Zonta Club of Wollongong is holding its annual Birthing Kit Assembly Day on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Run in conjunction with St Mary's Star of the Sea College the club members and volunteers will assemble 1200 birthing kits at the school from 9am.
Zonta Club of Wollongong's Cecilie Yates said they are part of an international campaign to assist safe births in remote regions of developing countries where there is little or no assistance during childbirth.
"Every two minutes, a woman dies of complications related to pregnancy and childbirth," she said.
"With an estimated 300,000 women dying annually in childbirth, many from preventable infections, there is a great need for these birthing kits.
"The kits primary purpose is to deliver a clean birthing environment and to prevent infection".
Items assembled into a small press sealed bag to help with safe delivery of a child include a plastic sheet, soap, two gloves, a sterile scalpel blade, three cords and five gauze squares.
The kits are distributed with the assistance of a health professional who gives instructions on how to use them correctly and safely dispose the waste.
"During the year club members have raised funds to finance the project and works in partnership with The Birthing Kit Foundation (Australia)," Mrs Yates said.
Anyone who would like to help by volunteering on Saturday can call Julie on 4244 0768.
The Zonta Club of Wollongong is part of a global organisation that aims to empower women worldwide through service and advocacy.
It presently supports local women by providing packs and clothing to the Illawarra women's refuge, and study grants and awards to encourage and support women in education and business.
Read more: