International aid agency Save the Children released the report on Sunday, Mother’s Day in Burma. “The Urban Disadvantage: State of the World’s Mothers 2015” included the data collection of the wellbeing of mothers and children from 179 countries across the world.
“This year, Burma is ranked at 158. But in 2014, it was at 157. We can say it has taken a backward step,” said U Thet Ko Ko, media officer [in Burma] for Save the Children.
U Thet Ko Ko added that Norway is ranked as number one for the wellbeing of mothers and children.
The ranking was based on five indicators;
“Well being of mothers’ health, health of children, standard of education, work opportunities, and the participation of women in politics are the five indicators that were used for ranking,” continued U Thet Ko Ko.
Myanmar had a mere 4.7% of women seated in parliament. Extremely low in comparison to neighbouring Bangladesh (20%) and China (23.6%).
The report also exposed the global gap in healthcare between the urban rich and poor stating that over half of the world’s impoverished now live in cities.
“Although the living conditions of mothers and children in Burma have improved since last year, Burma remains as one of the poorest countries,” said Dr. Khin Sabal Maung, healthcare advisor of Save the Children (Burma).
The death rate of mothers in Burma is 1 out of 250, while 5 year-old children death rate is 1 in 19 children.
Save the Children urged groups that are working for the development of mothers and children to bring them up to the world standard.
Save the Children established its office in Burma in 1995, and has since been working for the needs of mothers and children in 12 states and divisions in Burma.
