In some societies, usually Latin or Muslim ones, Terre des hommes (Tdh) is involved in prevention and protection activities in relation with maternal abandonment. This is, for example, the case in Romania and in Morocco. As for Romania, severe poverty together with the poor social structures inherited from the Ceausescu communist regime explain why maternal abandonment still remains a reality with heavy social consequences.

In Morocco and Algeria, this can be explained by the huge gap existing between a strong political will favouring social openness and a still very religious culture and ethic, that leads women to being ostracized. Terre des hommes is therefore organizing prevention campaigns and is also setting up programmes aimed at supporting existing social structures.


Terre des hommes' vision
How is it possible for a mother to abandon her own newborn child? For most of the people, this seems unconceivable. It is nevertheless a phenomenon that, even if it doesn’t take on systematic proportions, still remains a preoccupying one.

Terre des hommes defines maternal abandonment as when “the abandoned child receives no visit from his family for many months” This definition stems from observations made in hospitals and specialized institutions. In countries where social and sanitary structures are still in the process of being built, there is a lack of procedures and know-how to deal with these cases.
And yet, abandonment has tragic consequences on the child : emotional deficiency, psychomotor backwardness or, eventually, more probabilities to be trafficked or to become one more child in the street situation.

In Romania, the problem is directly related to the pauperisation of society, to economic marginalization and to the fact that many women, poor people and minorities (such as the Roms) lack education. To this can one can add major deficiencies in terms of social care for population at risks.

As for Algeria and Morocco, we can see how the new social policy supported by King Mohammed VI, for example, is still coming up against strong oppositions coming from a big part of the society which moral culture overprotects men to the detriment of women and answers for a form of social pressure that leads to maternal abandonment.


Terre des hommes' action
In Romania, a preliminary study allowed to see that the level of maternal abandonment in maternity hospitals (2% on average!) was a lot lower when these structures could rely on social work benefits. Our work therefore unfolds in three directions: first, developing access to education and promoting a healthy picture of women and mothers.

Second, preventing unwanted pregnancies through a better education and the creation of centres of family planning in the most underprivileged areas. And, third, work at largely developing social work by supporting the training of social worker, the creation of social structures integrated into public services and home visits for family at risks.

In Algeria, where Terre des hommes has been active since 1960, we are supporting a local association offering day nurseries in the most vulnerable zones. We also take part in a network of NGOs involved in this project.
We do not only offer material assistance but psychological, legal, social and medical assistance as well. Mothers are being trained and we then also help them find employment. As for the children, we follow them up in order to prevent them from being abandoned under even worse circumstances at a later stage.

In Morocco, Terre des hommes is a renowned actor in the unmarried mothers field. Together with both our partners, successful actions are being set up with the aim to create prevention projects, without wanting to offer assistance at all costs. We favour a family approach, in a spirit of conciliation, indeed even of follow up aiming at familial reintegration. We also encourage and build up solidarity networks amongst the women themselves and build day nurseries.


A scene from real life
Without the persuasion power of our social workers, Mihaela’s (23 years old) and Loredana’s (her baby) paths would have parted 2 years ago already …
Mihaela received financial assistance that allowed her to buy food for her daughter and to rent a flat for them. Moreover, Terre des hommes had her trained and so Mihaela could get a job. Mihaela was without family and Loredana’s father had left so, without this assistance, she would have abandoned her daughter right after delivery. “Today, I have learnt to set priorities and to fight for my child’s best interest”. An example of pure happiness that speaks for itself…