Push for maternal grant to support expectant mothers

Despite government spending R267 billion a year on social grants, pregnant women still receive no direct financial support from the state.

Advocates say this gap leaves many expectant mothers extremely vulnerable at a critical point in their lives.

The MSG Advocacy Coalition, a network of NGOs and researchers, is calling on government to commit to introducing the proposed monthly Maternal Support Grant (MSG).

The proposed grant would provide payments to pregnant women for nine months, helping them meet basic needs such as food and healthcare.

Julie Mentor from Embrace - The Movement for Mothers says the concerns that the money could be misused are unfounded.

"We know there are about 26 other countries that have similar social protection...The evidence from those grants shows that women use those grants to support the needs of themselves and their unborn babies."

Research shows the policy would cost about R2 billion annually, which is 0.1% of total government spending.

"We have every reason to believe that the 800,000 pregnant women who would be eligible for this grant every year will use it to support the very real labour and work which comes with pregnancy," says Mentor.