Who are we?
EMMA Association is a national women’s organization, which works for the fundamental rights and societal equality of women, paying special attention to gender-based oppression and violence against women during the childbearing and childrearing period.
We recognize the transformative power of personal and collective recovery of traumas, the empowering potential of peer-support, and the need for nurturing reflection and resiliency. We pay special attention to women living in disadvantageous situations.
Our Values
We believe in the power of cooperation and solidarity amongst women. We encourage women to stand up for themselves and each-other, and take responsibility for social change.
We believe that each woman deserves dignity, security, freedom and self-determination in every single moment of their lives regardless of their social status. We live and look at the life of women in its complexity, and are convinced that some of its aspects and challenges are related to each-other. Therefore we are committed to cooperate with other women’s organizations and groups.
Our fundamental values are freedom, authenticity, tolerance and joy – for which we strive at personal, organizational and community level.
Our Activities
EMMA Helpline – 06 80 414 565
The Helpline is an anonymously available low-level entrance helpline service for women facing difficulties in motherhood, primarily for those who had traumatising experiences in maternity care or are survivors of obstetric violence. It is operated by trained volunteers and can be called free of charge from the territory of Hungary. You can call us with any difficulties of motherhood and your call will be answered by a non-judgmental, accepting peer supporter. You can call us if:
- You have questions about becoming a mother,
- You are a victim of obstetric violence,
- Becoming or being a mother feels difficult,
- You would like to talk about your birth experience.
EMMA Hubs
EMMA Hubs are about us, our thousand-faced realities as women expecting or bringing up children.
EMMA Hubs provide a safe place where we can discuss topics concerning our lives, we can learn and exchange experiences. Together we think about what we need and what we can do for each-other.
We explore the ways in which women can integrate activism, paid employment, motherhood, personal interests, and prioritize self-led initiatives that make social justice and solidarity strong and live values. We provide a safe space to acknowledge emotions that are between us and reality. Sharing our experiences, recognizing ourselves in the stories of our peers bring recovery and power to change/act. You can participate in both offline and online EMMA Hubs for free of charge. Sessions are held by our staff members and volunteers who stand beside you both as professionals and peers.
Community doula service
Disadvantaged women are more exposed to obstetric violence, their reproductive and birth rights get violated to a large extent due to their social and financial status. In order to tackle this situation, we have established the first community doula service in Hungary together with Regina Foundation. The doula service operates in Alsózsolca, East-Hungary, making doula support available for disadvantaged Roma women for free of charge; encourages their activism and self-organization. We aim to make the doula support available for every mother regardless their place of residence and financial status.
Women living in homelessness
In 2021 we started cooperation with BMSZKI (the largest homeless service provider of Budapest) in developing an internal policy and guidelines of a newly established gynaecology department specifically designed for homeless women. Besides, EMMA is providing training for support workers on trauma and the peculiarities of support work with childbearing women.
Social activism
Our mission is to turn difficult and often devastating maternal experiences into activism to promote social change. What do we do to achieve this? We collaborate regularly with other NGOs to explore the root causes behind the key difficulties mothers face. We are monitoring closely the changes in the Hungarian health system and we continuously interpret mothers’ demands and interests to the relevant authorities. Building women’s communities through EMMA Hubs also serves this purpose too.
Humanitarian project
Our staff immediately sprang to action at the onset of the Russian invasion, distributing flyers by volunteers at the main refugee care points and accompanying women to healthcare appointments to help advocate for their rights.
Since the beginning of the war hundreds of women have been helped personally during their child rearing period for weeks or months through the doula system or after giving birth. We reached an additional 500-1000 women with IEC materials for expectant mothers all over the country in every refugee reception centre and healthcare providers, travelling 100s of kms to reach these Roma women.
Fotó: Hannah Maule-ffinch, IPPF
If you require any further information, feel free to contact us: info@emmaegyesulet.hu
