Ten stories, ten women: A glimpse into the many faces of motherhood

Across the world, mothers and maternal figures are working hard every day to give their children the best possible start in life. Their influence can be seen in the everyday moments that help children feel safe, valued and supported as they grow. 

We’re sharing ten stories from communities around the world that reflect the care, strength and connection shared between maternal figures and the children they support. From Bangladesh to Bolivia, these everyday moments offer a glimpse into the realities of motherhood and caregiving– many supported by local programs and services delivered with the help of UNICEF. 

1. Bangladesh

In the face of danger and uncertainty, mothers will always do what they can to keep their children safe. 

The June 2024 floods in Bangladesh affected more than two million people, including over 772,000 children, disrupting childhoods across the country. UNICEF is working alongside the government and local partners to deliver clean water and emergency supplies to families impacted by the crisis. 

2. State of Palestine

Surrounded by her four children in their makeshift home, Fatima reflects on the challenges they face.  

“I am displaced with my family and I have nothing here,” she says. “The situation is very difficult for us.” Despite illness and uncertainty, Fatima continues to care for her children under incredibly hard conditions. 

3. Ethiopia

In Ethiopia’s western region, Nyamuach is raising three young children after the loss of her husband. When floods damaged their home, she and her children– Nyalat, Mathiang, and Nyakoat– took temporary shelter in a nearby church before returning.  

“Now it is difficult as I am on my own and have to take care of the children,” she says. She sometimes collects wood to sell and continues to manage daily life under challenging conditions. Despite the challenges, Nyamuach is doing all she can to support her family.

 4. Madagascar 

Maho brought her newborn daughter, Angelinah, for her first polio vaccine just one day after she was born– a crucial step in protecting children from preventable diseases. 

Their home sits in a marshy area prone to flooding, where clean water and sanitation are limited. “I want to protect her,” Maho says, as she gently tucks her daughter under a bed net. For mothers like Maho, care begins from the very first days. 

5. Australia

Every parent wants the best for their little ones. Yet, for some parents in Australia, the challenges of registering their children’s birth can hinder access to essential services like education and sports. 

Monique, a mother of three, has been trying to get her eldest daughter’s birth registered for nearly ten years. Without the children’s father’s ID or her own birth certificate, she found the process difficult and could not apply for one.   

Thanks to the additional support offered by UNICEF Australia’s community partner, Pathfinders, Monique has been able to register her children’s births and receive her own birth certificate.

As a mother, this has been a weight off Monique’s shoulders, knowing that they all have their birth certificates – and all the opportunities a birth certificate offers.   

6. Vietnam

In Vietnam, Ms. Hoàng is raising her eight-year-old son, Lộc, as a single mother while working full-time. To help manage their daily routine, she’s taught Lộc to be independent– he rides to school on his own and helps with cooking, cleaning, and laundry. In the evenings, they study together and share stories about their day.  

Hoàng is one of many parents who have taken part in a UNICEF-supported parenting program, which brings families together to share experiences and strengthen support for children’s development. 

7. Yemen

In Yemen, Sanad is healthy and active after recovering from severe acute malnutrition diagnosed when he was just four months old.  

With support from a therapeutic feeding centre and ongoing care from his family, Sanad is now thriving at home. His story reflects the vital role mothers and caregivers play in nurturing recovery, even in the most challenging conditions. 

8. Papua New Guinea

Hellen teaches a class of 30 at an Early Childhood Development (ECD) school in Papua New Guinea. Her students, including her daughter Rodah, range from seven to 12-year-olds. When she’s at work, Hellen’s two younger children are taken care of by her sister-in-law. 

While it takes Hellen over an hour every day to get to the school via bus, many of her students choose to stay home instead to avoid travelling great lengths in the rainy weather. With no government funding, ECD schools rely on support from UNICEF and other organisations to provide services to build and maintain their students’ wellbeing and growth.  

“I am appreciative that I get to go to the school every day to give children the same opportunities that I had,” Hellen said. 

 9. Ghana

In many families, maternal care is shared across aunties, cousins, and grandmothers. Women like Vera show how maternal roles are often carried by extended family, creating strong networks of care around children. 

10. Bolivia

Sandra is raising her seven-year-old daughter Nathaly while balancing law studies and work as a designer. As a single mother, her days are full, but moments with Nathaly—whether painting, dancing, or helping with schoolwork—remain central.  

“I try to be there for my daughter as much as I can,” she says. Sandra is supported by her mother and grandmother, forming four generations of Cholitas—Aymara Indigenous women known for their cultural strength and resilience. Together, they’ve created a household rooted in love, tradition, and the belief that women can stand on their own two feet. 

For every mother, for every carer, for every child 

These stories offer a glimpse into the many forms motherhood can take—rooted in care, connection, and the everyday acts that shape a child’s life. 

With support from UNICEF and our partners, families are accessing the services they need to keep children safe, healthy and included. From early education to healthcare and legal identity, these efforts strengthen the bonds that hold communities together.  

Together, we can help recognise and celebrate all the women—mothers, grandmothers, aunts, cousins and carers—who support children every day, in countless ways.