There are still many prejudices related to the world of disability, especially when it comes to affectivity, sexuality or parenthood. There are many women with disabilities who are discouraged from becoming mothers and who feel judged daily for their desire for autonomy. It is thought that a woman with disabilities is not capable of pursuing a career, a social and emotional life, a pregnancy and raising children. And those who want to do so are left alone, looking for professionals without specific training.

Article 23 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities states: "States Parties shall take effective and appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against persons with disabilities in all matters relating to marriage, family, parenting and relationships, on an equal basis with others".

Mother Matters (MoMs) project, through its products, aims to spread awareness of motherhood for women with disabilities among health/educational professionals and among people with disabilities themselves. The aim is to bridge the communication and knowledge gap at national and European level.

The consortium is composed by five organizations, from four countries: Italy (Istituto dei Sordi di Torino), Spain (COCEMFE Sevilla and Let Her In), Bulgaria (European Development Foundation) and Cyprus (Citizens In Power) with balanced skills.

After one year of project (it started in November 2023), on the website people can freey read the first product: the Research Book. It looks at the legal and cultural context and awareness movements around the right of persons with disabilities to parenthood. It synthesises findings from nationwide research, intimate focus groups with women with disabilities, and analyses of professionals’ perspectives for an examination of motherhood in this context. It is available in the partners' oral languages (Italian, Spanish, Catalan, Bulgarian, Greek, English) and Sign Languages as well in the YouTube channel of the project.

The consortium is now working on the second product: the Self Assessment Tool both for healthcare and educative professionals, and for people with disabilities. The Self Assessment Tool wants to make the target groups aware of their knowledges about the theme of the rishts of women with disabilities about motherhood.

Facebook page of the project: Mother Matters 

Instagram page of the project: moms.mothermatters