efforts to meet Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5 by reducing maternal mortality and achieving universal access to reproductive health by the year 2015.

The exhibit is a project of the Spanish Foundation "La Caixa", and consists of a series of photographs taken in 16 countries around the world by Spanish photojournalist Bru Rovira (Ortega y Gasset Award, 2004). The photographs reflect different situations where there is a common sentiment: motherhood. After Washington, 'Motherhood' will become a traveling exhibit, visiting the countries of the region that request it as part of the activities of the Safe Motherhood Initiative.

WHEN:

• Monday, Sept. 27, at 6:00 p.m.(for invited guests and the media)
• Tuesday, Sept. 28 to Thursday, Sept. 30, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (for the public)

WHERE: Marcus Garvey Hall of Culture, Organization of American States (OAS), 17th Street NW and Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20006.

WHO: Participants will include Her Royal Highness Infanta Cristina of Spain, director of the International Cooperation Program of the La Caixa Foundation; Marcela Suazo, regional director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and secretary of the Regional Working Group on Maternal Mortality; and Dr. Mirta Roses, director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Also attending will be ministers of health of the countries of the Americas, representatives of the private sector, members of the diplomatic corps, and other dignitaries.

WHY: The Safe Motherhood Initiative calls on the countries of the Americas to redouble their efforts to meet the MDG-5 targets of reducing maternal mortality by 75 percent between 1990 and 2015 and achieving universal access to reproductive health by 2015. In Latin America and the Caribbean, maternal mortality has been reduced by 41 percent between 1990 and 2008, but faster progress is needed to achieve the 75 percent reduction target set by 189 countries around the world.

RSVP: Members of the press who plan to cover this event should notify Sonia Mey-Schmidt, Media & Communication, PAHO, at Tel. (202) 974-3036, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

PAHO was established in 1902 and is the world’s oldest public health organization. It works with all the countries of the Americas to improve the health and quality of life of the people of the Americas and serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO).