The present-day celebration of Mother’s Day has ancient roots: it dates back to the Greco-Roman world and goes through the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

Getting closer to the present day, in the mid-1800s Ann Reeves Jarvis combatted infant mortality from disease and contaminated milk and to subsequently educate families on proper precautions. Three years after her death, the daughter organized a commemorative day in May for all the mothers and that’s the main event remembered today for this celebration.

Unfortunately, Mother’s Day has also been exploited for other purposes. For example, in Italy during Fascism, on December 24^th it was celebrated as “Mother and Child Day” with the purpose of propaganda and exaltation of the fertile and child-bearing woman.

Nowadays, Mother’s Day is a celebration observed in many parts of the world to show respect, honour, and love for mothers. It is a day dedicated to recognizing the contributions of mothers, appreciating the strength of maternal bonds, and acknowledging the vital role they play in society. While the date of celebration varies across countries, the most common months for it are March (8^th March coinciding with Women’s Day in the Balkan countries – Albania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Romania; sping equinox on 20^th March in many Arab countries) and May (first Sunday of May in Spain, Portugal, Hungary and Lithuania; last Sunday of May in France, Sweden, Morocco, Cameroon.

Started in November 2023, Mother Matters project aims to promote the mental well-being of new and expectant mothers with and without disabilities, with a special focus on inclusion, diversity, and accessibility. Through innovative tools freely available on the website (www.momsproject.eu), awareness campaigns, and collaboration with professionals, the project supports women during one of the most transformative — and sometimes vulnerable — times of their lives. The MoMs project aims to support a society that is sensitised to the issue and more culturally open-minded. In addition, it aims to raise awareness, break down barriers and promote best practices.